Settling in · Penicuik
Landing in Penicuik? Start here.
The first fortnight in Penicuik, 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
36 places in Penicuik 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
Rosslyn Chapel
Christian, Scottish episcopal. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Chapel Loan, Roslin, EH25 9PU
About 5 km away
Fairmilehead Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
Frogston Road West, City of Edinburgh, EH10 7AJ
About 8 km away
Liberton Kirk
Christian, Church of scotland
28-30 Kirkgate, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6RY
About 10 km away
Rosewell Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
Carnethie Street, Rosewell, EH24 9DW
About 6 km away
St Matthew's Roman Catholic Church
Christian, Roman catholic
36 Carnethie Street, Rosewell, EH24 9AT
About 6 km away
Burdiehouse Southhouse Community Church
Christian, Presbyterian
Southhouse Broadway, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8AS
About 8 km away
Bonnyrigg Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
High Street, Bonnyrigg, EH19 2AB
About 9 km away
St Catherine of Alexandria
Christian, Catholic
Captain's Row, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6QP
About 9 km away
Gracemount Church
Christian, Presbyterian
45 Gracemount House Drive, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6FD
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
Shops from home
Worx24
Computer
30-32 Bridge Road, City of Edinburgh, EH13 0LQ
About 9 km away
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 9 km away
Midlothian Snowsports Centre
Skiing. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-21:00; Sa,Su 09:30-19:00
Swanston Road, City of Edinburgh, EH10 7DT
About 6 km away
Colinton Castle Sports Club
Sports centre
Katesmill Road, City of Edinburgh, EH14 1JF
About 9 km away
Driving schools
RSD Edinburgh Driving School
Driving school
Liberton Place, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6JR
About 10 km away
Community and support groups
Colinton Mains Community Centre
Community centre
1 Firrhill Loan, City of Edinburgh, EH13 9EJ
About 9 km away
Paradykes Family Learning Centre
Community centre
Mayburn Avenue, Loanhead, EH20 9HB
About 7 km away
Juniper Green Village Hall
Community centre
Juniper Park Road, City of Edinburgh, EH14 5DX
About 9 km away
Gracemount Youth and Community Centre
Community centre
Gracemount House Drive, City of Edinburgh, EH16 6FH
About 9 km away
Balerno Community Centre
Community centre
7-11 Main Street, City of Edinburgh, EH14 7EQ
About 9 km away
Balerno Parish Church Hall
Community centre
Main Street, City of Edinburgh, EH14 7DZ
About 9 km away
Gilmerton Community Centre
Community centre
Newtoft Street, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8RF
About 10 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Chackras
Hairdresser
14 Gilmerton Dykes Street, City of Edinburgh, EH17 8JX
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Balerno Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00 - 20:00; Tu 10:00 - 17:00; We 13:00 - 20:00; Fr 10:00 - 17:00; Sa 10:00 - 14:00
1 Main Street, Balerno, EH14 7EQ
About 9 km away
Currie Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu, Th-Sa 10:00-17:00; Mo, We 13:00-20:00
210 Lanark Road West, City of Edinburgh, EH14 5NX
About 9 km away
Oxgangs Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-20:00; Th-Sa 10:00-17:00
Oxgangs Road North, City of Edinburgh, EH13 9NE
About 8 km away
Colinton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
14 Thorburn Road, City of Edinburgh, EH13 0BQ
About 8 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 Penicuik
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