🧭 Fife Pub Named Best in Scotland

Good morning, Fifers! It’s been an odd few days of weather, we’re not quite sure whether to wear a T-shirt or a rain jacket with how quickly it’s been changing.

Here’s what else is coming your way today:

• Work on New Walking Route Begins

• Fife’s Winning Retail and Hospitality Businesses

• 50 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🚶‍♂️ Work Begins on River Park Routes in Levenmouth

Levenmouth has been undergoing some exciting developments as part of the Leven Project, with a key focus on better connecting communities in the area. The opening of the Leven and Cameron Bridge railway stations in June 2024, and the timetable improvements we covered in a previous newsletter, have been a major part of this. Another key focus is active travel, and the next project to support this is about to begin under the River Park Routes initiative.

Starting June 23rd, construction will begin on a new 4m-wide, fully accessible off-road path network along the River Leven, connecting the new Leven and Cameron Bridge stations. This key part of the Levenmouth Connectivity Project will link local communities with improved active travel routes, featuring lighting, seating, railings, and native planting to enhance the area.

The route will be built in phases to minimise disruption, with initial work starting at Poplar Road in the west and moving east towards Bawbee Bridge and Elm Park. These early phases are expected to be completed by early 2026. The new path network will also tie in with existing bridges at Duniface, Mountfleurie, and Methilhaven Road, creating seamless links across the wider active travel network. [Fife Council]

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏒 Fife Flyers have appointed Steven Wishart, current Head Coach of the SNL’s Kirkcaldy Kestrels & Junior club, as Head of Player Development, strengthening ties with Kirkcaldy Ice Hockey Club and boosting the pathway for local talent from junior hockey to pro level.

• 🍽️ Fife College’s student-run restaurant, The Academy, has been rated Kirkcaldy’s number one on Tripadvisor, with expansion plans set for the new Dunfermline campus opening later this year.

• 🏡 Family firm Gleneagles Holiday Park Ltd plans 216 luxury lodges west of Northbank in St Andrews. Focused on sustainability, the development would expand existing facilities, including bar, restaurant, and reception.

• ☀️ Fife Council backs plans for Nettly Burn Renewable Energy Park near Knockhill Racing Circuit. The 80-hectare solar farm could generate 80MW, powering 20,000 homes, while boosting local biodiversity and community benefits.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Bring the Brood initiative has supported 49 families across South and West Fife with fun, inclusive weekly activities, boosting family bonds and well-being since 2024. More sessions are planned until spring 2026, with half of the project's funding still available.

• 🥕 Cupar Food Station plans to transform a vacant town centre building into a food hub with a foodbank, café, market, and wellness services.

• 🏗️ Kirkcaldy High Street and seafront have been prioritised for regeneration through the UK Government's £240M Growth Mission Fund. Complete the survey to have your say on how the money should be spent.

• 🎉 Headwell Play Park in Dunfermline is now officially open! Backed by £120,668 in funding and driven by strong community effort, the new park features inclusive and engaging play equipment for all ages.

• 🌶️ Dalgety Bay’s Spice of India takeaway has condemned false claims on a popular Fife Facebook page that immigration officers visited the business. Police confirmed they attended for a utility issue, not enforcement.

• 🏥 Plans for an £8 million Kincardine Health Centre have been approved by Fife Council despite funding delays. The new facility aims to replace the outdated Kilbagie Street practice and improve local healthcare access.

• 🍽️ Free school meals to expand for Fife secondary pupils in S1-S3 from August, thanks to a new pilot.

AROUND FIFE

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

🏆 Fife’s Winning Retail and Hospitality Businesses

It’s been a busy month in the world of business awards, with several taking place across the UK, including the British Asian Wedding Awards and more. But here in the Kingdom, the spotlight has been on the Scottish Independent Retail Awards and the Scottish Hospitality Awards, where several local businesses were recognised for their excellence.

We’ve rounded up all the Fife-based winners below and added them to our list of places to check out!

Scottish Independent Retail Awards

• Florist of the Year (Recognised for Excellence): Wildbells (Burntisland)

• Gift Retailer of the Year (Outstanding Achievement): Gibbles (Anstruther)

• Independent Sports Retailer of the Year (Recognised for Excellence): ACA Sports Limited (Kirkcaldy)

• Coffee Shop of the Year (Outstanding Achievement): The Cafe at Number 16 (Aberdour)

• Fishmonger of the Year (Recognised for Excellence): C Sinclair (Burntisland)

• Menswear Retailer of the Year (Outstanding Achievement): Shmooz (Dunfermline)

• Eatery of the Year (Recognised for Excellence): Cromwell Kitchen (Burntisland)

Scottish Hospitality Awards

• Best Bar: The Keys Bar (St Andrews)

• Local Live Music Venue of the Year: The Monarch Bar & Function Room (Dunfermline)

• Best Children’s Entertainment (Outstanding Achievement): Play Planet (Dunfermline)

• Shopping Complex of the Year (Outstanding Achievement): Kingsgate Shopping Centre (Dunfermline)

👉 Check out the full list of winners here: Scottish Hospitality Awards | Scottish Independent Retail Awards

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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 Shoregate Session - Everything from traditional tunes through to songs ancient and modern.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 The Shoregate, Crail | 🎟️ Free

📍 East Neuk Festival - A festival celebrating music in the East Neuk.
📅 Thu, 26th - Sun, 29th June | 🕢 Varies | 📍 East Neuk | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Tommy Bentz - Special solo acoustic show.
📅 Thu, 26th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Ceres Inn, Ceres | 🎟️ Free

📍 Sweet Caroline - Ultimate tribute to Neil Diamond.
📅 Thu, 26th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £25

📍 Singers Night - Evening of folk music with the Crail Folk Club.
📅 Thu, 26th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £2

📍 Soul Station - Resident DJ Martin Duffy keeps us entertained, so bring your dancing shoes.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £9.38

📍 Fife Punkfest - 16 phenomenal local bands.
📅 Fri, 27th - Sat, 28th June | 🕢 7:00pm (Fri) & 1:30pm (Sat) | 📍 Windsor Hotel, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £17.50

📍 Phantoms of the Popera: Starring G4 - The UK’s No1 vocal harmony quartet and original X Factor stars.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.50

📍 Queen of the Night - Tribute to Whitney Houston.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £23.10

📍 Motown Brothers - Soul-shaking, heart-thumping night of music.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Royal British Legion, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £7

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Since its Tony Award winning debut on Broadway in 2005, this witty and charming musical has delighted audiences across the globe.
📅 Wed, 25th - Sat, 28th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Auchtermuchty Church Hall | 🎟️ £12

📍 Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Tayport Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society are delighted to present Beauty and the Beast.
📅 Wed, 25th - Sat, 28th June | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Blyth Hall, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £16

📍 Anastasia the Musical - This dazzling show transports you from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the '20s.
📅 Thu, 26th - Sat, 28th June | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £15

📍 Carrie the Musical - Musical adaptation bringing Stephen King’s classic novel to life.
📅 Thu, 26th - Sat, 28th June | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £18.5

🎬 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

📍 Royal Garden Tour - Guided tour around the beautiful grounds of Falkland Palace, led by our former Head Gardener.
📅 Mon, 23rd June | 🕢 3:00pm | 📍 Falkland Palace & Garden | 🎟️ £17.52

📍 Lunchtime Lecture: Seeds of Thought - How phenology can help us communicate more effectively about changing climates.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 12:30pm | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden | 🎟️ £3

📍 Fairmont St Andrews: Pop up Tennis Court Launch - Watch Jonny O’Mara take on on Nick Rosenzweig in a one off match.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 4:00pm | 📍 St Andrews Bay Clubhouse and Grill | 🎟️ Free

📍 Create in Kirkcaldy - Evening of inspiration, learning, and networking for creatives.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 5:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Fife Cabaret Festival - 5 nights of cabaret performances.
📅 Wed, 25th Jun - Sun, 29th Jun | 🕢 7:00pm (Wed) 8:00pm (Thu-Sun) | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £15

📍 Dunimarle Castle Guided Tour - Experience the wonder of a guided Castle and Chapel Tour in just 90 minutes!
📅 Thu, 26th June | 🕢 11:00am & 2:00pm | 📍 Dunimarle Castle | 🎟️ £11.55

📍 Psychic Floor Show - Angel Anne is known as Scotland’s Angel of the North and is a third generation medium & Author.
📅 Thu, 26th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Kennoway Bowling Club | 🎟️ £20

📍 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.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Hill of Tarvit Mansion House | 🎟️ £14.88

📍 Learn Photography @ Fife Zoo - Full day course with Drew Cunningham and Grant Keelan for beginners, amateurs and enthusiasts.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Fife Zoo | 🎟️ £50

📍 St Andrews Heritage Tour - Discover hidden gems, stories, and secrets by exploring St Andrews Castle, Cathedral, and more.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 St Andrews War Memorial | 🎟️ £10

📍 Diary of a Fleeting Affair - A single mother and a married man enter into an affair.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 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

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Mon, 23rd June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Burntisland Library | 🎟️ Free

📍 Tea, Trees 'n Tots - Sensory stories, music, crafts, and mindful connection with nature.
📅 Thu, 26th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Pittencrief Park, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Scarecrow Festival - With almost 40 locations to visit last year, it's a great way to get the kids out for a wander, even if you have to bribe them with cake!
📅 Fri, 27th - Sun, 29th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Newburgh | 🎟️ £1

📍 Gaelic and Scots Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

📍 Abbey Kids - Creative group for children and their carers.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 4:00pm | 📍 Dunfermline Abbey Church Hall | 🎟️ Free

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Farm Wildlife Walk - Hear about farming with two Sites of Special Scientific Interest on the doorstep.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Little Ballo Farm | 🎟️ Free

📍 Farm to Barn Supper Club - Two Fife food businesses join together to create something special.
📅 Thu, 26th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Pratis Barns, Leven | 🎟️ £85

🛒 Markets

📍 Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 9:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

📍 Mid Summer Market - Lots of lovely Makers, food & drink what more could you ask for on a Friday night!
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 252 Memorial Hall, Markinch | 🎟️ 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

📍 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

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

📍 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

📍 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

📍 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

📍 Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.📅 Tue, 24th & Thu, 26th June | 🕢 7pm (Tue) & 2pm (Thu) | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

📍 Garden Shed Floral Workshops & Garden Tour - Seasonal gardening and floral workshop with accompanying tours of the Walled Garden on the estate.
📅 Wed, 25th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Balgove Larder Farm Shop & Café | 🎟️ £35.95

📍 Life Drawing - Artists of all levels welcome, from those established to those just curious to try life drawing or starting out.
📅 Fri, 27th June | 🕢 6:45pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £7

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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!