Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 19 h 0 min3:35 am – 10:36 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 5 h 46 min9:09 am – 2:55 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,658 residentsin the North and East Isles census areaMedian age 52.41,232 households74% of homes owner-occupied58% owned outright17% social rented, 6% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.8% unemployment rate59% of adults are economically active, 1,290 in work, 31% retiredMain industries: farming, forestry and fishing 21%, health and social work 13%, transport and storage 11%Getting to work: 26% work from home, 62% go by car, 2% take public transport, 5% walk or cycle55% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages27% of adults hold a degree or higher21% have no qualifications, 10% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 96%, Scots 3%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: average 13°CColdest month February: average 4°C1,111 mm of rain a year, 23 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November13 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 Sandwicklake · under a mileBu Waterlake · under a mileSymbister Baybay · under a mileHuxter Forthistoric site · 1.2 miNorth Voebay · under a mileSalt Nessheadland · under a mileHolm of Sandwickisland · under a mileSymbister Nessheadland · under a mileSources: Ordnance Survey Open Names; Overture Maps
Parks and green spacesHarbison Parkplaying field · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes5 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19702 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 200910 mi away, Shetland IslandsMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 200910 mi away, Shetland IslandsSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 2.5 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband68% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband84% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.0% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,536 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation1 m3 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 111 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalGilbert Bain Hospital14 miGP surgeryWhalsay Health Centreunder a milePharmacyWhalsay Health Centreunder a mileDentistBrae Dental Clinic12 miPolice stationLerwick Police Station14 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 all-throughAll-throughWhalsay Schoolunder a mileSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportLerwick / Tingwall Airport LWK13 miBus stationViking Bus StationLerwick13 miFerryWhalsay Shetland Ferry TerminalSymbisterunder a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the ZE2 postcode district.
