Locality Profiles - Online Versions

Whalsay & Skerries

Whalsay and Skerries are island communities that lie off the east coast of the Shetland mainland. Both are accessed by roll-on-roll-off ferries. The Whalsay ferry runs regularly 7 days a week and the journey takes 30 minutes. The Skerries ferry runs 6 days a week, with journeys taking 90 minutes or 2.5 hours depending on departure point.

Whalsay is a proud fishing community, home to a fleet of locally owned fishing vessels as well as plenty of smaller boats and sea craft. There are high levels of employment in the public sector as well as private businesses, such as aquaculture. Crofting is also an important way of life. Whalsay is one of the more densely populated of the Shetland Islands. Much of the infrastructure has been built up through community fund-raising, it has a harbour; nursery, primary and secondary schools; health centre & dental surgery; residential care home; leisure centre; heritage centre; boating club; pub; youth centre; café; snooker club, all-weather pitch, golf course and several other community run facilities. Many of these were built over 50 years ago.

Skerries is popular with birdwatchers and visiting yachts, with around 35 permanent residents. It has a community hall, two shops with one housing the post office, a kirk and a new waiting room at the pier (built by the Skerries Development Group in partnership with Shetland Islands Council).
 

Measure Data Update
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Population Change

 In 2021, there was an 8% decrease in population over 10 years, the Shetland population overall has declined by 1% in this time.
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Population Total

 In 2021, there were 1,065 people were living in Whalsay & Skerries, 5% of Shetland’s population.
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Population aged over 65

 In 2021, 25.7% of the population were aged 65 and over, higher than the Shetland average of 21.8% and 4.3% more than 10 years ago.
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Population aged under 16

 In 2021, 18.7% of the population were under 16 years old, higher than the Shetland average of 17.9% and 1.6% less than 10 years previously.
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Children in Poverty

 In 2020-21, 9.2% of children were living in poverty, lower than the Shetland average of 13%.
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Cost of Living

 The cost of living is up to 13% higher than the Shetland average and up to 62% higher than the UK average.
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Out of Work Benefits

 In 2021-22, 3.1% of the population claimed out of work benefits, the Shetland average was 8.8%.
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Median Income

 In 2022, median income was reported as 22.2% lower than the Shetland average and 19.5% less than the Scottish average.
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Average House Price

 No information available at the time of publication.
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International Designations

 There is 1 site considered the best for wildlife in Europe (international designations).
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Local Nature Conservation Sites

 There are no Local Nature Conservation Sites.
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Sites of Special Scientific Interest

 There are no Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
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Growing and Eating own Produce

 In 2021, 46% of the population reported growing and eating their own produce, the Shetland average was 30%.
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Drinking at a harmful or hazardous level

 In 2021, 16.7% of the population reported drinking alcohol at a harmful or hazardous level; the Shetland average was 17.7%.
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Physically Active 5+ days a week

 In 2021, 63% of the population reported being physically active on 5+ days per week, the Shetland average was 58%.
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Loneliness

 In 2021, 4% of the population reported feeling lonely, the Shetland average was 17%.
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School Roll

 In 2023, the School Roll was 170.
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Participation Rate

 In 2023, 100% of 16-19 year olds were in education, training or employment, the Shetland average was 97.4%.
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General Health Rating

 In 2021, 75% of the population reported that they rated their general health as 'good', this is the joint highest in Shetland, where the average was 69.9%.

Locality Profiles are intended to be useful for both communities and partners to provide detailed information at a local level, for purposes including service redesign, local plans and maximising opportunities to seek external funding to support community development. Profiles have been created for each of the 7 localities in Shetland. Statistics should be treated with caution due to small numbers, and figures can fluctuate significantly. A seperate profile for Skerries is also available.

Data Sources: CACI Paycheck 2022; Highlands and Islands Enterprise - Minimum Income Standard 2016; Improvement Service 2023; National Records Scotland (NRS) Population estimates 2021; NHS Shetland Population Health Survey 2021; Scottish Government: House Prices - Residential Properties Sales and Price 2022; Shetland Islands Council Local Development Plan 2014 Appendix III Environmental Baseline; Shetland Islands Council 2023; Skills Development Scotland, Annual Participation Measure 2023. Definitions, full details and links can be found on the Shetland Partnership website.

 

Published December 2023