Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 51 min4:16 am – 10:07 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 45 min8:45 am – 3:30 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People5,157 residentsin the Mearns South and Benholm census areaMedian age 46.22,177 households73% of homes owner-occupied40% owned outright13% social rented, 12% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.1% unemployment rate62% of adults are economically active, 2,485 in work, 26% retiredMain industries: health and social work 12%, manufacturing 10%, retail and wholesale 9%Getting to work: 33% work from home, 60% go by car, 2% take public transport, 3% walk or cycle34% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages34% of adults hold a degree or higher12% have no qualifications, 9% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 18°C, lows 10°CColdest month January: highs 6°C, lows 0°C969 mm of rain a year, 29 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November52 days of air frost, 1 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 landmarksGallow Hillhill · under a mileLoch Saughlake · 2.1 miCloven Hillockshill · under a mileCleek Lochlake · 2.2 miGlen Muchraeglen · 2.6 miFriar's Glenglen · 2.8 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.5 · PM2.5 3.8 · PM10 7.4 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband26% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband91% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,375 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation78 m256 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 69 to 178 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalStracathro Hospital7.3 miGP surgeryLaurencekirk Medical Group3.5 miPharmacyCharles Michie3.7 miDentistEsk Dental Care11 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportAberdeen International Airport ABZ26 miRailway stationLaurencekirk3.5 miFerryAberdeen Ferry Terminal25 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the AB30 postcode district.
