Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 5 min4:21 am – 10:27 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 33 min9:04 am – 3:37 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,019 residentsin the Ross and Cromarty South West census areaMedian age 57.61,560 households73% of homes owner-occupied55% owned outright14% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.3% unemployment rate57% of adults are economically active, 1,482 in work, 34% retiredMain industries: hospitality 16%, health and social work 12%, farming, forestry and fishing 10%Getting to work: 38% work from home, 49% go by car, 1% take public transport, 10% walk or cycle62% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages41% of adults hold a degree or higher13% have no qualifications, 6% 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 January: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,800 mm of rain a year, 59 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January31 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)
Parks and green spacesGairloch Golf Coursegolf course · 1.8 mi · 9 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes120 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 197024 of magnitude 3+, 3 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 27 Nov 197546 mi away, KintailMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 17 Jul 202620 mi away, Lochcarron, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.7 · PM2.5 3.2 · PM10 4.9 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband8.6% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband61% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)3.1% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,094 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation17 m56 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -2 to 220 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalPortree Hospital27 miGP surgeryAultbea & Gairloch Medical Practice11 miPharmacyTwo Lochs Dispensing LTD3.1 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportStornoway Airport SYY44 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ134 miRailway stationAchnashellach19 miFerryGairloch Ferry Landing1.6 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the IV21 postcode district.
