Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 9 min4:24 am – 10:32 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 30 min9:09 am – 3:39 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 August: highs 16°C, lows 11°CColdest month February: highs 7°C, lows 3°C1,777 mm of rain a year, 46 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November12 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)
Earthquakes29 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19702 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 10 Aug 197450 mi away, KintailMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 8 Feb 202144 mi away, Diabaig, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.7 · PM2.5 3.0 · 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
Elevation29 m95 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -2 to 101 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalWestern Isles Hospital27 miGP surgeryNorth Harris Medical Practice6.1 miPharmacyNorth Harris Medical Practice6.1 miDentistNorth Harris Health Hub6.1 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportStornoway Airport SYY28 miFerryTarbert (Harris) Ferry Terminal5.4 miBus stops1 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the HS4 postcode district.
