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Isle of Canna

King of Norway’s Grave

A Viking-age kerb of stones on the machair of Canna's north coast, known as the King of Norway's Grave.

Welcome

The King of Norway's Grave lies on the north coast of Canna, on a strip of machair below the cliffs on the peninsula of Rubha Langanais: a long, narrow ring of small stones set close together in the grass, about ten metres long and two wide, with the sea breaking on the rocks beyond.

The stones are all that is left of a burial cairn of the Viking age, the kerb that once edged it, and similar burials on Arran and Colonsay have been dated by their coins to the ninth century.

It is a long walk and best on a calm day. The way is waymarked in red from the harbour road: about three kilometres along a track, then over rough ground past the souterrains to the north side of the island, where the grave lies below. Bring waterproofs, food and a map.

Before you go

A long walk from the harbour, waymarked in red: about 3km along a track, then over rough ground past the souterrains to look down on the grave.

Go in calm weather, with warm waterproof clothes, food and an Ordnance Survey map.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Mallaig; day trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. No visitor vehicles.
Start
The track by Jane's Cottage, towards Tarbert.
Way
Red waymarks; 3km, then a gully north.
Bring
Waterproofs, food, a map.

Did you know

A low stone wall's foundation traces a line across a grassy headland on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

A Viking burial.

The ring of stones is the kerb of a burial cairn of the Viking period, all that remains of it.

A crumbling stone wall leads up to a round dry stone structure on a grassy Isle of Canna hillside.
Did you know

Ten metres long.

The kerb, of smallish stones set close together, encloses an area 32 feet long and six and a half feet wide.

The low foundation stones of an old wall form a faint line across grassland on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Dated by coins.

Two similar burials, on Arran and Colonsay, have been dated by the coins found in them to the ninth century.

A grassy headland stretches toward rocky skerries and open sea on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Rubha Langanais.

The grave is on the peninsula of Rubha Langanais, a strip of machair below the cliffs of the north coast.

Weathered foundation stones mark the line of an old wall across grassland on the Isle of Canna.
What is on

What is new across Canna, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on on Canna
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Where it is

Rubha Langanais, the north coast of Canna.

Close byOn the north coast.
  1. SouterrainsSouterrainsTwo small underground chambers in a green field in the west of Canna, perhaps 2,000 years old.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. St Columba’s ChurchSt Columba’s ChurchA small stone chapel on Canna's harbour road, with a white cross on its gable, that served as the shop and post office until 1965.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. The Sculptured Cross of A’ChillAn early Christian cross of the 7th to 9th century at A'Chill, Canna's old main settlement, missing two arms.Under a mile3 min by road
  4. The Punishment StoneA standing stone with a hole in its side at A'Chill on Canna, where offenders were said to be held by the thumb.Under a mile3 min by road
  5. Café CannaCafé CannaAn award-winning little restaurant and bar by Canna harbour, cooking almost entirely from the island and its waters.Under a mile3 min by road
  6. Coroghon CastleA ruined fort on a rock stack above Canna harbour, where Marion MacLeod is said to have been imprisoned.Under a mile4 min by road
Directions
Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksIsle of SkyeGlenbrittle CampsitePlace to stay · 0.2 miles
Inside the community shop: shelves of groceries, cards and a cold cabinet, a table by the window.ShoppingCanna Community Shop0.7 miles
A stone church with a bell tower stands beside a Celtic cross gravestone at dusk on the Isle of Canna.AttractionsCanna Rhu Church0.8 miles
AttractionsCoroghon Beach0.9 miles
Grassy headlands enclose a calm harbour on the Isle of Canna, tiny figures visible on the rocks below.AttractionsCompass Hill0.9 miles
St Edward's on the top of Sanday above a frosted track, hills behind.AttractionsSt Edward’s Church1.0 miles
A white lighthouse tower with a stairway stands on a grassy headland on the Isle of Canna, mountains rising behind.AttractionsSanday1.0 miles
Stay nearby

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

Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittle Campsite
  • To stay
  • In the Isle of Canna
  • 14 miles from the King of Norway's Grave
Check datesCoruisk House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgol
  • 19 miles from the King of Norway's Grave
Check datesLong timber-clad building with a dark metal roof and red-framed windowsSkyewalker Hostel
  • Sleeps 1
  • In the Isle of Canna
  • 19 miles from the King of Norway's Grave
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on CannaAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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