Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 58 min4:25 am – 10:23 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 39 min9:01 am – 3:40 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,754 residentsin the Lochalsh census areaMedian age 51.81,368 households66% of homes owner-occupied45% owned outright22% social rented, 8% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.8% unemployment rate61% of adults are economically active, 1,401 in work, 26% retiredMain industries: hospitality 13%, health and social work 12%, education 10%Getting to work: 30% work from home, 56% go by car, 2% take public transport, 10% walk or cycle55% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages35% of adults hold a degree or higher13% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 10°CColdest month February: highs 7°C, lows 1°C2,145 mm of rain a year, 66 days with 10 mm or morewettest month December30 days of air frost, 2 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 landmarksBalmacara Baybay · under a mileLoch Iain Oiglake · 1.5 miLoch Palasgaiglake · 1.7 miCarn an t-Seachrainmountain · 2.7 miBeinn Raimhmountain · 3.4 miArd Hillhill · 1.0 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes170 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 197034 of magnitude 3+, 4 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 4 Aug 201734 mi away, Moidart, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 28 Jul 202640 mi away, Spean Bridge, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.0 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.8 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband10% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband76% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)3.7% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,656 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation5 m16 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -2 to 201 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryKyle Medical Practice2.9 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryAuchtertyre Primary2.0 miSecondaryPlockton High School3.7 miSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportOban Airport OBN57 miMajor airportGlasgow Airport GLA108 miRailway stationKyle of Lochalsh2.8 miFerryKyle of Lochalsh Ferry Terminal2.8 miBus stops6 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the IV40 postcode district.
