SEVENTY years ago they held their dances in the island's coal shed and even today there is no village hall for the 22-strong community on Canna.

However, it now looks likely that there will soon be a place for the islanders to Strip the Willow after discussions with the island's owners, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), over a site for a new multi-purpose community hall and bunkhouse.

Three years ago, the community was down to nine following the departure of several who had come to settle but the population has been recovering, and ranges in age from five to 82.

Now the community wants to grow further and the need for new facilities has long been identified as vital.

The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust, set up by the islanders who were at odds in the past with the NTS over issues such as housing policy, commissioned a feasibility study earlier which makes the case anew

It said: "There is currently no suitable, communal space in which we can gather and there is a distinct lack of visitor accommodation. Up until the outbreak of World War II, the old coal shed was used for village dances. Currently the community use whatever space is available to them.

"The visiting doctor uses the kitchen in Canna House; the most recent Burns Night was celebrated in the community shop, and community meetings have taken place in the church or most recently the community shop."

Designs for the new facility include provision for sports facilities, meeting rooms, library, interpretation and information area.

The island already attracts 10,000 visitors a year and the community also wants to build on this. Bunkhouse style accommodation would improve visitor facilities particularly for those who arrive by yacht and make use of the community-owned visitor moorings.

But the feasibility study highlights: "The success of the project is based on the assumption that the NTS and the Development Trust will be able to come to an agreement over land tenure/ownership so the project is eligible for public funding from bodies such as the Big Lottery and European funders."

Canna was gifted to the charity by the celebrated Gaelic scholar, folklorist, historian, and author John Lorne Campbell in 1981, and the terms of the bequest have restricted and complicated NTS's stewardship of the island.

But it now seems likely the NTS will help the islanders.

A spokesman for the NTS said: "The trust has received proposals prepared by a consultant on behalf of the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust.

"Following on from a series of amiable and constructive discussions between the NTS and the community, the proposals are being reviewed over the next week to 10 days.

"It is our expectation that we can offer a positive response that dovetails the aspirations of the community with the Trust's conservation obligations."

Stewart Connor, project manager for the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust who has been working on the project voluntarily, said: "This is a very exciting project for Canna and will help to bring us closer to 21st century community living. Having a community hub and bunkhouse will ensure Canna is well placed to support a viable and sustainable population well into the future.

"We have been very encouraged by the new thinking within the NTS where they have reaffirmed their support for, and embrace, the potential benefits to be gained from an empowered community.

"We look forward to receiving full approval from the NTS that will allow us to take this project forward to both funding and planning applications.

"The land ownership issues are fundamental in ensuring the success of any funding application and we are sure that a solution to this will be found that allows the project to proceed to the next stage."