“The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust’s vision is for an Island suitable for demographic growth, supported by good employment opportunities, good services and facilities and affordable housing.”

Rural Housing Scotland’s Our Island Home (OIH) Project Officer met with the Canna Development Trust to discuss options for affordable housing in September 2014, in line with their vision for growth.

In March 2015 we visited the island for the first time. As well as gaining a better understanding of the island as a whole, the project officer investigated some of the empty properties the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), who owns Canna, had prioritised for renovation.

As a conservation charity, renovation of old properties is the preferred route for NTS to deliver new housing on Canna. An open meeting was held with the community and the project officer also joined the annual meeting with NTS at Canna House. This was followed up by the first Canna Buildings Forum meeting on 2nd September 2015, also at Canna House.

The community asked us to carry out a housing needs survey for the current residents on Canna, this was completed in April 2015. The report was updated and published in February 2016. Read the full Canna Report.