Canna Lighthouse
2GWM+RP Isle of Canna, UK
Name and Location
Canna Lighthouse is a small heritage-listed navigational aid located on the northern shore of the Isle of Canna, one of Scotland's Small Isles in the Inner Hebrides. The coordinates are 57.0471148 ° N, –6.4656488 ° W.
Construction and History
The construction era of the lighthouse is undocumented, likely dating back to the 19th or early 20th century. Its original purpose was to guide local fishing and supply vessels through the waters between Canna and neighboring isles (e.g., Rum, Eigg).
Architecture and Materials
The tower type is a small cylindrical or squat square tower (exact form unverified). The construction materials are likely stone and cement render. The height and focal plane are undocumented.
Light and Navigation
The light characteristic and range are not published; local lights of this type often display a fixed or occulting white beam visible up to about 5 nautical miles. The lighthouse is almost certainly automated, with no keepers on site since the mid-20th century.
Accessibility and Visiting
Visitors can access the tower by taking the ferry from Mallaig to Canna and following the island road northwards to the shore path. The light stands near a small slipway. Public interior access is not known, but the tower is visible from the coastal footpath. Nearest facilities include Canna House (National Trust for Scotland visitor centre), community café, and basic toilets in Canna village.
Notable Views and Landscape
The surroundings offer gently sloping grassy shore fronting the Sound of Gunna, with views across to Rum and Eigg and, on clear days, Skye to the north. Wildlife includes frequent seals and seabirds; chance of spotting golden eagles inland.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No published folklore relates specifically to the light tower, but Canna itself is rich in Gaelic tales of shipwrecks and island keepers' heroic rescues.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is managed by the Northern Lighthouse Board, which oversees aids to navigation in Scottish waters. The current function is active navigational aid for coastal traffic; no museum or visitor centre on site.
Further Information
- https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/207012717">OpenStreetMap entry: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/207012717
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29020903">Wikidata item: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29020903
- https://www.nlb.org.uk">Northern Lighthouse Board: https://www.nlb.org.uk (general information on Scottish lights)
- https://www.calmac.co.uk">Caledonian MacBrayne: https://www.calmac.co.uk
Details
| Name | Canna Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57.0471148, -6.4656488 |
| Historic significance | Locally recognized as part of Canna's maritime heritage |
| Stories | No published folklore relates specifically to the light tower, but Canna itself is rich in Gaelic tales of shipwrecks and island keepers' heroic rescues. |
| Construction material | "Likely stone and cement render" |
| Heritage status | true |
| Access description | Ferry from Mallaig to Canna; follow the island road northwards to the shore path; the light stands near a small slipway |
| Accessible | false |
| View description | Gently sloping grassy shore fronting the Sound of Gunna; views across to Rum and Eigg and, on clear days, Skye to the north |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | Canna House (National Trust for Scotland visitor centre), community café, basic toilets in Canna village |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Light characteristic | "Fixed or occulting white beam visible up to about 5 nmi (speculative)" |
| Light range | 5 |
| Automated | true |