Settling in · Giffnock
Landing in Giffnock? Start here.
The first fortnight in Giffnock, 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
91 places in Giffnock 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
Grace Baptist Church Govan
Christian, Baptist
425 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 2PW
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
1 Houldsworth Street, Glasgow, G3 8ED
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army - Govan
Christian, Salvation army
44 Golspie Street, Glasgow, G51 3EW
About 7 km away
St George's Tron Parish Church
Christian
Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow, G2 1BT
About 7 km away
Glasgow Cathedral
Christian, Church of scotland
Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0QZ
About 7 km away
St Silas Church
Christian, Anglican
69 Park Road, Glasgow, G4 9JE
About 7 km away
Saint Mungo's
Christian, Roman catholic
58 Parson Street, Glasgow, G4 0RX
About 7 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
136 Tollcross Road, Glasgow, G31 4XA
About 8 km away
Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
Observatory Road, Glasgow, G12 9AG
About 8 km away
The Mackintosh Church, Queen's Cross
Christian. Hours: Feb-Mar: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-16:00, Apr-Oct: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00, Nov-Dec: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-16:00
870 Garscube Road, Glasgow, G20 7EL
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
AFECC Glasgow
Muslim, Sunni
32-38 Dixon Avenue, Glasgow, G42 8EJ
About 4 km away
Synagogues
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Glasgow
About 9 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
Celtic FC Superstore
Fan. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
95 Kerrydale Street, G40 3RE
About 7 km away
Tu Quynh Oriental Supermarket
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
25 King Street, Glasgow, G1 5QZ
About 6 km away
Lim's Oriental Groceries
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-19:00; Su 12:00-19:00
63 Cambridge Street
About 7 km away
Food and takeaways
Bar Soba
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-24:00
11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU
About 6 km away
Obsession of India
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-We 16:00-23:00; Th-Sa 12:00-23:00
25 High Street, Glasgow, G1 1LX
About 6 km away
BiBimBap
Korean. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-23:00
3 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2PR
About 7 km away
Turkiye Efes
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: 12:00-22:30
97,99 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NP
About 7 km away
KoolBa
Indian, persian, middle eastern. restaurant. Hours: 12:00-22:00
109 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NP
About 7 km away
Mother India's Cafe
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:30-21:00
1355 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AD
About 7 km away
Chillies
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Th-Su 16:00-22:00, Fr,Sa 16:00-22:30
176-182 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LL
About 7 km away
Bibi's Cantina
Mexican. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-24:00
599-601 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, G11 6HY
About 7 km away
Shish Mahal
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-14:00,17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 15:00-21:00
60-68 Park Road, Glasgow, G4 9JF
About 8 km away
Ashöka
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-24:00; Su 17:00-24:00
19 Ashton Lane, Glasgow, G12 8SJ
About 8 km away
Taco Mazama
Mexican. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-01:00; Sa 12:00-01:00; Su 12:00-22:00
263 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8TL
About 8 km away
Ka Pao
Asian. restaurant
26 Vinicombe Street, Glasgow, G12 8BE
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Nineties Boxing
Boxing. Fitness centre
63 Ruthven Lane, Glasgow, G12 9BG
About 8 km away
Firhill Stadium
Soccer. Stadium
80 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7AL
About 9 km away
Ralston Community Sports Centre
Soccer. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-21:00 Fr Closed Sa-Su 09:00-17.00
Penilee Road, Paisley, PA1 3AX
About 7 km away
The Wee Retreat
Yoga. Fitness centre
2 Myrtle Park, Glasgow, G42 8UQ
About 4 km away
The Newsroom - The Climbing Academy
Climbing. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa-Su 08:00-20:00
124 Portman Street, Glasgow, G41 1EJ
About 5 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Glasgow Angling Centre
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-17:30; Th 09:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 09:00-17:00
29 Saracen Street, Glasgow, G22 5HT
About 8 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Govanhill Youth Club
Community centre
494 Cathcart Road, Glasgow, G42 7BX
About 4 km away
Legion Of Mary Wayside Club
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr,Su 18:45-21:00; Sa 13:00-15:00,18:45-21:00
32 Midland Street, Glasgow
About 6 km away
Community Central Hall
Community centre
292 -316, Maryhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7YE
About 8 km away
Maryhill Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-21:00, Sa-Su off
35 Avenuepark Street, Glasgow, G20 8TS
About 9 km away
Pluto Q
Community centre. Hours: We-Su 13:00-21:00
42-44 Albert Road, Glasgow, G42 8DN
About 4 km away
Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre
Community centre
Daisy Street, Glasgow, G42 8JL
About 4 km away
Leithland Neighbourhood Centre
Community centre
25 Kempsthorn Road, Glasgow, G53 5SR
About 5 km away
St Francis Community Centre
Community centre
405 Cumberland Street, Glasgow, G5 0SE
About 5 km away
LGBT Health & Wellbeing Community Space
Community centre
16 North Claremont Street, Glasgow, G3 7LE
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
ATMOS hair studio
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu, Fr 10:00-18:00; We-Th 10:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
39 Skirving Street, G41 3AB
About 3 km away
Zana Barber Glasgow
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 10:00-17:00
1033 Cathcart Road, Glasgow, G42 9XJ
About 3 km away
Edition Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Su-We 09:00-18:00, Th 09:00-19:00, Fr 09:00-18:30, Sa 09:00-17:00
999 Cathcart Road, Glasgow, G42 9XJ
About 3 km away
MOLSO Hair Salon
Hairdresser
627 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G41 2QG
About 4 km away
Scottish Barbering School
Hairdresser
31 Oswald Street, Glasgow, G1 4PE
About 6 km away
Mr. Blonde
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 11:00-18:00; Tu,We 10:00-19:00; Th 08:00-20:00; Fr 08:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00
20 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1SS
About 7 km away
Dapperwolf
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-20:00; Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
280 High Street, Glasgow, G4 0QT
About 7 km away
Hely
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-18:00; We-Th 09:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 12:00-18:00
25 Clarence Drive, Glasgow, G12 9QN
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Pollokshaws Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
60 Shawbridge Street, Glasgow, G43 1RW
About 2 km away
Glasgow Zine Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Fr-Sa 12:00-18:00
32-34 Albert Road, Glasgow, G42 8DN
About 4 km away
Glasgow Women's Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo, Su off; Tu, We, Fr 10:00-16:30; Th 10:00-19:00; Sa 12:00-16:00
23 Landressy Street, Glasgow, G40 1BP
About 6 km away
Mitchell Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Su off; Tu,Th 09:00-20:00; Mo,We,Fr,Sa 09:00-17:00
North Street, Glasgow
About 7 km away
National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Su-Mo off; Tu 10:00-17:00; We 13:30-20:00; Th-Sa 10:00-17:00
1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AW
About 7 km away
University of Glasgow Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Su 07:15-02:00
Hillhead Street, Glasgow, G12 8QE
About 7 km away
The Grosvenor Cinema
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-22:00
24 Ashton Lane, Glasgow, G12 8SJ
About 8 km away
Parkhead Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off
1251 Duke Street, Glasgow, G31 5NZ
About 8 km away
Glasgow University Library Research Annexe
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo off; Tu 10:00-16:00; We off; Th-Fr 10:00-16:00
29 Saracen Street, Glasgow, G22 5HY
About 9 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 Giffnock
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