Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 9 min4:19 am – 10:28 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 29 min9:05 am – 3:35 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,210 residentsin the Ross and Cromarty North West census areaMedian age 53.91,561 households72% of homes owner-occupied53% owned outright16% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.2% unemployment rate62% of adults are economically active, 1,670 in work, 29% retiredMain industries: hospitality 15%, retail and wholesale 12%, health and social work 11%Getting to work: 37% work from home, 42% go by car, 1% take public transport, 16% walk or cycle68% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages39% of adults hold a degree or higher13% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%, other languages 3%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 11°CColdest month February: highs 8°C, lows 3°C1,479 mm of rain a year, 45 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January16 days of air frost, 1 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)
Earthquakes77 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 197013 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 10 Aug 197435 mi away, KintailMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 17 Jul 202634 mi away, Lochcarron, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.6 · PM2.5 3.2 · PM10 4.9 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband6.1% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband57% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,978 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation21 m69 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -2 to 139 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryAultbea & Gairloch Medical Practice4.8 miPharmacyTwo Lochs Dispensing LTD13 miPolice stationGairloch Police Station13 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportStornoway Airport SYY35 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ135 miRailway stationAchnasheen30 miFerryBadluarach Ferry Landing7.5 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the IV22 postcode district.
