🧭 And The Winner Is...

Good morning, Fifers! In Tuesday’s issue, we asked you to vote for the best beach in Fife. Today, we’re breaking down the results.

Here’s what else is coming your way today:

• Orcas Spotted in the Fourth

• Plans to Shut Council Offices

• 57 Events to See This Weekend

• Fife’s Best Beach as Voted by the Fife Insider Community

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🏢 Fife Council Considers Closing Offices on Mondays and Fridays

We all remember how Covid changed the way we work. For many, working from home has been a blessing with saving money on travel and clawing back precious hours once lost to the daily commute. Since then, most people have settled into a hybrid routine: a couple of days at home, a couple in the office.

With this shift, it’s become clear that office space is often sitting empty. While some businesses see this as a reason to push people back into the office, others, like Fife Council, are eyeing the cost-saving potential.

With a whopping 1,700 non-residential properties in its portfolio, the council is under growing pressure to cut costs and make better use of space. Some buildings could be rented out, others sold off entirely to free up funds for other services. The opportunity is clear, with some council offices reportedly just 15% full on Mondays and Fridays.

At a recent meeting of the Finance, Economy & Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee, councillors discussed new options for utilising office space more efficiently:

• Shutting most offices on Mondays and Fridays, with staff working from home on those days.

• Reducing office hours from 7am–8pm to a shorter 8am–6pm schedule.

These changes could lead to serious savings on energy and maintenance, adding to efforts already made to rationalise their property portfolio. In 2023/24 alone, Fife Council pulled in over £5.3 million from rental properties, and with 29 council-owned properties currently sitting empty, there’s plenty of room to grow that number. [Fife Council]

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🧱 Sir Keir Starmer pledged more well-paid jobs in Rosyth as part of increased UK defence spending to counter Russian aggression. The announcement follows the rollout of the new HMS Venturer frigate from Rosyth dockyard.

• 💰 St Andrews Links Trust has begun a £10.5m project to install 1,500 new sprinklers on the Old Course, doubling coverage. Work starts November 2025, improving sustainable irrigation ahead of the 2027 Open.

• 🏨 SAAS Festival Inns has submitted new plans for North Queensferry’s historic Albert Hotel, proposing roof repairs and restoration works to safeguard the building’s structure and preserve it for future use.

• 📚 Over 40 young children in Cowdenbeath will now receive free books every month until age five through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

• 🎨 Dunfermline pupil Skye Sharp has reached the national final of the Rotary Young Artist competition, after winning local and district heats with artwork highlighting water conservation and pollution awareness.

• 🚗 A Starbucks drive-thru and an additional restaurant have been approved for Dalgety Bay’s Hillend Industrial Park, creating 40–50 jobs despite some concerns over traffic and pedestrian safety.

• 📱 Fife Council has launched a £50m programme to provide every P6–S6 pupil with an iPad by March 2026. The initiative, part of the Transforming Learning strategy, aims to boost engagement, creativity, and digital learning across schools.

• 🚧 Stone Acre proposes transforming Watts of Cupar into a two-storey bar and restaurant, adding retail units, Starbucks drive-thru, and parking. Plans aim to boost Cupar’s economy and create jobs. Construction may start in 2026.

• 🚆 Scottish Enterprise is marketing the former Longannet Power Station site in Kincardine. A £40m train factory once promised 1,000 jobs, but plans fell through after Talgo lost an HS2 contract.

• 🏔️ Kelty primary pupil Liliana Witomska, 11, completed the UK Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon. Despite weather and navigation setbacks, she raised over £1,000 for CHAS charity.

• 🚢 A major milestone in dismantling the nuclear submarine Swiftsure at Rosyth has been reached with the removal of its fin. The project aims to recycle 90% of the sub, pioneering a new UK disposal method, completing by 2026.

AROUND FIFE

Each week, we highlight positive news stories, hidden gems, and local experiences to explore.

🐋 Orcas in the Fourth

If you happened to be looking out over the Forth at the start of the week, you might’ve been treated to a truly exciting surprise. While it’s not too unusual to spot a humpback whale or two, this time, lucky whale watchers caught sight of something even rarer: a pod of orcas! The Scottish Seabird Centre shared some incredible photos and videos captured by their Senior Conservation Officer, Emily Burton, and they’re well worth a watch.

Sadly, we missed out on seeing them ourselves, but orcas are definitely at the very top of our list of animals we’d love to spot in the wild. Let us know below if you were lucky enough to catch a glimpse.

Want to have a go at whale watching yourself? Fife local Ronnie Mackie will be running a shorewatch as part of the Big Watch Weekend. He’ll be at Doo Dells, Kinghorn (just along from Harbour View) from 10am till 4pm this Sunday, with plenty of binoculars and telescopes to hand, and loads of local knowledge to share.

🏖️ And The Winner Is…

On Tuesday, we looked at the 13 beaches in Fife that scooped awards at the Scottish Beach Awards. The list stretched right across the Kingdom, from East and West Sands up in St Andrews, all the way down to Aberdour’s Silver and Black Sands.

With so many top spots to choose from, we thought it’d be fun to let our community vote on which of the 13 was the best beach in Fife. And now, the results are in! Here are the top 3 picks from our poll, along with the percentage of votes each received. It was a pretty tight race all round, apart from the clear winner!

1. Leven East - 27.5%

2. Anstruther Billowness - 12.5%

3. Elie Harbour - 10%

I’ve got to admit, it’s been a while since I visited the winning beach, might be time for a wee trip back soon!

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by supertyp_23

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

✨ Featured Event

Want to add an event? Use the button below. Want a Featured Event like above? Drop us a line at [email protected].

🎶 Live Music & Concerts

📍 The Ghost Train - Plus Cheap Escape and The Last Playground.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8

📍 Michael Mathers Eminem Tribute Act - Eminem tribute.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Styx, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £20

📍 Open Mic Night - Bring your talents, your friends, and your sense of adventure to a night full of creativity.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 From No Parlez to The Secret Of Association - An Intimate Evening With Paul Young
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £30

📍 Matt Scott - Classic soul and rock.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Sensational Alex Harvey Experience - UK's number 1 tribute band to SAHB.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £26.40

📍 Jazzmopolitan - An evening of accessible jazz, funk and blues.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Larick Centre, Tayport | 🎟️ Sold Out

📍 Summer Concert 2025 - Markinch District Community Choir present their 2025 Summer Concert.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Markinch Church Hall, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £12

📍 Nick Shane - Dynamic songwriter, covering genres from Indie/Mod/Alt to Hard Rock/Grunge.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Monarch Bar, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £11.55

📍 Greatest Hits of 10cc and ELO - The only tribute band that plays music from both 10cc and the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £24

📍 Delta Snipers - Three-piece up-beat Rhythm & Blues Combo consisting of Guitar, Bass, and Drums.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Fleeting Rumours - One of the world's best Fleetwood Mac tribute bands.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £30.8

📍 Rock Therapy - Rock covers.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 9:00pm | 📍 The Wheatsheaf Inn, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Diljeet Kaur Bhachu & James Flowerdew - Special lunchtime concert featuring flutes, voice, poetry, and electronics.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ £11

📍 Intertwined Concert - A soulful fusion of Ukrainian and Scottish melodies with traditional Ukrainian cuisine.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13.70

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Il Barbiere di Siviglia - Bartlett Sher’s witty production of Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia comes to the big screen.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £20

📍 Showtime 25 - Dancers from Cheryl Crawford Dance Studio Upper School showcase their skills.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 13:00pm & 7:00pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £18

📍 Bearfoot Comedy - Night of stand up comedy.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £16.96

📍 Wings Of Wonder: DN Dance - Showcasing the energy and talents of our littlest dancers.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 10:30am & 12:45pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £19.10

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Lang Toun Fest 2025 - Culture, art, history, music, food, family-friendly activities, and community projects throughout June.
📅 Fri, 30th May - Sat, 5th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Composted: A Festival of Biodegradable Ideas - Connecting gardeners, scientists, environmentalists, and everyone in the community in celebration of the life in our compost.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sat, 26th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Cambo Country House and Estate | 🎟️ Varies

📍 St Andrews Heritage Tour - Discover hidden gems, stories, and secrets by exploring St Andrews Castle, Cathedral, and more.
📅 Fri, 6th - Sat, 7th June | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 St Andrews War Memorial | 🎟️ £10

📍 Friday Night Stock Car Action - Featuring U-Pull-It 1300 Stock Cars, CC Rods, and Ministox.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Lochgelly Raceway | 🎟️ £15

📍 June Truck Meet - All are welcome either to drive, spectate or chat.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Parkgate Community Centre, Rosyth | 🎟️ £5

📍 Sea + Savour East Neuk Walking and Food Tour - Guided 8.5 mile walk taking in 5 of East Neuk's villages with picnic provided.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £45

📍 Wicked: Sing-a-long - A special sing-a-long screening of the 2024 hit movie Wicked!
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

📍 Saloon Stock Car European Championship - 2025 McGill Motorsport European Championship, followed by the 228 Raymond Gunn Tribute.
📅 Sat, 7th - Sun, 8th June | 🕢 5:00pm (Sat) & 1:00pm (Sun) | 📍 Cowdenbeath Racewall | 🎟️ £20

📍 In Conversation with Brian Cox - The Rt Hon Gordon Brown will open the evening with a warm welcome and special introduction.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £19.50

📍 Tour of the Kingdom Cycle Sportive - Dunfermline Cycling Club is delighted to welcome back the annual cycle sportive.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 7:00am | 📍 Glen Cycle Hub, Pittencreiff Park, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £30

📍 Guardians of Scotland - Hear the story of one of Scotland's great unsung hereos William de Lamberton, bishop of St Andrews.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 St Andrews Castle | 🎟️ £10

📍 Michelangelo: Love and Death - Cinematic journey through the print and drawing rooms of Europe.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £20

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Burntisland Fairground - Rides, stalls, and attractions lining the town’s seafront.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sun, 24th August | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 The Links, Burntisland | 🎟️ Varies

📍 End of Season BBQ - Family friendly BBQ in support of Glenrothes Rugby Club.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Glenrothes Rugby Club | 🎟️ £10

📍 Kidz Rock Festival - Family festival celebrating young talent, showcasing the best up-and-coming rock artists from across the region.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 Windsor Hotel, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 Kennoway Carnival and Civic Week - Kennoway Carnival and Civic Week is turning 40! Join us for Live Music, Food Village and All Day Entertainment!
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 Cotlands Park, Kennoway | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Mon, 9th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Grass to Grill Tour - A showcase of our organic farming landscape and produce from Balcaskie.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £65

📍 Cheese & Whisky Tasting - 4 drams of whisky, each expertly paired with a complementary artisan cheese selected by Mellis Cheesemonger.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 5:00pm | 📍 Lindores Abbey Distillery | 🎟️ £16.96

📍 Margarita Brunch - Unforgettable afternoon of delicious food, refreshing cocktails, and great vibes!
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 The Old Vic, St Andrews | 🎟️ £32.13

🛒 Markets

📍 Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 9:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

📍 Artisan Market - Market showcasing the talents of local artisans, offering a wide variety of crafts, art, and specialty goods.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 St Andrews Town Hall | 🎟️ Free

📍 St Andrews Market - Independent producers and creatives, fresh produce and food, handmade crafts, and more.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 South Street, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Craft Fayre - Sweet treats available and some lovely Father’s Day gifts too.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 St Bryce Kirk, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Culross Community Market - Enjoy a fantastic day of local shopping, delicious food, and live music.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 Culross Green | 🎟️ Free

📍 Indoor Car Boot Sale - Declutter, show of your crafts, get rid of stuff you no longer need, and make some pennies in the process.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 12:30pm | 📍 Philip Hall, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

🎨 Exhibitions

📍 Unearthed - Step back in time to discover how Scotland was formed and explore prehistoric creatures.
📅 Sat, 8th February - Sat, 27th September | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum | 🎟️ Free

📍 Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 - Collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces.
📅 Tue, 4th March - Tue, 28th October | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

📍 Hag: Knowledge, Power & Alchemy through Craft - Exhibition celebrating the creativity, strength, and mastery of 13 Scottish women craft artists.
📅 Sat, 8th March - Sun, 8th June | 🕢 10:00am (Mon-Sat) & 12:00pm (Sun) | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ Free

📍 Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre – Explore Cupar’s rich history with locally focused exhibitions.
📅 Wed, 16th April – Fri, 31st October | 🕒 2pm (Wed, Fri & Sun) | 📍 Cupar Railway Station, Cupar | 🎟️ 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 Flyers British Championship 40th Anniversary Exhibition - Relive the dramatic victory of the 1985 British Champions.
📅 Wed, 30th April - Sun, 8th June | 🕢 10am (Mon-Sat) & 12pm (Sun) | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Wonder Store - Exhibition showcasing artworks by various renowned artists.
📅 Fri, 2nd May - Sat, 27th Jun | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

📍 Treasures from the Forth - Showcasing unique mosaics made with wonderful sea glass and ancient sea pottery washed ashore.
📅 Thu, 5th - Sun, 29th Jun | 🕢 10:00am (Thu-Mon) | 📍 The Ecology Centre, Kinghorn | 🎟️ Free

🧶 Arts & Crafts

📍 Botanical Ink Making & Screen Printing - Make your own inks from natural extracts, waste materials, and foraged plants.
📅 Thu, 5th - Sat, 7th June | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Forgan's Art Centre, Ceres | 🎟️ £206

📍 Botanical Art Workshop - Join Mira Caie Artist at Teasses Estate in June for a botanically inspired mixed media workshop.
📅 Fri, 6th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Teasses Estate | 🎟️ £45

📍 Paint With Felt: Blooming Meadow Workshop - relaxing and stress busting needle felting session.
📅 Sat, 7th June | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 Deborah Cameron Creative Artist Studio, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £55

📍 Write ON - Friendly and no pressure creative writing group for amateur and unpublished writers.
📅 Sun, 8th June | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

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SPORTS

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THANKS FOR READING

Thanks for reading Fife Insider today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who can’t skim a stone.

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!