Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 0 min4:31 am – 10:31 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 37 min9:08 am – 3:46 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,108 residentsin the Barra and South Uist census areaMedian age 50.81,482 households75% of homes owner-occupied57% owned outright15% social rented, 8% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.6% unemployment rate62% of adults are economically active, 1,535 in work, 27% retiredMain industries: health and social work 16%, transport and storage 11%, farming, forestry and fishing 9%Getting to work: 31% work from home, 59% go by car, 3% take public transport, 3% walk or cycle52% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages29% of adults hold a degree or higher21% have no qualifications, 11% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 88%, Gaelic 11%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 17°C, lows 12°CColdest month February: highs 8°C, lows 3°C1,278 mm of rain a year, 36 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January15 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)
Earthquakes5 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 29 Oct 201846 mi away, Skye, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 29 Oct 201846 mi away, Skye, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.7 · PM2.5 2.9 · PM10 4.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband2.1% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband70% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)4.5% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,008 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation5 m16 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -2 to 9 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalUist & Barra Hospital5.5 miGP surgeryBenbecula Medical Practice3.5 miPharmacyBenbecula Medical Practice3.5 miDentistUist & Barra Dental Hub3.5 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryIochdar Primary Schoolunder a mileSecondarySgoil Lionacleit2.3 miSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportBenbecula Airport BEB6.1 miFerryLochmaddy North Uist Ferry Terminal16 miBus stops17 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the HS8 postcode district.
