🧭 Fife’s Award-Winning Beaches Revealed

Good morning, Fifers! It’s been a wet few days since our last update, but it was a good excuse to have a quiet weekend and put our feet up.

Here’s what else is coming your way today:

• NHS Fife Pilot to Tackle Takeaway Portion Sizes

• Fife Beaches Scoop Record Wins at Scottish Awards

• 44 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🍔 NHS Fife Pilot to Tackle Takeaway Portion Sizes

Here at the Fife Insider, we love a takeaway as much as anyone, our team’s top pick? A spicy Indian, hands down. But with obesity rates in Scotland hitting a record 32% in 2023, health professionals are raising concerns that oversized takeaway portions, and the way they’re marketed, could be fuelling a wider national health issue.

As such, NHS Fife has decided to trial some new ideas aimed at tackling the problem. Indeed, the latest Director of Public Health Annual Report reveals a new pilot scheme working with local takeaways to explore how portion sizes might be trimmed to cut calories and improve health.

Still in its early days, the scheme aims to understand how businesses currently view calories and portions on their menus, and what support they might need to make changes. While no one will be forced to reduce portions just yet, however unlikely, lobby groups are pushing for licensing powers that could eventually enforce limits.

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🥃 Kingsbarns Distillery has launched its first cask ownership programme, offering whisky fans secure, direct purchase of their own barrel, with full traceability.

• 🏫 Fife Council has approved a £4.4m extension to Viewforth High School in Kirkcaldy to accommodate rising pupil numbers from new housing developments. The single-storey expansion will increase capacity from 600 to 750 pupils and include flexible learning spaces with garden access.

• 🎨 Fife College art students launched a new community gallery at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, with uplifting artwork designed to enhance the hospital environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

• 💣 Shell Bay beach in Elie was closed after a mortar shell was found. Coastguards secured the area until a controlled explosion was carried out. The beach reopened on Sunday afternoon.

• 🏛️ Cowdenbeath Town House has secured £1 million to redevelop into a community and enterprise hub, preserving local heritage while boosting access to training, employment, and wellbeing services.

• 🏡 Galbraith estate agent has urged the Scottish Government to scrap the 8% second home tax, saying it burdens buyers and disrupts the local property market in East Neuk, despite recent improvements in sales and outlook.

• 🏘️ Fife Council is reducing reliance on B&Bs for temporary housing through new community-based and supported accommodation models, as part of its ongoing response to the local housing emergency declared in 2024.

• 🏗️ Work is restarting on over 200 new council homes in Fife after contracts were awarded for sites in Lumphinnans, Dunfermline, and Lochore, following delays caused by a contractor going into receivership last year.

• 🎒 Catchment area changes for Kirkcaldy West and Dunnikier Primary Schools will go ahead from July 4, despite low consultation turnout. The move aims to ease overcrowding and support future town centre housing developments.

• 🩺 A new £5.5m, seven-bed adult respite facility in Glenrothes has been approved, replacing outdated Cowdenbeath services. Opening by autumn 2028, it aims to support adults locally and reduce costly out-of-area placements.

• 🚆 300,000 journeys have been made on the new Levenmouth rail link since it was first opened 1 year ago.

• 🧖‍♀️ Plans for a mobile sauna at St Andrews East Sands were rejected after public outcry over losing community land and setting a “dangerous precedent” for private use of common good assets.

AROUND FIFE

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

🏖️ Fife Beaches Scoop Record Wins at Scottish Awards

No matter where you are in the Kingdom, you’re never too far from a beach. We locals know just how lucky we are, from the golden stretch of West Sands in St Andrews to the sweeping tides of Burntisland Beach. While national attention often goes to the Hebrides or the far north, we’re not too bothered, more space on the sand for us Fifers (though Silver Sands can get a wee bit hectic on a sunny day!).

Still, it was great to see Fife get the recognition it deserves at the Scottish Beach Awards on May 30th, with our beaches scooping up a record 13 awards out of just 52 handed out across the country. That makes Fife the most awarded region in Scotland, not too shabby!

To get an award, a range of criteria must be met, including beach safety, access and facilities and cleanliness. You’ll find a list of all the winning beaches below. Click on your favourite to help us crown Fife’s top beach, we’ll reveal the overall winner in our next newsletter! Think the Scottish Beach Awards have missed out a worthy winner? Reply and let us know!

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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

📍 Sea Shanty Singing Workshop - Scotland's foremost sea shanty singer and teacher, Joss Cameron.
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 North Queensferry Community Centre | 🎟️ £5

📍 Sylvia Barnes & Sandy Stanage - Traditional and modern music and songwriting.
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Glen Tavern, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £8

📍 Kevin McGuire - Scotland’s answer to country music.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £16.50

📍 Eddi Reader - World famous Scottish singer-songwriter.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.50

📍 Breabach - Securely ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £20

📍 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

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire - As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £16.50

📍 Grado & Stephen Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex - The duo share late tales from their careers in television, wrestling and panto, plus plenty of personal anecdotes.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Markinch Town Hall | 🎟️ £25

📍 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

🎬 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

📍 Walk ON - Casual and relaxing group promoting the health benefits of walking and socialising.
📅 Tue, 3rd June | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

📍 Creative Conversations: Hayley Matthews - Bringing people together through inspiring discussions, ideas, and stories.
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

📍 A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things - Award winning documentary exploring St Andrews artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10

📍 The Great Escaper - Story of a WWII veteran who leaves his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £8

📍 Creative Writing Workshop: The Salon - Focus on your own projects, with optional writing prompts to help get ideas flowing.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 PWR Pro Live - Night of wrestling at PWR Pro's resident venue Truth Nightclub in Leven.
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Truth Nightclub, Leven | 🎟️ £12.57

📍 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

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 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

📍 Kids' Den: Lego Club - Learn skills, meet people, have fun as you construct, create and chill out!
📅 Tue, 3rd June | 🕢 3:15pm | 📍 Cadham Library, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £2

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Burntisland Library | 🎟️ Free

📍 Kids' Den: Lego Club - Learn skills, meet people, have fun as you construct, create and chill out!
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 3:30pm | 📍 Kincardine Library | 🎟️ £2

📍 Kids' Den: Lego Club - Learn skills, meet people, have fun as you construct, create and chill out!
📅 Thu, 5th June | 🕢 3:30pm | 📍 Kelty Library | 🎟️ £2

🥗 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

🛒 Markets

📍 Balgove Night Market - Stock up on fresh produce from the farm show, butchery, vegetable growers, and more.
📅 Tue, 3rd June | 🕢 5:00pm | 📍 Balgove Larder Farm Shop & Café | 🎟️ Free

📍 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

🎨 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

📍 Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📅 Tue, 3rd & Thu, 5th June | 🕢 7pm (Tue) & 2pm (Thu) | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

📍 Creative Coven: Voices & Visions of the Witch - Coven of creatives whose work is inspired by the Scottish witch hunts.
📅 Wed, 4th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ £14

📍 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

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THANKS FOR READING

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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!