Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 29 min3:59 am – 10:27 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 13 min9:03 am – 3:15 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,337 residentsin the East Mainland census areaMedian age 44.01,852 households78% of homes owner-occupied47% owned outright13% social rented, 7% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.5% unemployment rate69% of adults are economically active, 2,339 in work, 23% retiredMain industries: health and social work 14%, retail and wholesale 11%, construction 11%Getting to work: 27% work from home, 62% go by car, 7% walk or cycle72% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages32% of adults hold a degree or higher14% have no qualifications, 11% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, Scots 1%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: average 13°CColdest month February: average 4°C1,097 mm of rain a year, 26 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November22 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 landmarksLoch of Graemeshalllake · 1.0 miSand of Graemeshallbeach · 1.2 miLoch of Ayrelake · 1.4 miBay of Legrowbay · 1.2 miBay of Sandoynebay · 1.3 miCletty Sandbeach · 2.0 miLamb Holmisland · 1.9 miSkaildaquoy Pointheadland · 1.5 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesPapdale East Parkpark · 4.6 mi · 3 haBrandyquoy Parkpark · 4.9 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
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 202144 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.1 · PM2.5 3.3 · PM10 5.4 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 broadband86% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.5% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,077 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation31 m102 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 4 to 48 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgerySkerryvore Practice4.6 miPharmacyOrcades Practice4.6 miDentistThe Balfour4.6 miPolice stationKirkwall Police Station5.2 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportKirkwall Airport KOI3.1 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ121 miBus stationTravel CentreKirkwall5.2 miFerryKirkwall Shapinsay Ferry Terminal5.3 miBus stops6 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW17 postcode district.
