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Isle of Canna

The Punishment Stone

A standing stone with a hole in its side at A'Chill on Canna, where offenders were said to be held by the thumb.

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The Punishment Stone stands on a low mound in a field at A'Chill, the old main settlement of Canna, a little above the early Christian cross: a tall, thin standing stone, grey and crusted with lichen, with a small hole in its side.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Local legend has it that offenders had their thumb wedged firmly into the hole and were left there to ponder their misdeeds, for as long as the crime deserved.

It is part of a short signed walk up from the harbour road to A'Chill, past the grave of John Lorne Campbell, the Man of Canna, and the early Christian cross. From its mound the field opens out below the terraced cliffs, and the harbour and Sanday lie behind.

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Before you go

A short signed walk leads up from the harbour road to A'Chill.

The stone stands on a low mound a little above the early Christian cross.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Mallaig; day trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. No visitor vehicles.
Start
The field gate by St Columba's Chapel.
Find it
Up to the left of the cross, on a low mound.

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Did you know

Lichen covers the weathered stone surface of the Isle of Canna's early Christian cross, its carved hole visible.
Did you know

Held by the thumb.

Legend says offenders had their thumb wedged into the hole in the stone's side and were left to ponder their misdeeds, for a time to fit the crime.

A weathered stone cross stands in grassland with distant cliffs and rolling hills.
Did you know

Beside the old cross.

Just below the stone is the Sculptured Cross of A'Chill, carved in the seventh to ninth century.

A weathered stone cross with a carved hole stands in a field beneath basalt cliffs on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Canna's old centre.

The field was once A'Chill, the main settlement on the island; little of it now remains.

A weathered stone cross rises in a field bordered by dry stone walls beneath rolling hills.
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

A'Chill, above Canna harbour.

Close byAt A'Chill.
  1. The Sculptured Cross of A’ChillThe 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 mile 1 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 mile 1 min by road
  3. 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
  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. 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
  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
AttractionsCoroghon BeachA step away
AttractionsCoroghon CastleA 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 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 stone, and when each is next free.

Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittle Campsite
  • To stay
  • In Glenbrittle
  • 13 miles from the Punishment Stone
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 the Punishment Stone
Check datesLong timber-clad building with a dark metal roof and red-framed windowsSkyewalker Hostel
  • Sleeps 27
  • In Portnalong
  • 19 miles from the Punishment Stone
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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