Canna is the ‘other’ of Scotland’s Small Isles quartet, hidden that bit further west, often obscured in the shadow of hulking Rum. It’s a hideaway worth discovering though – an isle bathed in starched white beaches and bountiful wildlife and one of the finest places to dine in the Hebrides, too, with a dynamic, welcoming community that is fiercely determined to make island life work. I’ve been lucky over the past couple of decades to get out to Canna more than half a dozen times.
It’s easy to do these days with CalMac ferries serving Eigg. You could also sail yourself into the finest natural harbour in the Small Isles, or even better get someone else to sail in for you and moor overnight. I’ve arrived aboard a trio of excellent small cruise ships run by Hebridean Princess, Majestic Line and Hebrides Cruises.
I heartily recommend all three. There is a good chance beaming National Trust for Scotland ranger Tom will be there to greet you at the pier, furnishing you with a map that opens up this real life Treasure Island, just a bijou four miles long by one mile wide. The map reveals you get two islands for the price of one, with tiny Sanday connected to Canna by a causeway.
Both boast beaches, cliffs, grazing animals and patches of wilderness. Canna may not harbour any Munros but there are gnarly knolls to yomp up where you’ll see more seabirds than people. In fact, there is a good chance you’ll encounter more eagles than fellow hikers.
In summer there are cu.
