St Edward's on the top of Sanday above a frosted track, hills behind.

Isle of Canna

St Edward’s Church

The towered church of the 1890s on Sanday, built as a landmark and place of worship for visiting fishermen.

Welcome

St Edward's is the tall stone church that stands alone on the grassy top of Sanday, Canna's neighbour across the bridge, and it can be seen from much of the harbour.

It was built in the 1890s with money from the Marchioness of Bute, in memory of her father, Lord Howard of Glossop, as a landmark and a place of worship for the many fishermen who came to Canna then. It is a handsome building of dark stone with pale dressings, a steep slate roof, a round window and a square tower with a saddleback roof.

In 2000 it was renovated as a study centre, and it is no longer in use; it is a building to walk out to and see from outside. Cross the bridge onto Sanday and follow the new road to its end. From the church, a field wall leads on to the south coast and the sea stacks where the puffins nest from late April to July, and the white sands of Traigh Bhàn are close by.

Round the cornerCafé CannaAn award-winning little restaurant and bar by Canna harbour, cooking almost entirely from the island and its waters.1 min by roadSee it

Before you go

Cross the bridge from Canna harbour onto Sanday and follow the new road to its end.

The church is not in use and is seen from outside.

Getting there: CalMac ferry from Mallaig; day trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. No visitor vehicles.
Way: Over the bridge, to the end of the new road.
Inside: Not open; seen from outside.

Where it is

Sanday, over the bridge from Canna.

Close byOn Sanday.