Welcome to

Canna

The most westerly of the small isles, Canna is a fascinating destination overflowing with wildlife and history.

Nature & wildlife

Wildlife watching

Gaelic Culture

A walker on a beautiful sandy beach under a blue sky

A wild beauty

The remote island of Canna is the most westerly of the Small Isles. In the care of the National Trust for Scotland, it is a site of 'special scientific interest,' a farm and conservation area for the island’s few residents.

With breath-taking wildlife inhabiting every corner of the island, those who make the effort to visit this off-the-beaten-track destination will be rewarded with spectacular bird watching opportunities.

Bird sanctuary

Canna is renowned for its amazing wildlife and birds are number one on the island’s list of residents. You can witness Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles and Puffins through your binoculars and in the summer months Canna’s coastline supports over 20,000 breeding seabirds.

It’s not just the feathered variety that catch the attention on Canna though, keep your eyes out for appearances from Dolphins and Whales in the nearby waters.

A historical home

The historical surroundings of Canna House hold the archives of the island’s previous owners John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Walsh. A priceless collection of Gaelic culture, the archive consists of thousands of books, items, photographs and field recordings capturing the reality of island life in the 1930s and 40s.

A trip to Canna House is an eye-opening insight into the roots of Gaelic heritage throughout the Western isles. While exploring the Canna House archives don’t forget to take some time to wander around the adjacent gardens and grounds with their rich array of flowers and plant life.

The bow of the ferry as it travels on the Small Isles route

Looking for inspiration?

Outdoor activities

Indoor activities

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Canna House | Isle of Canna

Tourist information

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Be a great visitor

Prior to your journey, familiarise yourself with VisitScotland’s #RespectProtectEnjoy

VisitScotland | Responsible tourism

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Safety tips

Take care on our coast: slips and falls can happen in all locations, not just high cliffs.

RLNI | Safety tips

Getting to Canna

The ferry to Canna departs from Mallaig and the crossing time is 2 hours 35 minutes with up to five crossings per week. You can book for passengers, vehicles, bikes, and other equipment online. If travelling by car, you must have a permit to travel.

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A picture montage of a train, bus and ferry

Getting here by public transport

Looking for the best way to get to Canna by public Transport? The Traveline Scotland Public Transport Journey Planner can help you plot your journey from anywhere in the UK, using a wide range of public transport options.

Start planning your journey

Travel information

Car

By car, Mallaig is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes from Glasgow and 4 hours from Edinburgh. All vehicles must be in possession of a valid permit to travel.

Visit the Highland Council website for more information on vehicle permits.
If you are travelling with an electric vehicle, you can find charging points via ChargePlace Scotland.
You can check the exact location of the ferry terminal on our ports page.

Train

From Glasgow, you can take the train direct to Mallaig – you'll travel on what is often referred to as one of the world's most beautiful train journeys.

The fastest train takes 5 hours 14 minutes and includes a crossing on the famous Glenfinnan viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films.

Visit ScotRail for the latest train timetable.
Plan your journey with the Traveline Scotland Journey Planner.

Bus

Mallaig is easily reached by bus from Glasgow with a change in Fort William.

Check the Citylink website for the up-to-date bus times between Glasgow and Fort William.
Plan your journey with the Traveline Scotland Journey Planner.

Car

By car, Mallaig is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes from Glasgow and 4 hours from Edinburgh. All vehicles must be in possession of a valid permit to travel.

Visit the Highland Council website for more information on vehicle permits.
If you are travelling with an electric vehicle, you can find charging points via ChargePlace Scotland.
You can check the exact location of the ferry terminal on our ports page.

Train

From Glasgow, you can take the train direct to Mallaig – you'll travel on what is often referred to as one of the world's most beautiful train journeys.

The fastest train takes 5 hours 14 minutes and includes a crossing on the famous Glenfinnan viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films.

Visit ScotRail for the latest train timetable.
Plan your journey with the Traveline Scotland Journey Planner.

Getting around Canna

Bike

Canna has 6.5 km of flat roads that offer magnificent views of the Isle of Rum with the island of Sanday in the foreground – the perfect location for a biking trip.

You can even get to the island of Sanday by means of a small bridge connecting the two islands.

Plan your cycle journey with CycleStreets.
If you’re a foot passenger travelling with a bike, remember to add your bike to your ticket when you book.
Groups of cyclists should contact us in advance advising of preferred sailings, as space on some ferries may be limited.

On foot

The Isle of Canna is the most westerly of the Small Isles archipelago among the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It's only 4.3 miles long and 1 mile wide. It’s a perfect place to explore by foot – and by doing so, you can enjoy the wildlife that frequents the island - including rare butterfly species and perhaps the magnificent sea eagle.

For budding hillwalkers, the top of Compass Hill offers beautiful views of both Skye's Cuillin Hills, and the Western Isles - the last outpost before the North Atlantic.

Visit Walk Highlands to find out more about walks on Canna.

Bike

Canna has 6.5 km of flat roads that offer magnificent views of the Isle of Rum with the island of Sanday in the foreground – the perfect location for a biking trip.

You can even get to the island of Sanday by means of a small bridge connecting the two islands.

Plan your cycle journey with CycleStreets.
If you’re a foot passenger travelling with a bike, remember to add your bike to your ticket when you book.
Groups of cyclists should contact us in advance advising of preferred sailings, as space on some ferries may be limited.

On foot

For budding hillwalkers, the top of Compass Hill offers beautiful views of both Skye's Cuillin Hills, and the Western Isles - the last outpost before the North Atlantic.

Visit Walk Highlands to find out more about walks on Canna.

Car driving on single track island road next to a coastal view.

Highland Council vehicle permit scheme

Vehicle drivers will need to have the relevant island permit prior to travel. This can be arranged, visit the Highland Council website for more information on the Small Isles vehicle permit scheme.

Opens in new window Highland Council | Permit | Small Isles