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Small Isles

Coroghon Beach

A quiet beach of black volcanic sand below the old barn at Coroghon on Canna harbour, with a snorkel trail in the bay.

Welcome

Coroghon Beach lies at the east end of Canna harbour, below the old barn at Coroghon: a quiet curve of dark volcanic sand and shingle, with rocks and small stacks standing in the bay and the ruined fort on its stack above.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

At low tide the wet sand is ribbed and patterned by the water, and on a still evening it holds the rocks and the sky in reflection.

To get there, take the rough track up the hill from the bend in the road just east of the shop and café, between the farm walls, to the barn; the beach is below. The bay is one of Canna's two snorkel trails, part of a Small Isles trail made with the Scottish Wildlife Trust: look for shore crabs, hermit crabs, anemones, sea sponges, seaweeds and seals. Afterwards, add what you saw to the board in the Shearing Shed. The café and the community shop are a few minutes' walk back along the road.

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Before you go

From the bend in the road just east of the shop and café, take the rough track up between the farm walls to the old barn at Coroghon; the beach is below it.

Do not climb the rock stack with the fort. The printable Small Isles Snorkel Trail leaflet has the trail; the average sea temperature in summer is 14 degrees.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Mallaig; day trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. No visitor vehicles.
From the shop
The track up between the farm walls.
Snorkel
Coroghon Bay trail; sea about 14°C in summer.

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Did you know

A weathered rock stack rises from a sandy beach at low tide, its reflection doubled in the wet sand on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Volcanic sand.

The sand is dark, worn from the volcanic rock of the island.

Twin rock stacks rise from a sandy bay on the Isle of Canna, their forms doubled in the still water.
Did you know

A trail underwater.

The bay is one of six snorkel trails across the four Small Isles, made by the Small Isles Community Council with the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Rippled wet sand leads to a calm bay bordered by cliffs and distant hills on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

What lives here.

Snorkellers may see shore crabs, hermit crabs, jellyfish, anemones, sea sponges, sea grass, seaweeds and seals.

A ruined tower tops one rock stack beside a second bare outcrop above a sandy beach on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Tell the board.

After a snorkel, write what you saw on the Snorkel Trail board in the Shearing Shed, where you can also look up anything you could not name.

A metal gate opens onto a grassy path leading to a sandy bay on the Isle of Canna, hills rising beyond the water.
Did you know

A sheltered harbour.

Canna's bay is one of the best and most sheltered in the area, with ten visitor moorings for yachts.

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Where it is

Coroghon, east of the shop on Canna harbour.

Close byAt Coroghon.
  1. Coroghon CastleCoroghon CastleA ruined fort on a rock stack above Canna harbour, where Marion MacLeod is said to have been imprisoned.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Café CannaCafé CannaAn award-winning little restaurant and bar by Canna harbour, cooking almost entirely from the island and its waters.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Canna Rhu ChurchCanna Rhu ChurchThe Presbyterian church of 1911 by Canna harbour, built to an Irish design with a round tower, known as the Rocket Church.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Canna Community ShopCanna Community ShopAn honesty shop a short walk from Canna pier, with island crafts, gifts and groceries.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Compass HillCompass HillA grassy hill above Canna harbour, reached by a woodland path, whose magnetic rocks play havoc with compass readings.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. St Edward’s ChurchSt Edward’s ChurchThe towered church of the 1890s on Sanday, built as a landmark and place of worship for visiting fishermen.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
AttractionsSt Columba’s ChurchA step away
AttractionsThe Sculptured Cross of A’ChillA step away
AttractionsThe Punishment StoneA step away
A white lighthouse tower with a stairway stands on a grassy headland on the Isle of Canna, mountains rising behind.AttractionsSandayA step away
A souterrain opening in the turf, edged and roofed with pale stones.AttractionsSouterrainsA step away
Grassy headland with a stony path leading towards rocky sea cliffsAttractionsKing of Norway’s GraveA step away
Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittleGlenbrittle CampsitePlace to stay · 0.2 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.

Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittle Campsite
  • To stay
  • In Glenbrittle
  • 12 miles from Coroghon Beach
Check datesCoruisk House's white harled exterior shows dormer windows and clustered chimneys against a grey sky.Coruisk House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgol
  • 17 miles from Coroghon Beach
Check datesLong timber-clad building with a dark metal roof and red-framed windowsSkyewalker Hostel
  • Sleeps 27
  • In Portnalong
  • 19 miles from Coroghon Beach
Check datesWood-burning stove alight beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a hillside pathSligachan Blackhouses
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Sligachan
  • 20 miles from Coroghon Beach
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Small IslesAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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CollectionScotland's Best Beaches
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