West Word - May 2026

May was probably the driest spell of weather we have had since last Summer. We went weeks without any rain so the whole island was put on water rations until the rain started again late last week and into the weekend. Both people and gardens are grateful for the rain. While the rest of the UK basked in a bank holiday blazing heatwave, we were shrouded in a blanket of thick fog. The fog gives the island a rather spooky, enclosed feeling with visibility down to about 20 metres. 

The wildflowers have been spectacular so far. The yellow primroses were better than ever and the bluebells are filling the woods and fields giving the island a purplish blue tint. Bog cotton, violets, spring squill, birdsfoot trefoil, sea thrift and orchids to name but a few are covering the machair. If you’re interested in wildflowers, Canna is the place to visit in late May. 

The farm has finished lambing and the fields are full of lambs scampering about testing their legs for speed and using their mothers as diving boards. It's such a great sight to see and brings a hopeful feeling to the island. We’ve just got one last cow to calf….

WT Architects visited the island to update the community on progress with the Coroghan Barn designs. We looked at materials samples, discussed colour schemes and had the opportunity to “walk” through the building using VR goggles. This caused some of us to feel extremely dizzy but it was a really good visual tool to understand what the building will become. 

We had a helicopter making flights across the island doing concrete pours for our renewables upgrade and the installation of a new cattle grid. It was a very impressive sight and done with the utmost efficiency. 

At Canna House, we have the flag flying again at Canna House! Gardener Nathan Cridland was able to service the flagpole that had been in use for many years in the garden here, and it's great to see it in use again with our new Saltire flag.  

In Canna House Garden, there will be an exhibition of the work of a local Canna artist Margaret Willington in June. Margaret has created stunning artworks inspired by the marine habitat of Canna and Sanday. Printed on domestic objects such as pillowcases and sheets, and hung on the washing line of the Canna House drying green, they were partly inspired by a photograph from the Canna House Archive showing the drying green in use during the time of ownership of the house and island by the Thom family. Margaret used "gyotaku", a traditional technique used by Japanese fishermen to measure their catch to settle fishing competitions by printing directly from the fish caught; now the term can be used when using any natural objects as a printing plate. The garden is free to enter to view these beautiful artworks.

The island is gearing up for our annual Canna 10K which takes place on Saturday 30th May 2026. Runners come and enjoy running our trail which goes past towering basalt column cliffs, along the road that weaves through the machair and back along the tidal road around the bay. There is a hearty BBQ to follow then a ceilidh in the evening. Fingers crossed for good running weather!

On a final note, we’ve all seen and experienced the Calmac woes over the last week. The Calmac staff in Mallaig do an outstanding job trying to help everyone make their various journeys to the Small Isles. While it is frustrating for many, we need to give them a shout out for all their efforts. Thank you!