Description
The monument consists of an approximately circular enclosure with the remains of dry-stone structures within, interpreted as being the remains of an Early Christian monastic site, possibly dating from the 7th century.
The enclosure measures 39m N-S by 32m E-W. The enclosure wall averages 1.8m in thickness and is of drystone construction; it is broken by an entrance at the S, the details of which are obscured by debris.
Within the enclosure are the remains of 3 freestanding structures and of 4 others built against the outer wall.
The largest of these, near the centre of the enclosure, measures 4.9m in diameter within a wall averaging 1.3m in thickness and surviving to a maximum height of 1.4m.
It is entered from the W through a sub-circular structure of lighter, and possibly secondary, construction. Lying to the E is another, much ruined, circular structure approximately 4.8m in diameter within walls about 1.0m thick. Within lies a low circular platform known as the 'Old Altar', still treated as a sacred place by the islanders at the end of the 19th century.
Immediately to the SE of this is a small structure, approximately 1.9m in diameter, built against the enclosure wall, and interpreted as the remains of a horizontal, or "click", mill. A stone-lined water-course is visible beneath the N half of the building, and leads from the so-called wellhouse, built against the W wall of the enclosure.
About 15m S of the enclosure are the footings of a rectangular building measuring approximately 6.8m NE-SW by 4.8m, within a wall 0.9m thick. There are traces of an entrance half way along the N wall, opposite the entrance to the enclosure, suggesting contemporary use, and it has been suggested that this may have been the church. A further ruinous wall appears to enclose this to the W, with the remainder of the perimeter formed by the edge of low cliffs.
The remains lie on a broad terrace at the foot of a cliff on the S coast of Canna. It is the furthest point W from which the probable monastic site at A'Chill is visible, and it seems likely that this was a place of retreat from the main monastic site, which has been claimed as the Hinba of St Columba.
The area to be scheduled is irregular in shape, measuring a maximum of 95m N-S by a maximum of 60m E-W, to include the main enclosure and the associated enclosure to its S. It extends 15m from the enclosure walls to N and W, and to the top of a low cliff to E and S, as defined in red on the accompanying map.