Isle of Canna in the Hebrides - renovation and conservation of historical buildings

HRH The Princess Royal opened St Edward's Centre on Sanday, the Island of Canna on Tuesday 5 June 2001. Over one hundred people travelled to the island, joining most of Canna's thirteen residents in celebrating the new accommodation and study facility.

Following a visit to Canna House to meet Mrs Margaret Fay Shaw Campbell, the late Dr John Lorne Campbell's widow, The Princess Royal declared St Edward's Centre open by unveiling a plaque commemorating this unique occasion.
Click on the photo to see an album of images commemorating the visit

Isle of Canna

The Isle of Canna is one of the small Isles (Eigg, Rhum, Canna, Muck and Heisgeir) positioned to the south of Skye and the West of Mallaig and Lochaber. The island has been inhabited since the dawn of history. Vikings sojourned here, St. Columba visited it and the island went through many changes of ownership until in 1938 John Lorne Campbell purchased it. Canna itself has a satellite island, Sanday, and the two land masses are joined by a footbridge with vehicular access available over the mud flats at low tide. John Lorne Campbell, and his wife Margaret Fay Shaw, have made a systematic and careful study of all things Hebridean and Gaelic and their work represents a unique study of the past. In 1981 John Lorne Campbell gifted the Isle of Canna to The National Trust for Scotland.

St. Edward's Centre

Restoration of St. Edward's Church, Ise of Canna

St. Edward's Church was designed in a neo-Romanesque style with stone carvings by Thomas Nicholls. It was built at a time when the population of the two islands was somewhat larger, but the church was used not only by the residents but also by the fishermen of Barra, who frequently used Canna's fine natural harbour.

The Hebridean Trust has leased this building from The National Trust for Scotland and the renovations were completed in spring 2001. The project has been designed by architects ARP Lorimer of Ayr. The building has been fitted out to a high standard, providing accommodation for up to 12 people. Funding partners include: the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, Historic Scotland and Lochaber Limited as well as a number of private grant making trusts.

The building will revert to The National Trust for Scotland who will manage its future use. Visitors are expected to include NTS volunteer working parties, groups organised through the University of the Highlands and Islands Project and advanced Gaelic students. The island is also expected to attract specialists in the natural sciences. Canna Harbour provides a haven for many yachtsmen and it is expected to provide them with facilities. Local shops, pony trekking, and tours will also benefit.

The John Lorne Campbell Archive - New Project

The Hebridean Trust will create a new home for the archived material currently held in the library and storage rooms at Canna House. As well as an important collection of manuscripts there are unique sound recordings, film and photographic material. Access will be available to visiting academics and remote access will be developed through the Internet.

The project is expected to take the form of an extension of Canna House and will include library, listening and recording areas as well as display areas for other collections and computer terminals and scanning facilities. Additional accommodation will be provided for an archivist which will involve the conversion of the nearby Corrigan Barn.

Fund-raising efforts for this project have already begun. It is expected to cost a total of £3M and we envisage work will begin in 2003.