Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 21 min4:39 am – 9:59 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 12 min8:39 am – 3:51 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,849 residentsin the Machars South census areaMedian age 57.02,474 households66% of homes owner-occupied52% owned outright17% social rented, 13% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.7% unemployment rate49% of adults are economically active, 1,992 in work, 38% retiredMain industries: farming, forestry and fishing 22%, health and social work 12%, retail and wholesale 11%Getting to work: 38% work from home, 52% go by car, 1% take public transport, 6% walk or cycle43% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages28% of adults hold a degree or higher24% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, Scots 1%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 19°C, lows 11°CColdest month January: highs 7°C, lows 2°C1,300 mm of rain a year, 41 days with 10 mm or morewettest month December41 days of air frost, 4 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksGallow Hillhill · under a mileHouse Hillhill · under a mileTorhouse Stone Circlehistoric site · 2.8 miLingdarrochwater · under a mileMaidland Woodwoodland · under a mileLoch Murraylake · 3.8 miThe Forestforest · 3.4 miBallaird Lochlake · 4.1 miSources: Ordnance Survey Open Names; Overture Maps
Parks and green spacesSouthfield Parkpark · under a mile · 3 haWigtown and Bladnoch Golf Clubgolf course · under a mile · 13 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes26 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19704 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 4 Mar 199948 mi away, Arran, StrathclydeMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 30 May 202250 mi away, Arran, North AyrshireSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.5 · PM2.5 3.9 · PM10 6.6 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband33% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband98% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.2% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,771 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation7 m23 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -3 to 80 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalNewton Stewart Hospital6.4 miGP surgeryCairnsmore Medical Practice7.0 miPharmacyCreebridge Mill LTDunder a mileDentist2 Princes Street6.7 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi2 schools2 primaryPrimaryWigtown Primary Schoolunder a milePrimaryKirkinner School1.7 miSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportGlasgow Prestwick Airport PIK45 miRailway stationBarrhill21 miFerryStranraer Ferry Terminal23 miBus stops6 within a mileEV chargingInstaVolt Charging StationNewton Stewart3.9 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the DG8 postcode district.
