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Isle of Canna

St Columba’s Church

A 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.

Welcome

St Columba's Chapel is a small, plain building of pink and grey rubble stone on the road round Canna harbour, about fifteen minutes' walk from the pier, just before the Square; a white cross on its gable marks it out.

It was built some time after 1770 and was the island's main place of Catholic worship until 1897, when the church on Sanday was built.

After that it served for a while as the island's shop and post office, and in 1965 it was rededicated as a chapel, as it still is. It is worth a look inside: white walls under a pine ceiling, wooden chairs facing a simple altar and crucifix, and a window of bright stained glass. The field gate beside it is the start of the path to A'Chill, the old main settlement, with its early Christian cross and the Punishment Stone, past the grave of John Lorne Campbell.

Before you go

About fifteen minutes' walk along the harbour road from the pier, just before the Square.

The chapel is still in use. The path to A'Chill begins at the field gate beside it.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Mallaig; day trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. No visitor vehicles.
From the pier
About 15 minutes along the harbour road.
Next
The path to A'Chill, by the field gate.

Did you know

A white cross is mounted on the stone gable of a chapel on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Built after 1770.

The chapel went up some time after 1770 and was Canna's main place of Catholic worship until 1897, when the church on Sanday was built.

A leaded stained-glass window is set into the stone wall of a chapel on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Once the post office.

For a while the chapel was the island's shop and post office, until 1965, when it was rededicated as a chapel.

Wooden pews face a crucifix and flower-decked altar in a chapel on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Worth a look inside.

The island's own guide says to step in: the chapel is plain and bright, with a stained-glass window by the altar.

A millstone, coiled ropes and buoys sit beside a stone wall on the Isle of Canna, a green boat parked nearby.
Did you know

The Man of Canna.

The path from the chapel to A'Chill passes the grave of John Lorne Campbell, Fear Chanaidh, the Man of Canna.

A small stone chapel with a white cross and pitched slate roof stands on a gravel path 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

The harbour road, just before the Square, Canna.

Close byOn the harbour road.
  1. 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 mile1 min by road
  2. 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 mile1 min by road
  3. 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 mile1 min by road
  4. Café CannaCafé CannaAn award-winning little restaurant and bar by Canna harbour, cooking almost entirely from the island and its waters.Under a mile1 min by road
  5. Canna Community ShopCanna Community ShopAn honesty shop a short walk from Canna pier, with island crafts, gifts and groceries.Under a mile1 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 mile1 min by road
Directions
AttractionsCoroghon BeachA step away
AttractionsCoroghon CastleA 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
Grassy headlands enclose a calm harbour on the Isle of Canna, tiny figures visible on the rocks below.AttractionsCompass HillA 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 peaksIsle of SkyeGlenbrittle CampsitePlace to stay · 0.2 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the chapel, 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
  • 13 miles from St Columba's
Check datesCoruisk House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgol
  • 17 miles from St Columba's
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 St Columba's
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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