Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 55 min3:39 am – 10:34 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 5 h 51 min9:08 am – 2:58 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,147 residentsin the Central Shetland census areaMedian age 43.01,834 households73% of homes owner-occupied43% owned outright19% social rented, 6% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.5% unemployment rate70% of adults are economically active, 2,279 in work, 22% retiredMain industries: health and social work 15%, retail and wholesale 9%, farming, forestry and fishing 9%Getting to work: 24% work from home, 67% go by car, 2% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle67% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages30% of adults hold a degree or higher12% have no qualifications, 14% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%, Scots 2%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 15°C, lows 11°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,280 mm of rain a year, 36 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January14 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 landmarksSand of Mealbeach · under a mileHamna Voebay · under a mileMuckle Hurdsbay · under a mileSouth Ayrebeach · 1.1 miAtla Nessheadland · under a mileLu Nessheadland · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes6 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19703 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 2 Mar 201245 mi away, Fair Isle, ShetlandMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 2 Mar 201245 mi away, Fair Isle, ShetlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.8 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband20% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband89% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.9% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,032 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation23 m75 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 0 to 57 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalGilbert Bain Hospital6.9 miGP surgeryScalloway Health Centre LLP3.2 miPharmacyNorsepharm LTD3.0 miDentist4 Market Street7.3 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportLerwick / Tingwall Airport LWK6.7 miBus stationViking Bus StationLerwick7.4 miFerryScalloway Shetland Ferry Terminal2.8 miBus stops13 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the ZE2 postcode district.
