Dream living on the Isle of Canna

My name is Fiona J Mackenzie and I am the Archivist and House Manager for Canna House on the Isle of Canna, for the National Trust for Scotland. I came to live here with my husband in May 2015 to take up  what was my ‘dream job’ as a Gaelic singer.  I have been coming to Canna for years to undertake research in the unique Gaelic folklore archives of Canna House but never did I think I would ever have the honour of looking after and developing awareness of these precious resources!

Canna and Canna House was gifted to the NTS in 1981 by owners and world renowned folklorists John and Margaret Campbell. Their collections include an incomparable Folklore library, Margaret’s unique collection of Hebridean photography from the 1930’s and 40’s, fascinating collections of Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths) and Johns incredible sound archive recordings of stories and songs, recorded in the Uists, Barra and Nova Scotia in the 1930’s and 40’s.  Housed in Canna House, they form a totally unique and priceless ‘jigsaw’ of a fascinating life of two fascinating people.

Canna House is about to begin undergoing an extensive development programme which will see the Collections becoming more accessible to visitors and researchers and I am extremely fortunate to be involved with this project right from its inception.

Living on Canna presents us with a unique lifestyle which I think we have embraced wholeheartedly, although it is not without its challenges, usually related to weather and ferries!  My husband is able to work remotely for his employers, from our house and it works very well. Our three children visit frequently and our two collie dogs are quite at home on the beaches and in the hills!  We live in a house right down on the shoreline and every morning, I never get tired of the view looking over to Sanday and the iconic sight of Camus Arts Centre ( the renamed St Edwards Church).

Visitors to Canna frequently comment on the special  ‘feeling’ they get when they step on their boat, a sort of ‘peace’ which washes over them. I think it is a combination of the views, the sounds of the birds, the seals,  the  waves  and the fact that there is no mobile phone reception on the island! A safe haven for yachts and ships, the little bay with its picturesque Café Canna and the welcoming ‘face’ of Canna House on the shoreline , attracts walkers, climbers, kayakers, day trippers  and campers all summer long.  

Tighard Guest House sits on the hill up above Canna House and has incredible views over to Rum. The Celtic Cross and the ancient ‘Cursing Stone’, the remains of the ancient ‘Nunnery’, the legendary  ‘King of Norway’s Grave’ and the prehistoric ‘Souterraines’ are all interesting points of interest for visitors as well as the ‘Dùn Chorraghan’ or ‘Corraghan Prison’ and its legends.  Visitors can wander through the unique ‘escalonia’ hedge tunnel into Canna House gardens  and enjoy  a stroll through the orchard or even have a game of croquet!

Canna presents a unique visitor experience and we are proud to welcome everyone to our lovely wee island in the Atlantic!