Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 34 min3:56 am – 10:31 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 8 min9:06 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: highs 16°C, lows 10°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,100 mm of rain a year, 22 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November20 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 landmarksLoch of Wasbisterlake · under a mileNousty Sandbeach · under a mileLoch of Moanlake · under a mileThe Burrianisland · under a mileDiggerbeach · 1.8 miRousayisland · 1.3 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesRousay Community Gardenpark · 3.1 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
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 197334 mi away, Fair IsleMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 22 Aug 201449 mi away, Off Bettyhill, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.8 · PM2.5 3.2 · PM10 5.2 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
Elevation13 m43 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 3 to 109 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryIslands View Surgery4.3 miPharmacyNorsepharm LTD9.8 miDentistDaisybank Clinic14 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportEday Airport EOI10 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ140 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall14 miFerryRousay Orkney Ferry Terminal4.3 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
