Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 56 min3:39 am – 10:35 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 5 h 49 min9:09 am – 2:58 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 16°C, lows 11°CColdest month February: highs 7°C, lows 2°C1,147 mm of rain a year, 28 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January19 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 landmarksScarf Waterlake · under a mileLoch of Arglake · under a mileTent Ayrebeach · 1.1 miAyre of Swartagillbeach · 1.2 miKirka Nessheadland · under a mileGrossa Stackisland · 1.3 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes5 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19702 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 2 Mar 201249 mi away, Fair Isle, ShetlandMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 2 Mar 201249 mi away, Fair Isle, ShetlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.8 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.9 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
Elevation46 m151 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 15 to 95 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalGilbert Bain Hospital11 miGP surgeryBixter Health Centre5.7 miPharmacyBixter Health Centre5.7 miDentist4 Market Street11 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportLerwick / Tingwall Airport LWK7.8 miBus stationViking Bus StationLerwick11 miFerryWalls Shetland Ferry Terminal4.7 miBus stops12 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the ZE2 postcode district.
