Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 14 min4:20 am – 10:34 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 26 min9:10 am – 3:36 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,279 residentsin the South Lewis census areaMedian age 55.12,153 households78% of homes owner-occupied61% owned outright14% social rented, 5% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.3% unemployment rate57% of adults are economically active, 2,070 in work, 32% retiredMain industries: health and social work 15%, education 9%, manufacturing 8%Getting to work: 32% work from home, 57% go by car, 3% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle45% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages35% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 9% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 91%, Gaelic 8%, 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°C1,313 mm of rain a year, 34 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January27 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)
Earthquakes28 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 8 Feb 202148 mi away, Diabaig, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 8 Feb 202148 mi away, Diabaig, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.9 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.8 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband10% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband55% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)8.0% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,920 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation8 m26 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -2 to 56 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalWestern Isles Hospital6.3 miGP surgeryLangabhat Medical Practice2.9 miPharmacyLangabhat Medical Practice2.9 miDentistCastleview Dental Practice5.6 miPolice stationStornoway Police Office5.5 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportStornoway Airport SYY6.8 miBus stationBus StationStornoway5.4 miFerryStornoway Lewis Ferry Terminal5.3 miBus stops27 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the HS2 postcode district.
