Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 12 min4:15 am – 10:28 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 27 min9:04 am – 3:31 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,229 residentsin the Sutherland North and West census areaMedian age 55.71,673 households71% of homes owner-occupied55% owned outright16% social rented, 8% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.5% unemployment rate58% of adults are economically active, 1,627 in work, 30% retiredMain industries: hospitality 13%, farming, forestry and fishing 11%, health and social work 11%Getting to work: 40% work from home, 46% go by car, 2% take public transport, 10% walk or cycle43% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages32% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 9% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 10°CColdest month January: highs 5°C, lows 1°C2,026 mm of rain a year, 69 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January55 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)
Earthquakes49 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19703 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 10 Aug 197450 mi away, KintailMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 17 Jul 202648 mi away, Lochcarron, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.6 · PM2.5 3.5 · PM10 5.3 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband15% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband49% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)8.0% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,350 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation145 m476 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 110 to 278 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryAssynt Medical Practice10 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportStornoway Airport SYY49 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ120 miRailway stationLairg23 miFerryUllapool Ferry Terminal12 miBus stops8 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the IV27 postcode district.
