Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 27 min4:00 am – 10:27 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 14 min9:03 am – 3:17 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: average 14°CColdest month February: average 5°C980 mm of rain a year, 19 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November17 days of air frost, no summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid
Nearby landmarksSand of Wrightbeach · under a mileDam of Hoxabay · under a mileWidewall Baybay · under a mileAyre of Banksbeach · 1.7 miHoxa Headheadland · 1.1 miLong Ayreheadland · 1.5 miHundaisland · 2.0 miThe Warthill · 1.0 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesHope Community Play Parkpark · 1.9 miMarengo Community Gardenpark · 2.0 miSouth Ronaldsay Golf Clubgolf course · 1.7 mi · 14 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes6 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 9 Feb 197349 mi away, Fair IsleMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202138 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.3 · PM10 5.3 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
Elevation25 m82 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 41 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalDunbar Hospital26 miGP surgeryDaisy Villa1.8 miPharmacyDaisy Villa1.8 miDentistThe Balfour10 miPolice stationKirkwall Police Station11 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI9.6 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ116 miRailway stationThurso25 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall11 miFerrySt Margarets Hope Ferry Terminal1.7 miCar parkHoxa Head Car ParkSouth Ronaldsayunder a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
