Cash appeal for new Canna homes

The tiny community of 15 people on the Isle of Canna is appealing for donations to help build three community-owned houses.

The aim is to gradually increase the population of Canna to around 30 but currently there are no empty homes on the island to enable the population to grow.

Isle of Canna Community Development Trust (IoCCDT) has launched a crowd funding appeal to help reach the £750,000 needed to build the houses. The community has to contribute £200,000.

The houses will be managed and owned by the community. They will be warm, energy efficient and let at affordable rents. The island's owner, the National Trust for Scotland, has released the land needed for the development.

It is planned to start building the houses in spring 2022.

Contributions can be made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ isle-of-canna-housing-project Geraldine Mackinnon, chairperson of Isle of Canna Community Development Trust, said: ‘The Isle of Canna community may be small, but we are always up for any challenge that will help us create a sustainable future for our island.

‘We have a positive track record with previous projects and hope everyone will come on board and help us make our community housing a reality.'

Clea Warner, National Trust for Scotland general manager for the Highlands and Islands, added: ‘We fully support this community initiative and congratulate IoCCDT for the positive steps it has taken.

‘It is in our mutual interest to see a thriving community on Canna. We are certain the approach taken here will lead to sustainable development that enables the island population to live in harmony with the precious natural beauty that surrounds them and to benefit from it through the resulting opportunities.'