Trips to Canna to see the puffins are now running!

Our trips to the Isle of Canna are unhurried, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the spectacular scenery that surrounds you and watch out for the wildlife which abounds in our local waters.

The Canna boat trips will set off around 10.15am and begin with journeying in to the magnificent Cuillin mountains and to visit the seal colony. Pups are usually born around the middle of June. Your highly experienced local skipper will allow time to watch these beautiful animals before heading out past the island of Soay. Stay was once home to Gavin Maxwell of ‘Ring of Bright Water’ fame. Strangely, he started a shark processing operation here and was responsible for killing around 1000 basking sharks purely for their livers which at that time were worth large sums of money. Happily, it is nearly 100 years since this operation ceased. You may come across one of these magnificent creatures during your trip.

You will then continue to Canna, looking out en route for the local fishermen lifting their creels in the most sustainable form of fishing anywhere.

During the nesting season you will have the opportunity to watch the quirky little puffins as you approach the Isle of Canna. They will be diving around you on their search for food for their pufflings hidden away on the high stacks where they nest.

On Canna you will have ample time to explore this unique island. We recommend enjoying lunch or a snack at the wonderful Cafe Canna (closed Tuesdays). Then you will return to Elgol along the coast of the Isle of Rum.

Throughout your Canna trip there is a good chance of wildlife sightings. Commonly seen wildlife here includes common and bottlenose dolphins, minke whales, basking sharks, golden eagles, sea eagles, grey seals, common seals, porpoise, otters, gannets, cormorant, shags, great northern divers, etc. We even have the very occasional sighting of Orca but please remember that wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Tea, coffee and hot chocolate will be served on board (all included in the price) and the boat has toilet facilities for emergencies.

We are able to offer sailings on our regular trips to Canna or private charters for your group to have the boat and skipper to yourselves.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements and arrange your trip.

Canna: The Gem of the Small Isles

Climb aboard the Eilean a Cheo, for a special day out on Canna, the gem of the Small Isles. Canna and the adjoining Island of Sanday, are the most westerly of the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides. The Island is an area of Special Protection due to the 20,000 breeding seabirds. These birds inhabit Canna’s coastlines during the spring and summer seasons. Enjoy the spectacle of Canna’s spectacular seabird colony, including the famous Puffins from the comfortable deck of our Cyfish 36. Then disembark to investigate this stunning little island.

There is so much to explore on the beautiful island of Canna and you will find the time flies by, which is why we now offer the Canna tour as a full day trip. The island has a rich history which can be traced back to ancient times with Bronze Age dwellings. Fascinating artefacts have been unearthed towards the west coast of the island. Canna is home to Iron Age hill forts at Dun Channa on the west tip and Coroghan on the east.

Canna was bequeathed to the National Trust for Scotland in 1981 by the landlords and famous Gealic scholars and archivists John
Lorne-Campbell and Margaret Fay-Shaw. A vast treasure trove of important literature, song and story collections and historical
documents is still housed in their former residence at Canna House. Canna House is along the short walk to the sandy beaches of Sanday.

It was John Lorne-Campbells belief that the island of Canna was the mysterious “Hinba”, the summer retreat of St Columba. St Columba introduced christianity to the Highlands in the 6th century, before settling on Iona, where he established the northern centre for the christian faith at Iona Abbey.

Whether Canna was indeed the fabled Hinba is a matter of some debate. However, the island certainly held great significance for early
Christians. It was home to a monastery, a hermitage and several carved stone crosses dating to the 8th and 9th century AD. Canna Rhu Church and St Columbas Catholic Church are both within easy walking distances from where the boat docks for your trip. Cafe Canna (closed Tuesdays so bring lunch!) is also close by. The Iron Age Coroghan Castle is also fairly close by. However, it is worth noting that access to the fort is steep and we do not advise trying to climb to it.

The beach at Sanday (Viking for ‘Sandy Bay’) is a slightly longer walk but well worth the effort on a sunny day. The nearby National Trust Puffin Walk is a great route for spotting Puffins and often White Tailed Sea Eagles.

All walks are made at your own discretion and we remind you to bring any equipment you might need to undertake the hike of your choosing. If you do forget to bring walking poles, please speak to our office staff prior to departure and we will attempt to provide you
with poles for the tour.