Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 55 min4:33 am – 10:28 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 42 min9:06 am – 3:48 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 July: highs 16°C, lows 11°CColdest month February: highs 8°C, lows 3°C1,397 mm of rain a year, 42 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January10 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)
Earthquakes4 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 31 Aug 201449 mi away, Ardnamurchan, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 31 Aug 201449 mi away, Ardnamurchan, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.8 · 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
Elevation17 m56 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -2 to 199 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalSt Brendans Cot Hospital12 miGP surgerySouth Uist Medical Practice4.5 miPharmacySouth Uist Medical Practice4.5 miDentistThe Dental Clinic12 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportBarra Airport BRR7.2 miMajor airportGlasgow Airport GLA140 miFerryEriskay Ferry Terminal2.5 miBus stops7 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the HS8 postcode district.
