Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 25 min4:34 am – 9:59 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 9 min8:38 am – 3:47 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,868 residentsin the Shawhead census areaMedian age 55.61,324 households75% of homes owner-occupied54% owned outright4% social rented, 16% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.7% unemployment rate58% of adults are economically active, 1,406 in work, 33% retiredMain industries: health and social work 16%, farming, forestry and fishing 13%, retail and wholesale 9%Getting to work: 36% work from home, 59% go by car, 2% take public transport, 3% walk or cycle53% 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 higher17% have no qualifications, 9% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 18°C, lows 10°CColdest month December: highs 6°C, lows 1°C1,362 mm of rain a year, 45 days with 10 mm or morewettest month December57 days of air frost, 3 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 landmarksGardener's Poollake · under a mileHannah's Poollake · under a mileBrock Hillhill · under a mileThe Gushwaterfall · 2.9 miCats Craighill · 1.0 miHell Caldronwater · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes44 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19708 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 26 Dec 197936 mi away, Longtown, CumbriaMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 24 Oct 20203 mi away, Dumfries, D & GSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.5 · PM2.5 4.2 · PM10 6.1 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband56% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband95% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.4% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,407 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation116 m381 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 62 to 175 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalThornhill Hospital6.5 miGP surgeryCairn Valley Medical Practiceright herePharmacyCairn Valley Medical Practiceright hereDentistThornhill Dental Practice7.0 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryDunscore Schoolunder a mileSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportGlasgow Prestwick Airport PIK40 miRailway stationDumfries8.3 miBus stationStance 5Dumfries8.1 miBus stops4 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the DG2 postcode district.
