[Duncan G]

From BBC News online.

Families wanted for tiny island

An island which has seen drastic action to protect its rare mice and birds is now trying to end a decline in its human population.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) hopes to attract two new families to Canna in the Hebrides.

The trust, which owns the most westerly of the Small Isles, said it has 15 inhabitants left.

In an effort to reverse the decline, NTS is offering two of its properties for rent.

Alex Lindsay, NTS director for the Highlands and Islands, said applicants should be eager to play an active role in the community.

He said: "We are very keen to hear from families who wish to take up the opportunity to live and work on Canna.

"It is hoped that bringing in new residents will contribute to the safeguarding of the school, community and economy of the island, whilst increasing the skills base and making a valuable contribution to island life."

NTS said there were potential employment opportunities on the island for people with building, gardening, electrics or plumbing skills.

Employment on Canna is mainly associated with agriculture in the traditional farming of sheep and cattle together with crofting.

Tourism also plays a role with about 30,000 people visiting every year.

Until now it has been Canna's wildlife that has given NTS most cause for concern.

A rat extermination programme was introduced after it was found that the predators were eating eggs and bird chicks.

The mammals are thought to have been completely wiped out and seabirds such as shag, razorbills and Manx shearwater are showing signs of recovery.

Wood mice were removed from the island so they were not exterminated along with the rats.

Earlier this year, 150 mice were returned to Canna after being looked after at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park.

For more information about the opportunity to live on Canna, please contact the National Trust Scotland on 01631 564710 from Monday 9 October.

Some pictures of Canna.
http://www.guideliner.co.uk/canna.htm

[partyweb]

Originally Posted by sean5302

Reminds me when I spent a fortnight up in John O'Groats....

[Gadget Daddy]

ive rang up they are going to send me some info nothing ventured and all that

Pete

[Mr.D]

I'd quite happily live on a scottish island aas long as I could get a fast enough net connection to be able to work from home. 99% of the meetings I do could be conducted over email or video conferencing.

[mason]

i wouldnt mind doing something like that. being dropped off on a scottish island somewhere with everything i would need from food to a laptop with internet connection!

dont know how long i would last tho if no one else was there.

[unique]

apparently one of the properties can be run as a bed and breakfast, if anyone fancies the faulty towers lifestyle, altho i hear there is a lot of interest

and i hear an american couple and thier kid are moving from NYC to fair isle. the guy is doing crafts but the wife is doing some kind of internet business

you can rent out NTS properties for holidays, like stay on lighthouses and stuff. must be bloody freezing tho. you can even hire bits of castles and palaces for weddings if you fancy a madonna style wedding

[Miyazaki]

That sounds like the kind of place that would be wonderful between May and September, but a shade of hell over the winter.

[Mylo]

Originally Posted by mason

i wouldnt mind doing something like that. being dropped off on a scottish island somewhere with everything i would need from food to a laptop with internet connection!

and an oil tanker sized delivery of beer