Settling in · Stirlingshire
Landing in Stirlingshire? Start here.
The first fortnight in Stirlingshire, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
76 places in Stirlingshire worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
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Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
St Saviour's Scottish episcopal church
Christian, Anglican
21 Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4AT
About 7 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Clouden Road, Cumbernauld, G67 2EP
About 16 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
1 Woodside Court, Falkirk, FK1 5AN
About 18 km away
Bridge of Allan parish church
Christian, Church of scotland
12 Keir Street, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4NW
About 7 km away
Dunblane Christian Fellowship
Christian, Pentecostal
Stirling Road, Dunblane, FK15 9EX
About 10 km away
Free Church of Scotland
Christian, United free church of scotland
1 Beech Road, Dunblane, FK15 0AA
About 10 km away
St Fillan's & Alphonsus
Christian, Roman catholic
Main Street, Doune, FK16 6BW
About 10 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Glasgow
About 39 km away
White House Hall, 20 Neilson road, Paisley, Scotland, PA2 6LN
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 3:00pm (children) · Sat 5:00pm
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Food and takeaways
The Tea House
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-14:00,17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 15:00-22:00
2 Stirling Road, Larbert, FK5 4AF
About 14 km away
Umar's Tandoori
Indian, kebab, pizza, fish and chips. takeaway
470A Main Street, FK1 4QJ
About 16 km away
Green Gates Indian
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-15:00,16:30-22:00; Su 12:00-22:00
2 Queen Street, Stirling, FK8 1HN
About 5 km away
Happy Munchy Box
Chinese. restaurant
72 High Station Road, Falkirk, FK1 5QX
About 18 km away
Erawan
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-14:00,17:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 17:00-23:00; Mo off
11-13 East Bridge Street, Falkirk, FK1 1YD
About 18 km away
Mango
Indian, italian. restaurant. Hours: 12:00-14:00,17:00-22:00
224 Glasgow Road, Longcroft, FK4 1QP
About 13 km away
Gulnar Tandoori Restaurant
Tandoori, indian. restaurant. Hours: Fr-Sa 16:00-24:00; Su-Th 16:00-23:00
60 Main Street, Larbert, FK5 3AR
About 14 km away
Rasoie
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Th,Su 16:30-22:00; Tu off; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:30
1 Tryst Way, Stenhousemuir, FK5 4QQ
About 14 km away
Maharaja
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-14:30,17:00-22:30; Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 13:00-21:30
39 King Street, Stirling, FK8 1AY
About 4 km away
Desi Twist
Pizza, burger, kebab, tacos, curry. takeaway
5 Thistle Street, Falkirk, FK2 7ED
About 17 km away
Sports and clubs
The Peak
Ice skating, swimming, climbing, badminton, five-a-side, fitness. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa 07:00-20:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
About 6 km away
Grangemouth Sports Complex
Swimming, fitness, cycling, soft play, badminton, mini tennis, basketball, darts. Sports centre
Abbots Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8JB
About 20 km away
Polmont Sports Centre
Badminton, table tennis, squash, basketball, football, mini gyms. Sports centre. Hours: 09:00-22:00
Salmon Inn Road, Polmont, FK2 0XF
About 22 km away
Falkirk School of Gymnastics
Gymnastics. Sports centre
Cow Wynd, Falkirk, FK1 1PU
About 18 km away
Dunblane Hydro
Swimming, fitness. Sports centre
Perth Road, Dunblane, FK15 0HG
About 11 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Gargunnock Community Centre
Community centre
Leckie Road, Gargunnock, FK8 3BJ
About 6 km away
Balfour Centre
Community centre
Balfour Crescent, Plean, FK7 8DS
About 9 km away
Dunblane Centre
Community centre
Stirling Road, Dunblane, FK15 9EY
About 9 km away
Denny Community Education Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo when required; Tu,We 09:00-15:00; Th 09:00-16:00; Fr 09:00-13:30
40 Duke Street, Denny, FK6 6NW
About 10 km away
Bankier Community Education Wing
Community centre. Hours: Only open for bookings
Bankier Road, Banknock, FK4 1TF
About 13 km away
Bonnybridge Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo,We 09:00-21:30; Tu,Th 09:00-22:30; Fr 09:00-22:00
Bridge Street, Bonnybridge, FK4 1AA
About 13 km away
Forth Valley Sensory Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:00; Fr 09:00-16:30; Sa,Su off
Redbrae Road, Camelon, FK1 4DD
About 16 km away
Tamfourhill Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: "By bookings only"
Machrie Court, Falkirk, FK1 4SD
About 16 km away
Camelon Education Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-16:30
Abercrombie Street, Camelon, FK1 4HA
About 16 km away
The Sub (Excellence in Childcare Centre)
Community centre
David's Loan, Falkirk, FK2 7RG
About 16 km away
Dawson Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-16:30
David's Loan, Falkirk, FK2 7RG
About 16 km away
Park Street Community Education Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Park Street, Falkirk, FK1 1RE
About 17 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Belle Hair And Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu,Su off; We-Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
15 Bank Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NB
About 17 km away
Scissor Sister
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00
86 Main Street, Callander, FK17 8BD
About 21 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Plean Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 12:00-17:00,Tu 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Th, Fr 14:00-17:00; We, Sa, Su off
Main Street, Plean, FK7 8BT
About 9 km away
Dunblane Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Tu, Th 09:00-13:00, 14:00-19:00; We 09:00-12:00; Sa 09:30-12:30
Sinclairs Street, Dunblane, FK15 0AF
About 10 km away
Denny Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu,Fr 10:00-17:00; We,Su,PH off; Th 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Davies Row, Denny, FK6 6FA
About 10 km away
Bonnybridge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu,Fr 10:00-17:00; We,Su off; Th 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Bridge Street, Bonnybridge, FK4 1AD
About 13 km away
Larbert Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-20:00; Tu,Th-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-15:00; We,Su,PH off
22 Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, FK5 3JX
About 14 km away
Falkirk Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-20:00; Tu,Th-Fr 10:00-17:00; We,Su,PH off; Sa 10:00-15:00
Hope Street, Falkirk, FK1 5AU
About 17 km away
Bridge of Allan Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Tu,Th 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; We,Sa 09:30-12:30
Keir Street, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4NP
About 7 km away
Grangemouth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 10:00-17:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; We 10:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8AG
About 19 km away
Slamannan Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu 10:00-14:00; Th 14:00-19:00; Fr 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; We,Su off
High Street, Slamannan, FK1 3EX
About 21 km away
Meadowbank Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 10:00-17:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; We 10:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
6a Stevenson Avenue, Polmont, FK2 0GU
About 21 km away
Abronhill Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-17:00; Th 14:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-14:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; Su off
17 Pine Road, Cumbernauld, G67 3BE
About 16 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from Stirlingshire
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here