🧭 Big Ideas, Local Heroes & Pints Putting Fife on the Map

Good morning, Fifers! And a big welcome to the 779 new subscribers who joined the Fife Insider over the past month. It’s great to see so many people across Fife tuning in to what’s happening in our corner of the world.

Here’s what else is coming your way today:

• 🌍 East Neuk Students Compete for MIT Innovation Prize

• 🔧 UK’s First Hydrogen Training Centre Opens at Fife College

• 🏆 Three Fife Charities Nominated for 2025 Scottish Charity Awards

• 🍻 Fife Bars Shine at Scottish Entertainment & Hospitality Awards

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🌍 East Neuk Students Compete for MIT Innovation Prize

Students from The Waid Academy in East Neuk, Fife, have earned a spot in the National Innovation Challenge finals. The competition, focused on developing sustainable solutions, has shortlisted three teams from Fife, making them the only Scottish teams among the top ten finalists in the UK. The students’ projects tackle real-world problems in sustainability:

• Brickteria: Lucas Bain and Murray Allan’s microbial concrete made using calcifying bacteria to reduce environmental impact.

• C.C.O.D.U: Anneliese Uringa and Arran Ogilvie’s concept for carbon capture, turning CO2 into oxygen and carbon products like graphite and synthetic diamonds.

• The ReComposer: Nicky Dimitrov’s recycling machine that transforms waste into alternative products.

The teams are now set to refine their ideas with expert feedback before the final decision in July. The winning team will visit MIT in Boston this September to enhance their skills and experience cutting-edge research on sustainability. [Fife Council]

🔧 UK’s First Hydrogen Training Centre Opens at Fife College

Fife College has launched the UK’s first hydrogen training centre for Gas Safe engineers, marking a major step forward in green energy skills. Based at the Levenmouth Campus, the facility will train over 100 local engineers this year, equipping them with the green skills needed to safely convert homes from natural gas to hydrogen as part of SGN’s H100 Fife project.

The H100 Fife initiative aims to deliver a fully green hydrogen network to heat and power local homes in Levenmouth through a new purpose-built network. Engineers from SGN, Baxi, Worcester Bosch, and Warmworks will take part in the programme, gaining an official hydrogen qualification as part of their Gas Safe registration. [Fife College]

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🚶‍♀️ The footpath and crossing improvements in Hill of Beath will go ahead after £50,000 was reallocated from a scrapped car park project to support pedestrian safety on the B981.

• 🧹 The controversial Pittenweem witch mural, which divided opinion in the East Neuk village, has finally been removed from the Larachmhor Tavern after a failed planning appeal and enforcement warning from Fife Council.

• 🏡 Fife Council is building 41 new council homes in Dunfermline, with additional developments starting in Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath, as part of its drive to tackle the housing emergency and boost local construction jobs.

• 🏏 Fife beachgoers were treated to a star appearance as Ally McCoist joined Kilmacolm's cricket team on Elie beach, delighting fans with four wickets.

• 🏃 Three ultra runners from Fife, David Cowan, Martin Bell, and Scott Robb, are set to tackle the 400km Cape Wrath Ultra Marathon. They are aiming to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland

• 🪑 Volunteers from Dunfermline Men's Shed were left disheartened after refurbished benches and tables in Pittencrieff Park were vandalised with graffiti, just weeks after their restoration efforts.

• 🎸 St Andrews rock-themed restaurant Ziggy’s has announced it is closing after 42 years. New owners are poised to take over the Ziggy’s premises but are planning to refurbish and change the name before reopening.

• ⚖️ Nineteen youths aged 14 to 16 have now been charged over a violent gang attack near Pettycur Beach in Kinghorn that left four teenagers seriously injured, with police confirming charges including assault, abduction, and robbery.

• 🏞️ There are growing calls for better funding for Lochore Meadows, which attracted nearly one million visitors last year. Local councillors have expressed concern over the park’s budget, with only £384,000 allocated from the revenue budget.

• 🕗 The clock faces at St Mary’s Church in Leslie, a historic Category B listed building dating back to the late 1870s, are set to be replaced after inspections revealed they are in poor condition and beyond repair.

• 🎉 Jean Hampton, a resident at Preston House Care Home in Glenrothes, marked her 100th birthday with a special celebration, receiving flowers from Councillor Daniel Wilson and a visit from Colonel Jim Kinloch.

AROUND FIFE

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

🏆 Three Fife Charities Nominated for 2025 Scottish Charity Awards

Three inspiring Fife-based charities are in the running for top honours at the 2025 Scottish Charity Awards, with nominations announced this week by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). They join 42 finalists from across Scotland, competing in ten award categories celebrating the voluntary sector’s impact. Fife’s nominees are:

• Martin Flynn - EATS Rosyth: Volunteer of the Year

• Sumi Bhandari - Fife Nepalese Community: Volunteer of the Year

• Seescape and Fife's Football Clubs - Making Football Accessible: Partnership of the Year

The public can get involved by voting in the People’s Choice Award, with polls open until 5pm on Tuesday, May 20 via the SCVO website. Get your votes in here. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on June 19.

🍻 Fife Bars Shine at Scottish Entertainment & Hospitality Awards

The Golf Inn @ Ladybank took home the Best Independent Bar in the East title, beating 18 other venues in the category. The team described the win as “a symbol of dedication, passion, and the deep-rooted connection we share with our patrons and the local community.” The bar was also shortlisted for Best Music Venue, but missed out on the top spot in a highly competitive category that included heavyweights like Barrowland Ballroom.

Fife was well represented across the board, highlighting the strength of the region’s hospitality scene. Other local nominees included:

• The Ball Room & Sports Bar, Dunfermline - Best Sports Bar, Best Day Out

• Greenhouse Bar and Grill, Cupar - Best Eco-Friendly Venue, Best Family Restaurant, Best Social Responsibility

• Montagues, Kirkcaldy - Best Independent Bar in the East

• Albert Tavern, Freuchie - Best Independent Bar in the East

• Styx, Glenrothes - Best Independent Bar in the East, Best Sports Bar

• Balcomie Links Hotel, Anstruther - Best Hotel Bar of the Year, Best Independent Bar in the East

• Wheatsheaf Inn, Kirkcaldy - Best Independent Bar in the East

Check out all the finalists here.

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by Fife Insider | Location: Loch Leven’s Larder

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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

 📍 Mike Masse – Internationally acclaimed artist and arranger who performs epic acoustic classic rock.
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕘 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £24.20

📍 Old Time Sailors at Cambo – Foot-stomping night of sea shanties, tavern tunes, and dancing.
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Cambo Country House and Estate, St Andrews | 🎟️ £20

 📍 Jack Badcock – Songcraft exploring human history, cosmology, personal experiences and profound questions, influenced by folk, funk and soul music.
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕘 7:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12

 📍 Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac – The ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups.
📅 Thu, 8th & Fri, 9th May | 🕘 8:00pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £40

 📍 Straighten Out – Tribute band to The Stranglers.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 7:00pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13.50

 📍 The Mersey Beatles – The world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to the Fab Four.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £28

 📍 James Low Sings – Plays guitar beautifully and sings like a buddy brit pop star.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 8:30pm | 📍 The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

 📍 Bruach – A night of folk rock tunes and jars.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕘 8:30pm | 📍 The Wheatsheaf Inn, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Stuart Michael: The Psychic Medium – Direct from the West End, an evening of spiritual messages and dream interpretations.
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £30

📍 New Movement Dance Company: Destination Unknown – A dynamic evening of dance showcasing new works and talent.
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £7.50

📍 The Scottish Magician – Enter the spellbinding world of Cameron Young, one of Scotland’s most exciting magical talents.
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £10

📍 VE Day Celebration with The Vintage Girls – Celebrate with a cabaret evening featuring The Vintage Girls.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕕 6:00pm | 📍 Earlsferry Town Hall, Earlsferry | 🎟️ £16.96

📍 The Man Who Left the Titanic – A gripping play exploring the legacy of J. Bruce Ismay, the man who left the doomed Titanic.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £16

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Walk ON at Kirkcaldy Galleries – Join a casual walk around the local area followed by a chat about books, exhibitions, or anything else!
📅 Tue, 6th May | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Alto King – Follows two of New York’s most notorious organised crime bosses as they vie for control of the city’s streets.
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

📍 One to One: John & Yoko – Documentary film set in 1972 New York exploring John and Yoko’s musical, personal, artistic, social, and political world
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 The Penguin Lessons – Poignant dramedy following an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 Anna’s Ceilidh for Berklee – Unforgettable night filled with performances from extraordinary musicians.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Corn Exchange, Cupar | 🎟️ £15

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Bookbug at Rothes Halls – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers!
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕑 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug at Burntisland Library – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers!
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕑 10:30am | 📍 Burntisland Library, Burntisland | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug at Leslie Library – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers!
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕑 2:00pm | 📍 Leslie Library, Leslie | 🎟️ Free

📍 Kids' Dens: LEGO Club – Join the LEGO Club to create masterpieces, learn new skills, and have fun building with a new theme each week.
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕒 3:30pm | 📍 Kincardine Library, Kennoway | 🎟️ £2

📍 Unearthed Bookbug at Leslie Library – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers!
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕑 11:00am | 📍 St Andrews Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Kids' Dens: LEGO Club – Join the LEGO Club to create masterpieces, learn new skills, and have fun building with a new theme each week.
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕒 3:15pm | 📍 Kennoway Library, Kennoway | 🎟️ £2

📍 Kids' Dens: LEGO Club – Join the LEGO Club to create masterpieces, learn new skills, and have fun building with a new theme each week.
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕒 3:30pm | 📍 Kelty Library, Kelty | 🎟️ £2

🥗 Food & Drink

🛒 Markets

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

📍 Balgove Night Market – Stock up on fresh local produce.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 5:00pm | 📍 Balgove Larder Farm Shop, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

🎨 Exhibitions

📍 Unearthed – Step back in time to discover how Scotland was formed, explore prehistoric creatures, and uncover treasures from Fife’s past.
📅 Sat, 8th February – Sat, 27th September | 🕒 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 – A stunning collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces, at Affordable Arts!
📅 Tue, 4th March – Tue, 28th October | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

📍 Hag: Knowledge, Power & Alchemy through Craft – An inspiring exhibition celebrating the creativity, strength, and mastery of 13 Scottish women craft artists.
📅 Sat, 8th March – Sun, 8th June | 🕙 Various times | 📍 Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre – Explore Cupar’s rich history with exhibitions celebrating 250 years of Cupar Curling Club, a newly restored portrait of Charles Lees, famous creative locals, and the story of an 1870s dress that made its way to New Zealand.
📅 Wed, 16th April – Fri, 31st October | 🕒 2pm (Wed, Fri & Sun) | 📍 Cupar Railway Station, Cupar | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bunker Shots: Stories of Golf and Conflict – Discover the surprising connections between golf and conflict, including the impact of war on golfers and their equipment.
📅 Fri, 18th April - Tue, 31st March | 🕘 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 with memorabilia, photos, and more.
📅 Wed, 30th April - Sun, 8th June | 🕘 10am (Mon - Sat) & 12pm (Sun) | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Yolandé Kenny: Watercolours of Our Beautiful Fife Coast – Watercolours capturing the charm of Fife's coastline, from local wildlife to the ebb and flow of coastal life.
📅 Tue, 29th Apr – Wed, 28th May | 🕒 10am (Mon - Sat) & 11am (Sun) | 📍 The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Wonder Store – An exhibition curated by Robert & David Mach, inspired by the old Wonder Store in Methil, showcasing artworks by various renowned artists.
📅 Fri, 2nd May - Sat, 27th Jun | 🕚 Varies | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre, Methil | 🎟️ Free

🧶 Arts & Crafts

📍 Dreel Crafters – Grab a cuppa and get crafting with friendly faces. All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📅 Tue, 6th & Thu, 8th May | 🕑 7pm (Tue) & 2pm (Thu) | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

📍 Painting a Monogram on Glass Workshop – Create a personalised monogram on glass with artist Mira Caie in this beginner-friendly workshop.
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Cupar Old Parish Centre, Cupar | 🎟️ £30

📍 Native Wools to Felt and Spin – Make a small felt piece to take home and learn how to prepare fleece for spinning.
📅 Wed, 7th May | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Heartfelt Studio, Newburgh | 🎟️ £38.62

📍 Carding Rainbows – Wool carding workshop where you’ll blend colours and textures to create your own rainbow wool collection.
📅 Thu, 8th May | 🕥 10:30am | 📍 Heartfelt Studio, Newburgh | 🎟️ £38.62

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SPORTS

Fixtures

No upcoming fixtures.

Results

⚽ Queen’s Park 1-5 Raith Rovers
📅 Fri, 2 May | 🕒 19:45 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Greenock Morton 2-0 Dunfermline Athletic
📅 Fri, 2 May | 🕒 19:45 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Kelty Hearts 2-1 Alloa Athletic
📅 Sat, 3 May | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 1

⚽ East Fife 2-0 Elgin City
📅 Sat, 3 May | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 2

THANKS FOR READING

Thanks for reading Fife Insider today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who’s always wearing shorts, whatever the weather.

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!