Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 17 min4:06 am – 10:23 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 23 min8:59 am – 3:22 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,088 residentsin the Caithness South census areaMedian age 53.61,461 households79% of homes owner-occupied55% owned outright11% social rented, 7% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.6% unemployment rate56% of adults are economically active, 1,427 in work, 30% retiredMain industries: health and social work 15%, retail and wholesale 10%, manufacturing 10%Getting to work: 31% work from home, 60% go by car, 3% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle47% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages27% of adults hold a degree or higher19% have no qualifications, 11% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 16°C, lows 10°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows 1°C911 mm of rain a year, 15 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November52 days of air frost, no 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 landmarksCreek Bellybay · 1.5 miGotten Chalmanbay · 1.6 miThe Stacksisland · 1.9 miBlack Hillhill · under a mileBen-a-Chieltmountain · 3.5 miThe Duinheadland · 1.6 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes7 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202128 mi away, Melvich, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202128 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.6 · PM10 5.6 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband64% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband88% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,603 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation112 m367 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 57 to 126 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalWick Town And County Hospital10 miGP surgeryDunbeath Surgery7.5 miPharmacyDunbeath Surgery7.5 miDentistThe Bridges Dental Clinic11 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryLybster Primary Schoolunder a mileSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportWick John O'Groats Airport WIC12 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ87 miRailway stationWick11 miFerryScrabster Ferry Terminal22 miBus stops5 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW3 postcode district.
