Its first crossing was built more than 100 years ago to allow pupils from the neighbouring Canna island to attend school, but when it was destroyed by a flood in 2005 it was replaced with a road bridge despite the island having no access for vehicles.

When the tide is low vehicles can cross the bridge and continue along an extremely rocky and uneven track to the houses and school, but when the tide is in, vehicle access is blocked and travel is only possible by foot or quad bike.

The fundraising target of £14,000 would see the island finally get a 1.5 mile road which would allow the nine locals to get off regardless of the state of the tide.

It is hoped that creating the track will encourage new people to settle on the island.

The cost of the road is £31,000 and the islanders have already raised more than £16,000, including £9,000 from the island’s owners the National Trust for Scotland.

Now they have launched a Justgiving page to raise the rest and have already received donations from visitors to the island.

A spokeswoman for the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust told The Herald: “We have already raised £16,750 towards the total cost of £31,428 for the road and just need help to fund this last bit.

“Our project is to build a track across Sanday so the community can get to and from their homes and businesses when the tide is in.

“This will make a huge and immediate difference to the lives of everyone living there. Alongside the track we are going to create a trail to link sites of interest on Sanday together. These include the bridge itself, the shrine, machair and sand dunes, archeology, bird colonies, working croft lands, St Edwards Church and Sanday lighthouse.”

A National Trust for Scotland spokesman said: “This is a great project for Canna and our charity has pledged £9,000 in support. We wish the community every success in their bid to raise the remaining funds.”