🧭 £1.3M for Fife's Most Popular Beach

Good morning, Fifers! On Friday, we highlighted the upcoming railway works set to affect Fife services in January and asked if you’d be impacted. As expected, it turns out the answer is yes for many of you, with 57% saying you will be.

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Fife Tourist Tax Update

• Fife Beach Secures Huge Investment

• 41 Events to See This Week

Let’s jump in, there’s plenty to talk about!

— Duncan

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TODAY’S TOP STORY

🏖️ Huge Investment in Fife Beach Confirmed

Aberdour's Silver Sands beach is set for a major transformation after securing £750,000 from The Scottish Government's Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, managed by VisitScotland. This funding forms the cornerstone of a wider £1.3 million improvement package aimed at tackling long-standing infrastructure challenges caused by the beach's surging popularity.

During peak summer days, thousands of visitors flock to Silver Sands, placing significant pressure on local amenities such as parking. The comprehensive upgrade is designed to improve accessibility, sustainability, and the overall visitor experience while alleviating issues for both tourists and locals who use the beach. Planned improvements include:

• Enhanced parking infrastructure

• EV charging points and secure cycle racks

• Accessible beach access for all abilities

• Upgraded toilet facilities and outdoor furniture

Newlay Civil Eng Ltd has been appointed to carry out the works, which will begin this autumn outside the peak visitor season and are expected to be completed by summer 2026. [Fife Council]

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏥 Fife NHS is reconfiguring wards in an effort to enhance stroke care with two new specialist rehabilitation sites at Glenrothes and Cameron Hospitals, creating modern, community-focused spaces to support recovery and independence.

• 🏗️ The new £155m Dunfermline Learning Campus aims to tackle Scotland’s skills shortage, which saw 300 workers brought in from abroad at Rosyth Dockyard, by training the next generation of welders, engineers, and tradespeople, supporting industries like defence and advanced manufacturing.

• ⛵ A Bronze Age coracle has been recreated 50 years after its discovery in Dalgety Bay, Fife. Crafted from willow and hazel, the 2m boat mirrors ancient designs once used for sea travel and shellfish harvesting along the Firth of Forth.

• 📦 Amazon has confirmed that no jobs will be lost at its Dunfermline fulfilment centre amid wider corporate cuts, reassuring staff that all roles at the Duloch site remain secure.

• 💙 Occupational Therapy Week has started and runs till November 9th. As part of this, NHS Fife’s Children & Young People’s OT Team will be hosting Q&A sessions at Cupar, Cowdenbeath, and Levenmouth Leisure Centres.

• 🐑 Fife and Dunblane farmers have expressed anger after NSA Scotland revealed early talks with the Scottish Government on sheep traceability changes, saying the industry wasn’t consulted before discussions began.

• 🦚 Dunfermline dog owners are being urged to keep dogs on leads in Pittencrieff Park after incidents where pets have scared the city’s peacocks.

• 🎾 Plans have been submitted to bring Fife’s first padel tennis courts to Cluny Activities near Kirkcaldy, offering all-weather facilities for a fast-growing, social, and accessible sport that blends tennis and squash.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

💷 Have Your Say on Fife’s Visitor Levy

We've been covering the ongoing story of a potential tourist tax for Fife throughout the year, and now it's moving a step closer to reality. With pros and cons to such a policy, Fife Council is asking residents and businesses to share their views through an online consultation and a series of drop-in events taking place over the coming weeks.

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 allows local councils to charge a percentage rate on accommodation, with money raised required to be spent on facilities and services that benefit visitors. Crucially, since residents and visitors often use the same facilities, the levy could also benefit local communities.

It’s estimated that a 1% visitor levy could generate around £1.4m annually, a 5% visitor levy could generate around £7.3m annually, and a 7% visitor levy could generate about £10.2m annually. Potential spending areas in Fife include:

• Tourism infrastructure - toilets, parking, motorhome facilities, public transport, signage and trails

• Attractions and town centres - improving existing sites and supporting regeneration

• Events and marketing - attracting major events and destination promotion

• Community and sustainability projects - local infrastructure improvements and green tourism initiatives

The consultation is now open until December 19th and can be accessed here. Fife Council is due to make a decision on introducing the visitor levy in Spring 2026, with a statutory consultation on any draft scheme to follow.

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

Please remember to double-check details with venues before travelling, as events can occasionally be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice, and some will require prebooked tickets.

⭐ Featured Events

Langtoun Jazz Presents The Erik Palmberg Quartet - Sweden’s celebrated Erik Palmberg Quartet is coming to Kirkcaldy for one night only! With a reputation for connecting with audiences through heartfelt performance, the quartet promises a memorable experience for jazz fans and newcomers alike.
📅 Sat, 8th November | 🕕 8pm | 📍 St Bryce Kirk, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free
👉 Book Here

Aberdour Winter Art Festival & Village Shopping Event - Shops and cafes will be open late, and local artists will be selling their work at the Institute on Shore Road, Aberdour.
📅 Fri, 14th & Sat, 15th November | 🕕 6pm-9pm (Fri) & 10am-4pm (Sat) | 📍 Aberdour | 🎟️ Free

Interested in featuring your event here? ⬆️ Reply to this email and let us know!

📅 Tuesday, 4th November

Dunshalt Handmade Pottery Decorations - Prepare for the upcoming festive season and create our own handmade pottery decorations.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Dunshalt Village Hall | 🎟️ £45

Letham Handmade Pottery Decorations - Prepare for the upcoming festive season and create our own handmade pottery decorations.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Letham Village Hall | 🎟️ £45

Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📁 Art | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

📅 Wednesday, 5th November

Lino-cutting - With Instruction from Artsoc, let your artistic talents flow as you make your own lino-printing.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Sip & Paint with Peipei’s Palette - Slow down, sip something lovely, and let your creativity flow freely.
📁 Art | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Louie Browns, Dalgety Bay | 🎟️ £33

Anstruther Fireworks Community Event -  Fireworks will start at 7.30pm so make sure you get there in plenty time to secure a good spot!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Anstruther Harbour | 🎟️ Free

Jamie Ramsay: Running the Americas - Hear about Jamie Ramsay's most iconic journey: a solo, unsupported run spanning 17,000 kilometres from Vancouver to Buenos Aires.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £15

Murder in Play - When a bumbling theatre troupe’s production goes off the rails – and a body is found midshow – expect sharp wit, chaos, and plenty of twists.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15+

Fife Youth Orchestra 2025 - Varied programme of music which they have been rehearsing since the middle of September.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £4+

Kirkcaldy Music Society: Chamber Concert Series - The programme includes: Mozart, Sonata K305; Skalkottas, Sonatine No.2; Brahms, Sonata No.3 for violin and piano; and more.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Old Kirk | 🎟️ £18

📅 Thursday, 6th November

Open Book Cupar Library Creative Writing Group - Shared Reading and Creative Writing with Cupar Library
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10:15am | 📍 Cupar Library | 🎟️ Free

The Edge of the Blade - When a fencing master’s nephew confronts a colonel, Marie-Rose Astié de Valsayre steps in, insisting that honour isn’t just for men.
📁 Movie | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6.50+

Laaaunch - An interactive adventure of galactic proportions, created especially for babies up to 12 months old.
📁 Children | 🕢 10:30am & 1:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13

Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

We Are Now the Problem With Denise Mina - Join bestselling author Denise Mina, dubbed 'crime-writing royalty', as she introduces her latest psychological thriller.
📁 Talk | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Earlsferry Townhall | 🎟️ £15.75

Maggie's Fife Firewalk 2025 - Push your boundaries and take part in a Firewalk in support of Maggie's.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Balbirnie House Hotel, Markinch | 🎟️ £20

Murder in Play - When a bumbling theatre troupe’s production goes off the rails – and a body is found midshow – expect sharp wit, chaos, and plenty of twists.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15+

📅 Friday, 7th November

Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📁 Markets | 🕢 9am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

Wee Wardlaws - Help your little one explore the world around them through museum objects, stories, songs, crafts and things to do and spot.
📁 Children | 🕢 10am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Creative Craft Club For Adults - Come and enjoy a regular Friday morning of creativity.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Letham Village Hall | 🎟️ £13.50

Laaaunch - An interactive adventure of galactic proportions, created especially for babies up to 12 months old.
📁 Children | 🕢 10:30am & 1:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13

Coffee Afternoon & Sketchbook Club - Take some time for yourself to sketch, doodle, chat, or simply enjoy the calm, inspiring atmosphere of the space.
📁 Art | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

Friday Night Slides - 1/10th scale Electric RWD Drift cars only, and must be running Buzz Break or DS Racing LF4 tyres.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Parkgate Community Centre, Rosyth | 🎟️ £5+

Penthouse Autumn Showcase - Featuring live performances from Toastie, We Are Delta, The Dirty Cooks, The Young Cats and Idle Minds.
📁 Music | 🕢 6:45pm | 📍 The Monarch Bar, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £8

Kirsten Adamson - Alternative folk band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £15.40

We Cry Wolf - 5 piece rock band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8

Elvis Tribute Night - The one and only Paul Thorpe returns as Elvis for an electrifying tribute night.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 The Physician, St Andrews | 🎟️ £55

La Bohème by Puccini - Opera sung in English with full orchestra under the musical direction of Derek Clark.
📁 Opera | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £21

Open Mic Night - Bring your talents, your friends, and your sense of adventure to a night full of creativity.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

Murder in Play - When a bumbling theatre troupe’s production goes off the rails – and a body is found midshow – expect sharp wit, chaos, and plenty of twists.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15+

Pieter Wispelwey & Alasdair Beatson - Programme includes César Franck’s sonata in A, a set of variations by Schubert, and a brooding sonata from the Soviet Union.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Laidlaw Music Centre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £16+

Hairbrush Party Anthems! - Girls and guys get ready to PARTY with one of the most fun shows to hit theatres this year.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27

Adam Ross & Gillian Fleetwood - Evening of acoustic melodies and soulful vocals.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Castlehill Community Centre | 🎟️ £18

Scotland Made the World - A hilarious night of comedy, storytelling, and Scottish pride.
📁 Comedy | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £15

Krissy Matthews Band - Powerhouse blues, rock and fusion trio.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £24.20

Stuart Bell - Night of fantastic music.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

🎉 Multi-Day Events & Exhibitions

Steaming Ahead: How the Railways Changed the Fish We Eat - Take the opportunity to look at the impacts of steam railways on the fishing industry.
📅 Fri, 19th September - Mon, 10th November | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Museum Entry

Collecting the Contemporary: Scottish Art at Kirkcaldy Galleries - This display features works by modern and contemporary painters who were inspired by Scotland.
📅 Fri, 31st January - Wed, 31st December | 🕢 10am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 - Collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces.
📅 Tue, 4th March - Thu, 15th January 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity - Special preview evening filled with live music, drinks, and creative activities.
📅 Sat, 18th October - Sun, 15th February 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum | 🎟️ Free

Bunker Shots: Stories of Golf and Conflict - Surprising connections between golf and conflict, including the impact on golfers and their equipment.
📅 Fri, 18th April - Tue, 31st March 2026 | 🕢 9:15am | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £17.50

Fife Insider+ members got these events two weeks early. Upgrade today to get 25% off for your first 3 months and get an extended event outlook every Sunday.

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THANKS FOR READING

Thanks for reading Fife Insider today. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend in Fife.

Cheers,

Duncan

Got an event or news you want to feature? Or perhaps you’d like to promote your business to readers in Fife? Get in touch with us at [email protected] - let’s make it happen!