Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 31 min3:57 am – 10:28 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 11 min9:04 am – 3:14 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,156 residentsin the Isles census areaMedian age 54.92,080 households76% of homes owner-occupied59% owned outright11% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.3% unemployment rate58% of adults are economically active, 1,987 in work, 32% retiredMain industries: farming, forestry and fishing 21%, health and social work 12%, education 9%Getting to work: 41% work from home, 45% go by car, 2% take public transport, 6% walk or cycle52% 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 higher21% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, Scots 1%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: average 13°CColdest month February: average 5°C1,055 mm of rain a year, 24 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November14 days of air frost, no summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid
Nearby landmarksCastle Bloodycastle · under a milePool of Haroldsgarthbeach · under a mileBay of Sandgarthbay · under a mileHolm of Burghleeisland · under a mileHaco's Nessheadland · under a mileHolm of Berstaneheadland · 1.0 miBay of Crookbay · 1.5 miLoop of Sandbercliffs · 1.1 miSources: Ordnance Survey Open Names; Overture Maps
Earthquakes4 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19702 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 2 Mar 201250 mi away, Fair Isle, ShetlandMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 2 Mar 201250 mi away, Fair Isle, ShetlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.0 · PM2.5 3.3 · PM10 5.5 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband38% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband57% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)8.4% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,627 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation19 m62 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 38 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgerySkerryvore Practice6.1 miPharmacyBoots The Chemists LTD5.5 miDentistDaisybank Clinic5.2 miPolice stationKirkwall Police Station5.6 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI5.4 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ128 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall5.6 miFerryShapinsay Orkney Ferry TerminalBalfour3.0 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
