Hidden Scotland
Sign in
Isle of Canna

The Sculptured Cross of A’Chill

An early Christian cross of the 7th to 9th century at A'Chill, Canna's old main settlement, missing two arms.

Welcome

The Sculptured Cross of A'Chill stands in a fenced patch of field above Canna harbour, on the site of A'Chill, once the island's main settlement, of which little now remains.

It is an early Christian cross of the seventh to ninth century, a tall shaft of grey stone crusted with lichen and carved with many symbols, though two of its arms are missing, knocked off, it is said, by cannonball target practice during the Napoleonic wars.

The cross is a short walk uphill from St Columba's Chapel on the harbour road, round the side of Heron Rock and through a small wood, past an information board and the grave of John Lorne Campbell, the Man of Canna. The Punishment Stone stands on a low mound further up the field, and the old graveyard is close by.

Before you go

The walk starts at the field gate by St Columba's Chapel on the harbour road, signed to A'Chill, and climbs round Heron Rock and through a small wood to the cross.

The Punishment Stone is further up the field, and the old graveyard is on the way back.

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.
Next
The Punishment Stone, up to the left.

Did you know

A weathered stone cottage sits below columnar basalt cliffs on a grassy hillside on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Twelve centuries old.

The cross dates from the seventh to the ninth century, and is carved with many decorated symbols.

The carved wheel-head of the Isle of Canna's early Christian cross rises above a protective fence.
Did you know

Target practice.

Two of its arms are missing, said to have been shot away by cannonball target practice during the Napoleonic wars.

A close view shows carved interlace patterns on the shaft of the Isle of Canna's ancient stone cross.
Did you know

The old main settlement.

A'Chill was once the main settlement on Canna. Little of it now remains above the grass.

A white cottage with a corrugated roof sits beneath columnar basalt cliffs on a grassy hillside.
Did you know

The Man of Canna.

The path passes the grave of John Lorne Campbell, known as Fear Chanaidh, the Man of Canna.

A wooden interpretive sign describes a 'Walk to early Christian cross' in English and Gaelic beside a map.
Did you know

A walk of early Christian sites.

An information board by the field gate maps the walk to the island's early Christian sites, in Gaelic and English.

An interpretive sign stands beside a fenced stone cross in a field beneath wooded cliffs 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
01 / 06
Where it is

A'Chill, above Canna harbour.

Close byAt A'Chill.
  1. 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 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
The Daily for 18 October, from Scotland with love. Golden-hour light catches a shadowed mountain above a loch, rust-coloured moorland in the foreground

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cross, 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 A'Chill cross
Check datesCoruisk House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgol
  • 17 miles from the A'Chill cross
Check datesLong timber-clad building with a dark metal roof and red-framed windowsSkyewalker Hostel
  • Sleeps 27
  • In Portnalong
  • 19 miles from the A'Chill cross
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on CannaAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.