Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 19 h 0 min3:36 am – 10:36 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 5 h 46 min9:09 am – 2:55 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,572 residentsin the East and West Mainland census areaMedian age 44.91,096 households79% of homes owner-occupied51% owned outright12% social rented, 6% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.9% unemployment rate69% of adults are economically active, 1,376 in work, 22% retiredMain industries: health and social work 14%, farming, forestry and fishing 13%, education 10%Getting to work: 26% work from home, 67% go by car, 2% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle25% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages33% of adults hold a degree or higher13% have no qualifications, 14% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 95%, Scots 3%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 15°C, lows 10°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows 1°C1,101 mm of rain a year, 26 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January25 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 Garthslake · under a mileAyre of Durybeach · under a mileLoch of Bellisterlake · 1.0 miAyre of Valtosbeach · 1.2 miBight of Bellisterbay · under a mileMuckle Headheadland · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes4 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19702 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 20096 mi away, Shetland IslandsMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 20096 mi away, Shetland IslandsSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband9.2% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband50% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)9.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,279 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation29 m95 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 123 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalGilbert Bain Hospital12 miGP surgeryWalls Health Centre4.1 miPharmacyWhalsay Health Centre4.9 miDentistBrae Dental Clinic8.4 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportLerwick / Tingwall Airport LWK9.4 miBus stationViking Bus StationLerwick11 miFerryLaxo Shetland Ferry Terminal2.4 miBus stops2 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the ZE2 postcode district.
