Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 22 min4:05 am – 10:26 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 18 min9:03 am – 3:21 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,940 residentsin the Caithness North West census areaMedian age 49.32,312 households76% of homes owner-occupied49% owned outright12% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.2% unemployment rate63% of adults are economically active, 2,556 in work, 26% retiredMain industries: health and social work 10%, water and waste 9%, retail and wholesale 8%Getting to work: 33% work from home, 58% go by car, 3% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle44% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages26% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 11% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 10°CColdest month February: highs 7°C, lows 1°C951 mm of rain a year, 20 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October54 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 landmarksUpper Commissary Poollake · under a mileLower Commissary Poollake · under a mileGeise Stream Poolriver · under a mileOld Cruives Dykeriver · 1.1 miFence Poolswater · 1.0 miHill of Howehill · 1.7 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesThurso Golf Clubgolf course · under a mile · 53 haSir Georges Parksports ground · 1.8 mi · 3 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes10 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 1 Jan 202245 mi away, Durness, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 1 Jan 202245 mi away, Durness, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.7 · PM10 6.2 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband32% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband66% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)2.9% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,436 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation56 m184 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 7 to 68 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryThurso & Halkirk Medical Practice2 surgeries within 2 miles1.7 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi3 schools2 primary, 1 secondarySecondaryThurso High School1.3 miPrimaryMiller Academy Primary School1.7 miPrimaryPennyland Primary School1.8 miSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportWick John O'Groats Airport WIC18 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ107 miRailway stationThurso1.6 miFerryScrabster Ferry Terminal2.9 miBus stops11 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW14 postcode district.
