🎸 Fife’s Best Music Venues You Need to Check Out

Good morning, Fifers! Things have been a bit quieter this week, but as we pulled together today’s edition, we couldn’t help but get excited for what’s coming up this weekend.

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• 🐕 Elmwood College Campus Closure Confirmed

• ⛳️ St Andrews Links Trust Offering Round Discounts

• 🍿 Fife’s International Film Festival Starts Today

• 🪕 Best Live Music Venues in Fife

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

— Duncan

WEATHER

Things are going to stay cloudy this week, but it looks like the worst of the cold weather might be behind us for the year. Here's the forecast:

Friday: 11 🌡️ 7 | ☁️

Saturday: 12 🌡️ 7 | 🌧️

Sunday: 14 🌡️ 9 | ☁️

Monday: 16 🌡️ 8 | ☁️

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🐕 Elmwood College Campus Closure Confirmed

Scotland’s Rural College has announced the permanent closure of the main building at Elmwood campus due to the deteriorating structural condition, which makes it financially unfeasible and unsafe to maintain. This follows a temporary decision last year to keep the west wing open to house the Animal Care unit for an additional academic year. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved.

This closure has sparked strong reactions from local politicians. Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, criticised the decision as a “massive blow” to students and staff, arguing that demand for the course remains high and there are no other local alternatives for studying animal care. [SRUC]

⛳️ St Andrews Links Trust Launches Drive Initiative to Widen Access to Golf

Playing the iconic Old Course in St Andrews is a bucket-list experience for golfers worldwide. However, this coveted opportunity comes at a steep price, with a round currently set at £340. This reflects a broader trend of Scotland's most famous courses becoming increasingly unaffordable for many players. To combat this, St Andrews Links Trust is offering Scots the chance to play on these legendary courses at a fraction of the cost, with rounds on the Old Course available for just £42.50.

Golfers must be residents of Scotland and cannot hold a current St Andrews Links Yearly Ticket to be eligible. A two-ball ballot will pair successful applicants, and families can apply for up to four golfers, with at least one child under 18. 716 tee times will be made available between May and October 2025. [St Andrews Links]

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 👮 Police investigating the serious assault on four young people in Kinghorn have made two more arrests, charging two 14-year-olds. They join a 16-year-old already arrested in connection with the April 10 attack.

• 🌟 Fife Star Wars fan Carl Morenikeji has fulfilled his lifelong dream by supplying 194 vintage items from his firm, Scaramanga, to the second season of Andor on Disney+.

• ♻️ Cupar is set to see new momentum in its long-running bid for a bigger recycling facility, with a dedicated project manager and working group having been appointed to explore options for a larger site.

• 🫑 Eden Martin, a 12-year-old girl from Dunfermline, has won Aldi's nationwide Food Waste Action Week poster competition. Her design, which featured fresh fruits and vegetables along with the slogan "eat smart, do your part," was selected for its creative approach to encouraging food waste reduction.

• 🏗️ A 900-home development in Kelty, led by I&H Brown, will begin this year and continue until 2040, also including a primary school, health centre, and employment spaces. The project will be completed in four phases, with the first phase delivering 180 homes by 2029.

• 🚑 NHS Fife will carry out up to three weeks of essential maintenance at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy after discovering corrosion in the plumbing. This will temporarily affect bed capacity in renal, paediatric, and neonatal wards.

• ⚓ St Andrews pier, closed since Storm Babet in October 2023, will reopen on April 30th, marking the occasion with the university's iconic Gaudie Procession.

• 🚒 Fife firefighters are facing potential cuts, with Lochgelly's rope rescue unit at risk as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service considers moving resources. A public consultation is planned for summer before any final decisions are made.

• 💷 Anstruther is set to receive a cash hub this week after the closure of its last bank, TSB, in 2021. The new service will offer basic banking functions, such as cash deposits, withdrawals, bill payments, and utility top-ups.

• 🏫 That Place in the Bay, a community hub in Dalgety Bay promoting mental wellbeing through arts and crafts, has announced it will close for the foreseeable future.

AROUND FIFE

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

🍿 Fife’s International Film Festival Starts Today

For all the movie lovers out there, today marks the start of Sands 25, Fife’s very own international film festival. Taking place at the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, this year’s edition features a fantastic lineup of diverse events across the three-day programme.

From conversations with industry figures like Kharmel Cochrane, one of the UK’s leading casting directors, to screenings that spotlight homegrown talent, including Tornado, directed by Fife’s own John Maclean, there’s plenty to enjoy. We’ve listed some of our personal highlights below, but be sure to check out the full programme here.

• The Ballad of Wallis Island: Friday @ 7:30pm

• This Much I Know… With Dominic Hughes: Saturday @ 4:00pm

• Holy Cow: Saturday @ 8:30pm

• Tornado: Sunday @ 8:00pm

🎸Best Live Music Venues in Fife

Here at the Fife Insider, we often hear from fellow Fifers that they struggle to find live music to enjoy. While it’s true that the Kingdom can’t quite compete with the likes of Glasgow or even Edinburgh when it comes to venues, we still believe there are some fantastic gigs to be found right on your doorstep.

Sure, they might not always be the biggest names on the circuit, but you could easily stumble upon a future headliner playing an intimate show. Below are a few of our favourite spots — and chances are, you’ve seen them pop up in our weekly event listings.

• PJ Molloys in Dunfermline might look like your typical pub, but step inside on a Friday or Saturday night and you’re likely to catch some brilliant rock and punk bands lighting up the stage.

• Backstage at The Green Hotel in Kinross is possibly the busiest venue in Fife for live acts, offering an impressive mix of performances each week. With space for around 120 people, the venue leans slightly towards tribute bands but keeps the lineup varied and entertaining.

• The Harbour Bar in Kirkcaldy is a more low-key spot, but no less worth your time. Every Friday and Saturday, you’ll find a mix of acts performing, and the best part? It’s usually free entry.

• Alhambra in Dunfermline is a larger venue than most on this list, and although it’s maybe best known for its Christmas panto and comedy acts, it also books some top-tier bands. Just last week, Ocean Colour Scene took the stage!

• The Shorgate in Crail is perfect for those after something a bit more relaxed and traditional. With session nights about twice a month, everyone is welcome to bring an instrument and join in or just sit at the bar and enjoy.

If you think we’ve missed any must-visit spots, let us know – we’d love to hear your suggestions!

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by Fife Insider | Location: Aberdour

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

✨ Featured Event

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🎶 Live Music & Concerts

📍 Bookfest – Enjoy a night of live music with Fife folk and rock acts including The Long Road, The Coaltown Daisies, Got Got Need & Dave Wood.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 The King’s, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 The Twistettes + Sophie De Rose + The Urban – A night of live rock music presented by RIOT ROCK at P.J. Molloys.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 P.J. Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £11

📍 Soul Station – Groove to the best soul and Motown tracks at this monthly event.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £8.30

📍 The Petty Heartbreakers – A tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, bringing you all the hits and more!
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕗 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at The Green Hotel, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

📍 The Catch 22's – Ska punk storytelling with influences from Blondie, No Doubt, and more.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕗 8:00pm | 📍 The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Fife Brass Band Festival – Join the annual competition with 16 brass bands from Scotland and beyond, showcasing their musical and entertainment skills.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕘 9:30am | 📍 Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly | 🎟️ £10

📍 GUN: Tres Hombres Tour – Glasgow’s hard rock legends return with a tougher sound and a back-to-basics approach, live at P.J. Molloys.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 P.J. Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.50

📍 Rust For Glory – A tribute to Neil Young covering his electric and acoustic classics.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕗 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at The Green Hotel, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

📍 Pygmy Twylyte – A wild ride through the music of Frank Zappa with this acclaimed tribute band.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕑 2:00pm | 📍 Backstage at The Green Hotel, Kinross | 🎟️ £26.00

📍 Spear of Destiny – Post-punk pioneers led by Kirk Brandon bring their “Janus” tour to Dunfermline, reimagining classics from Outland & The Price You Pay.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 P.J. Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £24.75

📍 Arena – English neo-prog legends blend symphonic melodies with hard rock power in this two-night run.
📅 Mon, 28th & Tue, 29th April | 🕗 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at The Green Hotel, Kinross | 🎟️ £44.00

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 This Much I Know… – A conversation with renowned music supervisor Kathleen Wallfisch, exploring her journey from cellist to contracting musicians for major film productions like Napoleon and Gladiator 2.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕒 3:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

📍 Museum Talk on Suffragette Movement – Join a fascinating talk on the suffragette movement and how Theresa Billington and her colleagues took their cause to Fife.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Crail Museum and Heritage Centre, Crail | 🎟️ £5

📍 This Much I Know… with Kharmel Cochrane – Award-winning Casting Director Kharmel Cochrane shares her insights into the world of casting, from independent films to major blockbusters.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕐 1:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

📍 This Much I Know… with Dominic Hughes – Join AI expert and Apple veteran Dominic Hughes for an insightful conversation about algorithms, machine learning, and AI's role in enhancing creativity.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕓 4:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

📍 An Afternoon with… Dame Joanna Lumley – Join the BAFTA Fellow and award-winning actor for a heartfelt conversation with journalist Wendy Mitchell.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕔 5:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £16

📍 Alan Bissett: The Moira Trilogy – Experience all three of Alan Bissett’s acclaimed monologues about Moira Bell, Falkirk’s hardest woman.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £23

📍 Holding the Door Open – Join Frank E. Flowers, the Russo Brothers, and Angela Russo-Otstot for an in-depth conversation hosted by Edith Bowman.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £16

📍 42: An Evening with Kevin Jon Davies – Discover the wildly improbable ideas of Douglas Adams in this unique talk.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕛 7:30pm | 📍 Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £10

📍 Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons – The beloved comedian returns with his new live stand-up show full of sharp observational humour and big laughs.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £39.40

🎬 Entertainment

📍 No Other Land – A powerful Oscar-winning documentary following Palestinian and Israeli activist-journalists as they document the struggle against forced displacement in Masafer Yatta.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕓 4:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12

📍 Mickey 17 – Sci-fi thriller starring Robert Pattinson as a disposable clone sent on perilous space missions, where one death isn’t the end… until it is.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 The Ballad of Wallis Island – A heartwarming new comedy-drama where a lottery winner hires his favourite folk duo to reunite for a private concert on his remote island.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £16

📍 Meadowfest – Relax around the campfire with live music, games, and stargazing at St Andrews Botanic Garden.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕗 8:00pm | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden, St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

📍 The Wild Robot – Oscar-nominated animated adventure where a robot finds friendship and survival on a remote island.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 The King’s, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

📍 Two Strangers Trying Not To Kill Each Other – A married couple reflects on life, ageing, and the changes it brings in this contemplative documentary.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12

📍 Walk ON at Kirkcaldy Galleries – Join a casual walk around the local area followed by a chat about books, exhibitions, or anything else!
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Witches – A hypnotic exploration of feminine power, folklore, and rebellion, blending myth with reality.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕑 2:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12

📍 Fibres of a Memory – A creative collaboration exploring Alzheimer's through science, art, and poetry. Join Natalie Kormos for a talk on her book and the journey behind it.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕑 2:00pm | 📍 St Andrews Library, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Spirits of the Palace: After Hours Tours – Embark on an exclusive, spine-chilling tour of Culross Palace.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕛 5:00pm | 📍 Culross Palace, Culross | 🎟️ £25

📍 Holy Cow – Carefree Totone's wild youth collides with responsibility as he strives to craft the best Comté cheese and secure a future for his sister.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕗 8:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12

📍 Fife Bus Bundle – A fun, transport-filled day for all ages, with bus and train rides, vehicle displays, and more!
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Fife Heritage Railway, Leven | 🎟️ Entry: £2, Adult Train Ticket: £6

📍 Foraging for Real Beginners – Join a family-friendly foraging walk and discover edible plants, their health benefits, and sustainable foraging practices.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕛 10:30am | 📍 Dovecot Park, Aberdour | 🎟️ £25

📍 Out of My Mind – A heartwarming coming-of-age drama about Melody Brooks, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, who proves her untapped potential when given the opportunity to participate in mainstream education.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £8

📍 Write ON at Kirkcaldy Galleries – A friendly creative writing group for amateur writers! Join for prompts, exercises, and inspiration from the Galleries’ collection.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕧 12:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Yasmeen’s Element – A young girl embarks on a search for her lost homework, uncovering a deeper journey through the challenges of her rural Pakistani village.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕑 2:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12

📍 Black Box Diaries – A powerful, personal documentary by Shiori Ito exploring digital surveillance and online privacy.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕔 5:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12

📍 Tornado – A bold reinvention of the samurai tradition from Fife-born director John Maclean, starring Kōki, Jack Lowden & Tim Roth.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕗 8:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £16

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Abbey Kids: A Creative Space for Children – A free, creative group for children and their carers, featuring hands-on fun and themed activities.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕓 4:00pm | 📍 Dunfermline Abbey Church Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug at Kirkcaldy Galleries – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers! Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Sat, 26th & Mon, 28th April | 🕑 10:30am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug at Rothes Halls – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers! Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Mon, 28th April | 🕑 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Dunfermline Cocktail Week – Enjoy £5 cocktails and exclusive deals at 25 venues across Dunfermline!
📅 Fri, 25th April - Sun, 4th May | 🕖 9:00am - 11:45pm | 📍 Dunfermline | 🎟️ £9.95

📍 Baern Spring Dinner – A seasonal, laid-back dinner featuring a locally sourced a-la-carte menu, from starters to desserts, complemented by natural wines, craft beers, and more.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕡 6:30pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Whisky Tasting – Enjoy an evening of single malt whisky tasting and support local charities.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕛 7:00pm | 📍 Culross Stables Community Hub, Culross | 🎟️ Donation

🛒 Markets

📍 Artisan Fridays Market – A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕘 9:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Rosyth Community Market – Enjoy a fantastic day of local shopping, delicious food, and family-friendly activities.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕙 10:30am | 📍 Parkgate Community Centre, Rosyth | 🎟️ Free

📍 Falkland Estate Monthly Makers and Producers Market – Enjoy browsing a variety of locally-produced goods, food, and crafts.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 The Stables, Falkland Estate, Falkland | 🎟️ Free

📍 Culross Community Market – Enjoy a fantastic day of local shopping, delicious food, and live music in the historic village of Culross.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 Culross Green, Culross | 🎟️ 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

📍 Lynne Muir: Photography Exhibition – Discover stunning images of the natural world from local photographer Lynne Muir, featuring scenes from her recent trip to Antarctica and beautiful shoreline moments captured near the East Neuk.
📅 Tue, 1st – Sun, 27th April | 🕙 10am | 📍 The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther |🎟️ Free event

📍 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

📍 St Andrews Art Club Spring Exhibition & Sale – Explore and purchase a wide range of original artwork, from paintings to sketches, at this spring exhibition.
📅 Sat, 19th – Sun, 27th April | 🕒 Mon-Sat: 10am, Sun: 12pm | 📍 St Andrews Art Club, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

🧶 Arts & Crafts

📍 Life Drawing Anstruther – Join a friendly life drawing group at Dreel Hall, perfect for artists of all levels.
📅 Fri, 25th April | 🕡 6:45pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £7

📍 Sgraffito Ceramic Workshop – Learn the art of sgraffito on clay and create your own ceramic pieces.
📅 Sat, 26th April | 🕛 10:30am | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £115

📍 Mindful Art: Fluid Art for Mindfulness – Practice mindfulness through fluid art techniques.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕛 10:00am | 📍 58 Bonnygate Community Hub, Cupar | 🎟️ £30

📍 Sketching Workshop – Immerse yourself in the beauty of Kellie Castle while learning speed-sketching techniques.
📅 Sun, 27th April | 🕥 10:30am | 📍 Kellie Castle, Pittenweem | 🎟️ £45

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SPORTS

Fixtures

⚽ Raith Rovers vs Greenock Morton
📅 Sat, 26 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Dunfermline Athletic vs Airdrieonians
📅 Sat, 26 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Cove Rangers vs Kelty Hearts
📅 Sat, 26 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 1

⚽ Peterhead vs East Fife
📅 Sat, 26 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 2

Results

No recent results.

THANKS FOR READING

Hope you enjoyed this week's update! If you have anything you'd like to see covered next week, just let me know.

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!