West Word - November 2024

Two weeks ago Winter finally arrived. Not because we had snow but everything changed colour. The sky, instead of being a warm blue, turned to a cool blue; the spectacular sunsets turned into spectacular sunrises and there is now a crispness in the air that only the bite of the Winter wind can provide. The once upright unmown grass now lies flat and slightly burnt by the salt air; the plants in the garden a rustic brown, dormant now until Spring. 

We’ve had a couple of fatalities hitting our beaches - a couple of seals and a stag. The seals are small, possibly young pups caught out by the stormy seas. The stag on Sanday Beach has provided carrion for the island’s resident Hooded Crows creating a scene reminiscent of the pages of Edgar Allan Poe. 

Kelp and Furbellows lie in tangled heaps along the shoreline and the water line is choked with the tiny remnants of seaweed bashed to smithereens by stormy waters. Occasionally, one can find Oar Weed with bryozoans and periwinkle eggs glued to the slick, umber surface. 

The island is quiet again. Visitors are now infrequent except for those coming to Canna for work. The final stages of the Canna House refurbishment are underway with conservators putting the last bits of the collection in place. The AV and garden interpretation are installed and stored for the Winter. Canna House will be open to the public in Spring 2025. 

Our new Visitor Hub is near completion with the last bits of snagging to be done. It’s a good looking building and we are looking forward to our visitors enjoying the facilities; hot showers, toilets and a laundry. Tom, our Ranger, will have his office there and it will provide a meeting point for his guided walks and talks. There is also a community room which the GP’s will be able to use for patient appointments. 

We gathered together at the start of November for a bonfire. In the preceding weeks, everyone went on the hunt for wood that would be suitable for the fire and by the time the evening came around, we had a splendid bonfire with flames licking up to the skies. A chance to chat, have a dram or two and enjoy some sparklers. Davy, our Pier Manager, serenaded the dying embers on his pipes. 

Early next year, we will be welcoming two new residents to Canna. We had a baby shower for them on Sunday with cake made by Vicki and it was a good chance for everyone to get together before people start heading off island for the festive season. The balloons were a particular hit for our youngest resident, Hector, who I am quite sure slept for an eternity after one of the longest games of keeping the balloon in the air which everyone had to participate in. In all fairness, the adults totally loved it as well!

The Lucky 2 Be Here team paid a visit to Canna at the end of November to train the community in the use of our defibrillators and how to perform CPR. The training was well received and we are very grateful for the team coming out to do the training as well as deliver our new defibrillator.

Another set of new faces have appeared in Canna too - Badger Faced Sheep! Caroline has been adding to her flock and some more will be arriving in the new year. They are fine looking sheep and really do look like badgers! We are yet to discover whether they will stay in the field where they are meant to or whether they will join the Zwartbles in marauding around the island being feisty and mischievous.

Here in Canna we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas when it comes and we hope to see you visiting our shores very soon!