Settling in · Midlothian
Landing in Midlothian? Start here.
The first fortnight in Midlothian, 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
37 places in Midlothian 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
Hyvots Bank church of Christ
Christian
48A Gilmerton Dykes Drive, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8LB
About 6 km away
Liberton Northfield Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
Mount Vernon Road, City of Edinburgh, EH16 5UR
About 8 km away
The Parish of St Gregory the Great
Christian, Catholic
Bellenden Gardens, City of Edinburgh, EH16 5TA
About 9 km away
The Redeemed Christian Church of God
Christian, Pentecostal
32 Niddrie Mains Road, City of Edinburgh, EH16 4BG
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Edinburgh
About 15 km away
RCCG-Edinburgh Tabernacle Hall 41-42 Inverleith Gardens Ferry Road Edinburgh, Scotland EH3 5PR
Worship services: Wed 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am
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
Sports and clubs
Gracemount Leisure Centre
Swimming, badminton, fitness. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa,Su 09:00-17:00
Captain's Road, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8HW
About 7 km away
Inch Park Community Sports Centre
Rugby, football, cricket. Sports centre
Gilmerton Road, City of Edinburgh, EH16 5QX
About 9 km away
Newtongrange Leisure Centre
Multi. Sports centre
Dean Park Place, Newtongrange, EH22 4LL
About 3 km away
Jack Kane Sports Centre
Multi. Sports centre
208 Niddrie Mains Road, City of Edinburgh, EH16 4ND
About 9 km away
Driving schools
RSD Edinburgh Driving School
Driving school
Liberton Place, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6JR
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
The Venchie Centre
Community centre
61 Niddrie Mains Terrace, City of Edinburgh, EH16 4NX
About 10 km away
Prestonfield Neighbourhood Centre
Community centre
63 Prestonfield Avenue, Edinburgh
About 10 km away
Valley Park Community Centre
Community centre
Southhouse Road, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8EZ
About 6 km away
Danderhall Community Hub
Community centre
Edmonstone Road, Danderhall, EH22 1QW
About 7 km away
Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre
Community centre
5 Moredunvale Place, City of Edinburgh, EH17 7LA
About 8 km away
Whitecraig Community Hub
Community centre
72 Whitecraig Avenue, Whitecraig, EH21 8PB
About 9 km away
Castleview Centre
Community centre
76 Craigmillar Castle Avenue, City of Edinburgh, EH16 4DN
About 9 km away
Gilmerton Society Hall
Community centre
Ferniehill Drive, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8QQ
About 7 km away
Gilmerton Community Centre
Community centre
Newtoft Street, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8RF
About 7 km away
Scots Corner Community Centre
Community centre
Blackhall Terrace, Penicuik, EH26 0EW
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Chad's
Hairdresser
3 Oxgangs Broadway, City of Edinburgh, EH13 9LQ
About 10 km away
Denis Equi
Hairdresser
135 Liberton Brae, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6LE
About 8 km away
Elan Hairdressing
Hairdresser
6-7 Liberton Brae, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6AA
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
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 Midlothian
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