Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 52 min4:28 am – 10:20 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 45 min8:58 am – 3:42 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,819 residentsin the Lochaber West census areaMedian age 51.92,291 households68% of homes owner-occupied47% owned outright16% social rented, 12% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.6% unemployment rate64% of adults are economically active, 2,614 in work, 26% retiredMain industries: hospitality 14%, health and social work 11%, farming, forestry and fishing 11%Getting to work: 38% work from home, 47% go by car, 2% take public transport, 12% walk or cycle58% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages37% of adults hold a degree or higher15% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%, Gaelic 1%, other languages 3%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 10°CColdest month January: highs 7°C, lows 2°C2,572 mm of rain a year, 98 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January61 days of air frost, 3 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)
Earthquakes176 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 197040 of magnitude 3+, 5 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 4 Aug 201711 mi away, Moidart, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 28 Jul 202628 mi away, Spean Bridge, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.8 · PM2.5 2.9 · PM10 4.5 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband13% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband54% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)7.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,961 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation28 m92 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 17 to 419 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalBelford Hospital21 miGP surgeryMallaig And Arisaig Medical Practice11 miPharmacyM Farren LTD11 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportOban Airport OBN31 miMajor airportGlasgow Airport GLA84 miRailway stationLochailort1.2 miFerryTarbet (Loch Nevis) Ferry Landing5.8 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the PH38 postcode district.
