Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 31 min3:58 am – 10:29 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 11 min9:05 am – 3:16 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,216 residentsin the West Mainland census areaMedian age 52.01,919 households79% of homes owner-occupied54% owned outright11% social rented, 7% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.7% unemployment rate63% of adults are economically active, 2,231 in work, 28% retiredMain industries: health and social work 14%, farming, forestry and fishing 10%, construction 10%Getting to work: 29% work from home, 63% go by car, 2% take public transport, 3% walk or cycle32% 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 higher17% have no qualifications, 10% 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 January: highs 7°C, lows 2°C1,127 mm of rain a year, 29 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November37 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 landmarksLoch of Wasdalelake · 1.0 miStenna Daledale · under a mileSands of Fidgeonbeach · 1.4 miBay of Firthbay · 1.1 miWas Daledale · under a mileThe Ousetidal water · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes4 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 9 Feb 197342 mi away, Fair IsleMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202143 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.2 · PM2.5 3.4 · PM10 5.5 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband34% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband79% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.9% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,176 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation14 m46 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 143 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryDounby Surgery5.6 miPharmacyNorsepharm LTD5.7 miDentistKirkwall Dental Practice6.0 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryFirth Primary Schoolunder a mileSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI8.5 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ129 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall5.9 miFerryKirkwall Orkney Hatston Ferry Terminal5.1 miBus stops16 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
