Unfortunately on this summer solstice, some cloud obscured the sun as it set at 10.02pm  and it will never really get dark until it rises at 4.26am.  But on the winter solstice it will rise at 8.49am and set at 3.39pm – a difference with 6 hours 50 minutes of daylight compared with 17 hours 36 minutes today.  In comparison with central London we have 57 minutes longer day now compared with 59 minutes less in December. The difference between Shetland in the north of Britain and Land’s End in the southwest is very much greater.