🧭 Big River Restoration Begins in Fife

Good morning, Fifers! Last Friday, we spotlighted three Fife parks that earned Green Flags and asked you to pick your favourite. It was a close race for 2nd and 3rd place, but Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline took the crown with 59.38% of the vote.

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• New Fife Council Handy Person Service

• Big River Restoration Begins in Fife

• 61 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🛠️ New Handy Person Service Launches in Kirkcaldy Area

Need a hand with small jobs around the house? A new Handy Person Service is now available for residents in Kirkcaldy, Dysart, Kinghorn, Burntisland, and Auchtertool. Run in partnership between Fife Council and the not-for-profit Community Trade Hub Limited, the service is designed for those who may struggle with certain tasks, whether due to age, disability, or affordability.

It’s open to everyone and aims to provide a trusted, reliable, and low-cost way to get those awkward household jobs ticked off. Services include installing washing machines, changing light bulbs, small plumbing or electrical repairs, and even moving furniture to the kerb for uplift. If your specific task isn’t listed, you can still get in touch to see what’s possible.

To check your eligibility and apply for the service, head here.

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🥧 Stephens' iconic steak bridies will no longer be sold at Dunfermline Athletic matches after the club partnered with new hospitality firm Thomas Franks, ending a two-decade-long matchday tradition.

• ⚓ Aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is heading to Rosyth for seven months in dry dock, following sea trials, as part of major maintenance after six years of global operations.

• 🔔 Plans have been submitted to stabilise the historic bell at Crail Town Hall, with Fife Council seeking listed building consent to prevent future deterioration of the 16th-century tower’s metal support structure.

• 🏖️ Aberdour’s Silver Sands beach has been named a top wild swimming spot this July, praised for its clean, calm waters.

• ⚠️ RNLI lifeguards have issued a warning after a rise in jellyfish stings at Fife beaches, including sightings of painful Lion’s Mane jellyfish at Elie and Kincardine. Beachgoers are urged to stay alert.

• 💷 Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing is urging local groups to apply for a share of a £700,000 Scottish Government fund supporting crime victims, with applications open until August 4.

• 🌿 Fife Council has secured £800K from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to revamp urban green spaces, aiming to boost climate resilience, wellbeing, and tourism across towns like Dunfermline, Glenrothes, and Kirkcaldy.

• 🍞 Fife bakery, Bayne’s, is eyeing further expansion across Scotland following 5 years of growth in the central belt and Glasgow.

• 🏆 Nominations are now open for the 2025 Forth Awards, celebrating local heroes across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and Falkirk. Submit entries by August 20 for a chance to win tickets to the star-studded event.

• 🍿 Kirkcaldy-based business, Sephra, has secured a deal with Outwith Festival in Dunfermline this September to supply their popcorn at various venues during the five-day event.

AROUND FIFE

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

🌿 Back Burn River Project Kicks Off

Pollution issues around the UK coast are a well-known issue, with recent cases at Burntisland and Kinghorn bringing this closer to home. Nevertheless, it is not all bad news for Fife’s water environment with news that a major river restoration project in the Kingdom is now entering its construction phase. The Back Burn Project aims to bring nature back to life in parts of Glenrothes and Markinch, while also making the area more resilient to climate change.

The project will restore nearly 6km of watercourses to a more natural state by removing barriers like weirs, re-routing parts of the river, and boosting habitats for fish, wildlife, and native plants. Work has already begun at Coul Den and Balbirnie Park, where you’ll soon spot new bridges, boardwalks, and step pools being installed, all designed to improve water flow and reduce flood risk. And don’t worry, the iconic blue sluice gate at Coul Den will remain in place!

This is a fantastic partnership effort involving Fife Council, SEPA, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, and environmental contractors, funded through the Water Environment Fund. A similar restoration project is also in the works for the Whinny and Brankholm Burns in Rosyth.

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

In today’s issue, we’re experimenting with a new format for our events list. Based on reader feedback, events are now organised by date rather than by category. We’ve also temporarily removed the Featured Events section. Instead, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this new format. Please let us know what you think by answering the quick poll below. If you have any other suggestions, just reply to this email. I read every message!

📅 Tuesday, 22nd July

Felted Sea Creature Workshop - An introduction to the Art of Needle Felting Inspired by our exhibition Forthlines.
📁 Art | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ £4

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 10am | 📍 Duloch Library | 🎟️ Free

WEA Summer Crafts - 6 week adult craft course. Everything from summer wreath making to sea glass art.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Buckhaven Library | 🎟️ Free

The Art of the Tree - This one day workshop will be about observing what makes each tree different - portraits of living texture and colour.
📁 Art | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Heartfelt Studio, Newburgh | 🎟️ £76.55

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 12pm | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ Free

WEA Summer Crafts - 6 week adult craft course. Everything from summer wreath making to sea glass art.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Cadham Library | 🎟️ Free

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Oakley Library | 🎟️ Free

Cheese and Wine Night - Enjoy a glass of wine of your choice and a chessboard.
📁 Food & Drink | 🕢 5:00pm | 📍 The Old Vic, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Open Air Theatre Performance: As You Like It - Shakespeare’s most entrancing romantic comedy.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £18

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

King Creosote - Since the mid-late 1990s, King Creosote has released over 100 records.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £30

📅 Wednesday, 23rd July

Escape Room Experience: The Last Exhibit - Can you escape the Bell Pettigrew Museum that has been taken over by a rogue technology?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Scottish Ford Day & Classic Car Show - Come along and see some classic cars and commercial vehicles.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 Lochore Meadows Country Park | 🎟️ Free

Summer Reading Challenge: Storytime and Craft - Take part in some amazing nature themed crafts and storytelling sessions!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life - Uplifting and heart-warming throwback to classic romance, with a modern sensibility.
📁 Movie | 🕢 11am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

Elio - Cosmic mis-adventure featuring Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession.
📁 Movie | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £1+

Dreamy Summer - Weave your own paper plate dream catcher.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 2pm | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

One To One: John and Yoko - Set in 1972 New York, this documentary explores John and Yoko’s world amid a turbulent era.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6+

The Shoregate Session - Everything from traditional tunes through to songs ancient and modern.
📁 Music | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 The Shoregate, Crail | 🎟️ Free

📅 Thursday, 24th July

Escape Room Experience: The Last Exhibit - Can you escape the Bell Pettigrew Museum that has been taken over by a rogue technology?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 10am | 📍 St Andrews Library | 🎟️ Free

Words from the Coast - 5 week creative writing project designed to immerse participants in the evocative environment of the coast.
📁 Art | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ PWYC

Rock Art Drop-In - Be inspired by our current exhibition Forthlines and paint your own rock to take home.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 12:15pm | 📍 Ladybank Library | 🎟️ Free

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

Summer Holiday Workshop: Hack the Future - Build, hack, animate, and travel through time with our hands-on, future-focused workshops!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

John Henry Lorimer Tour - Discover the world & work of artist John Henry Lorimer at his former home and muse, Kellie Castle & Garden.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Kellie Castle | 🎟️ £8.53

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Newport Library | 🎟️ Free

Madison Violet - Exceptional storytellers, skilled multi-instrumentalists and perfect harmonists.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £17

📅 Friday, 25th July

Escape Room Experience: The Last Exhibit - Can you escape the Bell Pettigrew Museum that has been taken over by a rogue technology?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Hill of Tarvit Guided Tour - Find out more about the people who lived at Hill of Tarvit Mansion House, in this 50-minute guided tour.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Hill of Tarvit Mansion House | 🎟️ £14.88

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

Hillview Animal Park: Summer Visits - Come along and meet our friendly animals.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 10:00am & 1:00pm | 📍 Hillview Animal Park | 🎟️ £5

Learn Photography @ Fife Zoo - Full day course with Drew Cunningham and Grant Keelan for beginners, amateurs and enthusiasts.
📁 Art | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Fife Zoo | 🎟️ £50

St Andrews Heritage Tour - Discover hidden gems, stories, and secrets by exploring St Andrews Castle, Cathedral, and more.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 St Andrews War Memorial | 🎟️ £10

Life Drawing - Artists of all levels welcome, from those established to those just curious to try life drawing or starting out.
📁 Art | 🕢 6:45pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £7

Idlewild - Scottish rock band formed in Edinburgh in 1995.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Sold Out

Easy Rider - Wyatt and Billy travel across the USA on motorbikes in search of freedom and meaning.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

Soul Station - Resident DJ Martin Duffy keeps us entertained, so bring your dancing shoes.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £9.38

The Darjeeling Limited - A year after the death of their father, 3 brothers set out on a train journey across India, in an attempt to reconcile with each other.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £5+

Comedy Sneak Peeks: Connor Burns + Kai Humphries - Don’t miss the hilarious all-star Sneak Peek Edinburgh Fringe previews.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12.50

Alicia Bickett Psychic Medium - Australian Psychic Medium Alicia Bickett performs at Methil & District Ex Servicemen’s Club for one night only!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Methil & District Ex-Servicemens Club | 🎟️ £16.96

Roxy Magic - UK's best and longest-running tribute to Roxy Music & Bryan Ferry.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ Sold Out

Bohemian Monk Machine - Fundraiser for Kirkcaldy Parks Running Festival.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 The Duchess, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

🎉 Multi-Day Festivals & Exhibitions

Crail Festival - 10 days of local fun ranging from big music acts to gamily friendly events such as the popular rock stacking competition.
📅 Wed, 16th - Sat, 26th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Crail | 🎟️ Varies

Composted - 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

Crail Brushstrokes - Landscapes and landmarks familiar to many who live in or visit this lovely part of the world.
📅 Tue, 1st - Tue, 29th July | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

Coastlines - Exhibition showcasing dynamic drawings by Fife school pupils.
📅 Thu, 10th July - Sat, 2nd August | 🕢 11am (Wed-Fri) & 1pm (Sat) | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

Aberdour Festival - Packed 10 day programme of family activities, workshops, music, and more.
📅 Fri, 25th July - Sun, 3rd August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Aberdour | 🎟️ Varies

Making Waves; Breaking Ground - Unique exhibition of large scale paintings and artwork.
📅 Sat, 19th July - Mon, 4th August | 🕢 10:00am (Tue-Sun) | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ Free

Pittenweem Arts Festival - An inspiring journey through creativity, community, and the vibrant village.
📅 Sat, 2nd - Sat, 9th August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Pittenweem | 🎟️ Varies

Cafe Inc - Free lunch club for children and young people.
📅 Mon, 7th July - Sun, 17th August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Across Fife | 🎟️ Varies

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust’s Summer Programme - Quid a Kid, weekly activity sessions, sport drop-ins, crafting, family fun days, and more.
📅 Mon, 7th July - Sun, 17th August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Across Fife | 🎟️ Varies

Deep Sea World Fantasea - This summer, Deep Sea World transforms into a mythical world of magic, mystery, and marine marvels.
📅 Sat, 28th June - Sun, 17th August | 🕢 | 📍 Deep Sea World, North Queensferry | 🎟️ £13.75+

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

Forthlines - Displays of squares made by people living in Fife, of places that they know and love.
📅 Sat, 24th May - Sun, 31st August | 🕢 10:00am (11:00am Sun) | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Museum Entry

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

Rewrite the Future - Explore how today's choices can shape a fairer, more sustainable tomorrow.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sun, 28th September | 🕢 9:45am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

The Lost Words - Featuring original artwork by artist Jackie Morris and spell-poems by writer Robert Macfarlane.
📅 Sat, 28th June - Sun, 26th October | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ 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

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

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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!