Settling in · West Lothian
Landing in West Lothian? Start here.
The first fortnight in West Lothian, 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
96 places in West Lothian 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
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
Appleton Parkway, Livingston, EH54 6GR
The Salvation Army - Bo'ness
Christian, Salvation army
Corbiehall Bo'ness, EH51 0AP
About 13 km away
St Thomas' Church
Christian, Anglican
75-79 Glasgow Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8LJ
About 16 km away
Bathgate High Parish Church
Christian, Church of scotland
Gideon Street, Bathgate, EH48 4HD
About 6 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
1 Woodside Court, Falkirk, FK1 5AN
About 18 km away
Salvation Army Church
Christian, Salvation army
431 Gorgie Road, City of Edinburgh, EH11 2RT
About 19 km away
St Cuthberts Church
Christian
Slateford Road, City of Edinburgh, EH14 1PP
About 20 km away
Polwarth Church
Christian, Church of scotland
36-38 Polwarth Terrace, City of Edinburgh, EH11 1NH
About 21 km away
The Salvation Army Church and Community Centre
Christian, Salvation army
Main Road, Kildrum, Dunfermline, KY12 0RS
About 21 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Blackhall Mosque
Muslim
1 House O' Hill Road, City of Edinburgh, EH4 2AJ
About 19 km away
Polwarth Mosque
Muslim
8-10 Temple Park Crescent, City of Edinburgh, EH11 1HT
About 21 km away
Buddhist temples and centres
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Edinburgh
About 22 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 18 km away
Good Food Asian Supermarket
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:30
306 Gorgie Road, EH11 2PP
About 20 km away
Little European Shop
Convenience. Hours: 09:00-21:00
130 Grahams Road, Falkirk, FK2 7BZ
About 19 km away
Spice of Asia
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
398 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2BF
About 20 km away
Polish Shop Domino
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-12:00; Sa 09:30-12:00; Su 11:00-12:00
31 Allan Crescent, Dunfermline, KY11 4HE
About 20 km away
Food and takeaways
Graziano's
Fish and chips, kebab, pasta, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:30
2 Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, EH30 9RA
About 14 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
Happy Munchy Box
Chinese. restaurant
72 High Station Road, Falkirk, FK1 5QX
About 18 km away
Fun Pot Chinese
Chinese. restaurant
6 New Market Road, City of Edinburgh, EH14 1RJ
About 19 km away
Umar's Tandoori
Indian, kebab, pizza, fish and chips. takeaway
470A Main Street, FK1 4QJ
About 20 km away
Taste Good
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:30-00:00
65-71 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH11 1PR
About 20 km away
Awaafi
Arab, indian. restaurant
108a Gorgie Road, City of Edinburgh, EH11 2NP
About 20 km away
Kebabish
Indian. restaurant
128 Dalry Road, City of Edinburgh, EH11 2EZ
About 21 km away
ronaq
Indian. restaurant
10-12 Craigleith Road, City of Edinburgh, EH4 2DP
About 21 km away
Happy House
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:30-22:30; Fr-Su 16:30-23:00
2 Manse Road, Whitburn, EH47 0DH
About 9 km away
Jade Palace
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 15:00-22:00
6d Manse Road, Whitburn, EH47 0DH
About 9 km away
Rustom
Indian. restaurant
2 Grosvenor Street, City of Edinburgh, EH12 5EG
About 21 km away
Sports and clubs
Ainslie Park Leisure Centre
Swimming, fitness, basketball, pickleball. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa 06:00-16:00; Su 08:00-18:00
92 Pilton Drive, EH5 2HF
About 21 km away
Dowden's Martial Arts
Martial arts. Sports centre
18 Burnhouse Industrial Estate, Whitburn, EH47 0LL
About 10 km away
Sport & Wellbeing Hub
Swimming, fitness, badminton. Sports centre
Linlithgow Road, Winchburgh, EH52 6PX
About 8 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 14 km away
Boroughmuir Rugby and Community Sports Club
Sports centre
2 Meggetland Wynd, City of Edinburgh, EH14 1AF
About 20 km away
Grangemouth Sports Complex
Swimming, fitness, cycling, soft play, badminton, mini tennis, basketball, darts. Sports centre
Abbots Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8JB
About 16 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
The Fresh Fish Place
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
About 20 km away
Days out and things to do
Xtreme Karting Edinburgh
Sports centre
2 Huly Hill Road, City of Edinburgh, EH28 8PH
About 10 km away
Edinburgh International Climbing Arena
Sports centre. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:00-21:00; Tu,Th 09:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-18:00
Union Canal Towpath, City of Edinburgh, EH28 8AA
About 10 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Maddiston Community Education Centre
Community centre. Hours: The building opening times are varied, please contact the Centre for more information.
Parkhall Drive, Maddiston, FK2 0LQ
About 12 km away
Bo'ness Community Learning & Development Base
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-15:00; Fr 10:00-13:00
Gauze Road, Bo'ness, EH51 9AS
About 13 km away
Forestbank Community Centre
Community centre
Forestbank Livingston, EH54 6DX
About 2 km away
Grange Community Education Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 08:30-12:30,13:00-17:00,18:00-22:00; Tu 08:30-13:30,18:00-22:00; We 08:30-12:30,13:00-16:00,18:00-22:00; Th 08:30-12:30,14:30-16:30,18:00-22:00; Fr 08:30-12:30,15:00-18:00
Redding Road, Brightons, FK2 0AA
About 14 km away
Kersiebank Community Project
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-15:30,18:00-21:00; Fr 09:00-12:00,18:00-21:00
Oxgang Road, Grangemouth, FK3 9EF
About 16 km away
Westquarter Community Project
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-13:00
Westquarter Avenue, Westquarter, FK2 9RN
About 16 km away
youthagency
Community centre
44 Dumbryden Drive, Dumbryden Grove, City of Edinburgh, EH14 2QR
About 17 km away
Corstorphine Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-15:00
5 Kirk Loan, Edinburgh, EH12 7HD
About 17 km away
Westfield Park Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-15:30; We,Th 09:30-15:30,18:00-20:00
Westfield Street, Falkirk, FK2 9DX
About 17 km away
EATS Rosyth
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
115 Queensferry Road, Rosyth, KY11 2PS
About 17 km away
Park Street Community Education Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Park Street, Falkirk, FK1 1RE
About 18 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Istanbul 3 Turkish Barber
Hairdresser
4a Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, EH30 9RA
About 14 km away
E&A Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:30-18:30; Th 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
11 Carnegie Drive, Dunfermline, KY12 7AN
About 20 km away
Pasa Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:30
98 Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
About 22 km away
Barbers and salons
Ashley Clarke Signature Salon
Hairdresser
16 West Terrace, South Queensferry, EH30 9LL
About 14 km away
Salon 13
Hairdresser. Hours: We 10:00-16:00; Th 12:00-20:00; Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00; Su 12:00-16:00
249A St John's Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7XD
About 17 km away
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 18 km away
Campbell Young
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
4 Strachan Road, City of Edinburgh, EH4 3RE
About 19 km away
Sheds
Hairdresser
26-28 Guildhall Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NS
About 20 km away
Vibe Hair Styling
Hairdresser
18 Guildhall Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NS
About 20 km away
Cinemas and libraries
The Lex Davidson Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 08:30-17:00, Th 08:30-19:00, Fr 08:30-16:00, Sa 10:00-13:00, We, Su Closed
West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 6JQ
About 5 km away
Carmondean Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Carmondean Centre Road, Deans, EH54 8PT
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 13 km away
Bo'ness Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 10:00-20:00; Tu,Fr 10:00-17:00; We 10:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Scotland's Close, Bo'ness, EH51 0AH
About 14 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 14 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 17 km away
Corstorphine Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
12 Kirk Loan, Edinburgh, EH12 7HD
About 17 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 18 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 19 km away
Linlithgow Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Vennel, Linlithgow, EH49 7AX
About 9 km away
Edinburgh Napier Merchiston Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5DT
About 21 km away
Morningside Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-20:00;Th-Sa 10:00-17:00
184 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4PU
About 21 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 West Lothian
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