Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 32 min3:58 am – 10:29 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 10 min9:05 am – 3:15 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,216 residentsin the West Mainland census areaMedian age 52.01,919 households79% of homes owner-occupied54% owned outright11% social rented, 7% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.7% unemployment rate63% of adults are economically active, 2,231 in work, 28% retiredMain industries: health and social work 14%, farming, forestry and fishing 10%, construction 10%Getting to work: 29% work from home, 63% go by car, 2% take public transport, 3% walk or cycle32% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages34% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 10% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 16°C, lows 10°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,118 mm of rain a year, 27 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November32 days of air frost, no 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 landmarksHinder Ayrebeach · under a mileLoch of Brockanlake · 1.2 miBay of Puldritebay · under a mileBay of Hinderayrebay · under a mileVarme Daledale · under a mileHolm of Rendallisland · 1.3 miGorseness Hillhill · under a mileEnyas Hillhill · 1.0 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes5 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 9 Feb 197338 mi away, Fair IsleMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202147 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.0 · PM2.5 3.3 · PM10 5.6 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband34% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband79% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.9% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,176 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation46 m151 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 118 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryIslands View Surgery5.4 miPharmacyBoots The Chemists LTD5.6 miDentistKirkwall Dental Practice5.6 miPolice stationKirkwall Police Station5.5 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI8.0 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ132 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall5.5 miFerryTingwall Orkney Ferry Terminal2.3 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
