Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 31 min3:57 am – 10:29 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 10 min9:04 am – 3:14 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,156 residentsin the Isles census areaMedian age 54.92,080 households76% of homes owner-occupied59% owned outright11% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.3% unemployment rate58% of adults are economically active, 1,987 in work, 32% retiredMain industries: farming, forestry and fishing 21%, health and social work 12%, education 9%Getting to work: 41% work from home, 45% go by car, 2% take public transport, 6% walk or cycle52% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages34% of adults hold a degree or higher21% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, Scots 1%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 16°C, lows 10°CColdest month January: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,041 mm of rain a year, 24 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November19 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 landmarksElwickbay · under a mileFurrow of Agricolabeach · 1.0 miLoch of Westhilllake · 1.1 miHelliar Holmisland · under a mileVasa Lochlake · 1.3 miMaesleebeach · 1.5 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesPapdale East Parkpark · 3.8 mi · 3 haBrandyquoy Parkpark · 3.9 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes5 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 9 Feb 197336 mi away, Fair IsleMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202149 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.6 · PM2.5 3.4 · PM10 6.0 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband38% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband57% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)8.4% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,627 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation7 m23 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 37 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgerySkerryvore Practice4.5 miPharmacyBoots The Chemists LTD3.8 miDentistDaisybank Clinic3.6 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryShapinsay Community Schoolunder a mileSecondaryKirkwall Grammar School3.9 miSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI5.1 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ129 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall3.8 miFerryShapinsay Orkney Ferry TerminalBalfourunder a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
