Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 32 min3:58 am – 10:30 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 10 min9:05 am – 3:15 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°C1,075 mm of rain a year, 25 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November43 days of air frost, 1 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 Bosquoylake · under a mileLoch of Sabistonlake · 1.7 miHolm of Kirknessisland · 1.2 miThe Shunanwater · under a mileParro Shunwater · under a mileWhilliastanebay · 2.3 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesMarket Greenpark · under a mileSource: 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 197343 mi away, Fair IsleMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202143 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.4 · PM10 5.7 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
Elevation34 m112 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 7 to 54 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryDounby Surgery2 surgeries within 2 milesunder a milePharmacyNorsepharm LTD1.0 miDentistOrkney Dental7.3 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryDounby Community Schoolunder a mileSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI13 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ134 miBus stationTravel CentreStromness7.4 miFerryTingwall Orkney Ferry Terminal6.2 miBus stops17 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
