The Isle of Canna has opened the doors to a brand new visitor hub, marking a fresh chapter for one of Scotland’s most cherished islands.
The £771,000 project has been brought to life by the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, with support from the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
For those stepping ashore, the hub offers more than simple convenience.
There are modern toilets and showers, laundry facilities, a welcoming space for NHS workers and professionals, and a base for the island’s ranger, making life easier for visitors and the community alike.
Built with care and respect for its surroundings, the hub blends beautifully into the landscape.
Its design draws on sustainable materials and runs on renewable energy from the island’s solar infrastructure, showing how tourism and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand.
The building sits close to the harbour and has already become a natural gathering point for those arriving by boat.
This project reflects years of planning and community determination to meet growing visitor numbers without losing what makes Canna so special.
Spey Building & Joinery Ltd, which delivered the construction, has already been recognised nationally, winning the Federation of Master Builders award for best commercial or public sector project in Scotland.
Isebail MacKinnon, director of the Community Development Trust, said the hub will help the island shift towards longer, more meaningful visits, encouraging people to stay and explore rather than rush through.
She expressed gratitude to all who supported the project and spoke warmly of its importance to the island’s future.
VisitScotland’s Chris Taylor praised the hub as part of a wider vision for Canna, highlighting how it complements investment in Canna House and plans for a community bunkhouse, as well as the work of small island businesses creating a distinctive experience for travellers.
Highland Council’s Ken Gowans echoed this, calling the hub a vital step in sustainable tourism and a way to protect Canna’s fragile environment while giving the community tools to manage its future.
The new hub operates on an honesty basis, with donations invited from visitors who use the facilities.
It stands as both a welcome and a promise, offering comfort to those who journey here and a sign that Canna’s community is ready to embrace the future while honouring its past.
