West Word - June 2025

By contrast to May, June has been a bit of a let down weather wise. There has been some much needed rain but the temperature is struggling to rise. The grass in the fields has reached its distinctive Canna green and the lambs are looking superb on a diet of such lush grass. 

The growth of the yellow irises and nettles has brought our corncrakes back in earnest. Their familiar call can be heard in several locations around the island and our Ranger Tom has been out at night monitoring them and identifying individuals as each corncrake has its own distinctive voice. Corncrake chicks have been spotted scurrying around which is great news for our population here. 

Caroline and I had a great snorkel with a group from Isle of Eigg Guiding who visited Canna last week. The jellyfish put on a superb show; big blousy Blue Jellyfish and Lion’s Mane’s right down to the tiny hydromedusae and plankton. Schools of small fish darted amongst the seaweed while urchins and starfish clung to the rock faces. Thanks to Jon and Steph for bringing the group over. We’re always delighted to share our thriving Canna waters with visitors.

The beginning of the month saw a number of events for the launch of Canna House reopening to the public. The visits were very successful and the visitors were treated to a tour of Canna House, a tour of Canna House garden, a tasty lunch at Cafe Canna, a guided walk to A’Chill with Ranger Tom and coffee and cake with members of the community to find out what the community are doing in terms of projects and enterprise. It was great to meet so many people with links to Canna including members of the Thom family whose ancestors owned Canna before John Lorne Campbell. 

If you are coming to Canna and would like to take a tour of Canna House, tickets can be purchased on the Canna NTS Eventbrite page. The garden is free to look around and has various interpretation boards with bits of history about the island. 

We welcomed a large group of students from Edinburgh University Climbing Club. The students made good use of our new Visitor Hub and it was the building's first real test with a large group using the facilities. Cafe Canna provided a meal in The Shearing Shed which was followed by an impromptu ceilidh which had everyone dancing to the wee small hours. 

Sessions and Sail called into Canna last week. The musicians were excellent and entertained residents and visitors with an evening of music, songs and dancing. At the end of the night, a musical promenade danced along the shore. Thanks to Sessions and Sail for coming to see us and please come back again soon!