A toast to a Cornish icon – Scillonian Salute marks ferry’s final chapter
Two historic Cornish businesses have joined forces to raise a glass in honour of Scillonian III in the beloved ship’s final season.
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group and St Austell Brewery have created Scillonian Salute, a limited-edition commemorative beer that captures the spirit of the crossing and the community is has served for almost five decades.
Scillonian III provides a vital passenger link between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly, becoming a much-loved and instantly recognisable part of island life for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
The 2026 season, which runs until November, is her final year in service before she is replaced by the state-of-the-art Scillonian IV, which is currently being built and is scheduled to enter service in March 2027.
Scillonian Salute is a commemorative ale (3.4% ABV) rich in malt, toffee and biscuit flavours and will be available on cask from May 1st – just in time for gig weekend – in just seven St Austell Brewery pubs that are closely linked with the location of the crossing.
On St Mary’s, these are The Atlantic and the Bishop and Wolf; on the mainland they are the Ship Inn, Mousehole; Harbour Inn, Porthleven; The Dolphin, Penzance; the Logan Rock Inn, Penzance and Fisherman’s Arms, Newlyn.
Stuart Reid, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “This collaboration feels a fitting way to celebrate Scillonian III. Both companies are deeply woven into Cornwall’s cultural and economic fabric, and both understand the emotional pull of Scillonian III. We are delighted to have partnered with St Austell Brewery on this project.”
This year, St Austell Brewery marks 175 years since Walter Hicks set up the business in Cornwall back in 1851 – a milestone few independent breweries can claim. Pint by pint, the proudly family-owned business has grown into one of the South West’s most recognisable names in brewing, hospitality and drinks wholesale, with 164 pubs spanning the region.
Its iconic beers – Tribute, Proper Job and korev among them – are poured in pubs and available in supermarkets nationwide, including on the Isles of Scilly in its managed pub The Atlantic and its tenanted pub the Bishop and Wolf.
Although a century and three‑quarters on, St Austell Brewery’s spirit feels much the same – proudly independent and brewing great experiences for the generations to come.
Laura Plum, Marketing and Communications Director, St Austell Brewery said: “Scillonian III has served as one of the most important lifelines for locals and tourists in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – a vessel that hasn’t just carried passengers but has served as a vital link that our communities rely on. We’re proud to partner in celebrating her final year of service. As a fellow business rooted in the South West, this collaboration allows us to raise a glass to her legacy, and to the islands and communities she has connected for generations.”
For the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group this partnership is about more than marking an ending, it’s about celebrating decades of memories made at sea. Families returning year after year, day-trippers braving the swell, islands relying on the service – Scillonian III has carried them all.
Scillonian Salute is a chance for people to quite literally drink in the history, swapping stories of past crossings while looking ahead to what comes next. It’s a farewell, a thank you and a toast to all those who have stood on deck, watching the islands come into view.
