🏝️ Fife's Busiest Beach Set for Biggest Upgrade in Years

Good morning, Fifers! What a cracking weekend of weather we’ve just had, I hope you all managed to get out and soak up some sun!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• 🌊 Fife Council Plans Improvements for Silver Sands Beach

• 🏒 New Company Registered to Take Over Fife Flyers

• 🎉 Happy Disco Finds a New Home at Rothes Halls in Glenrothes

• 🥧 Fife Businesses in the Running for Scottish Pie Awards

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

— Duncan

WEATHER

It’s looking wet for the next few days, but I think my garden could do with it. Here's the forecast:

Tuesday: 11 🌡️ 5 | 🌧️

Wednesday: 8 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

Thursday: 11 🌡️ 4 | 🌧️

Friday: 11 🌡️ 5 | 🌧️

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🌊 Fife Council Plans Improvements for Silver Sands Beach

Silver Sands beach in Aberdour is set to receive a major boost, with £400,000 allocated from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme. The funding aims to address the growing visitor numbers, especially during the busy summer months when the beach sees thousands of visitors daily. Councillor David Barratt announced that this funding could lead to an additional £750,000 from Visit Scotland’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The planned improvements include upgraded toilet facilities, a new play park, enhanced parking, motorhome facilities, and better wheelchair access to the beach.

Fife Council has recognized the strain on infrastructure due to the high volume of visitors, which has caused issues like illegal parking and overcrowded facilities. If further funding is secured, additional upgrades may include EV charging points, cycle racks, improved drainage, and accessible wooden ramps and stairs to the beach. The goal is to ensure that Silver Sands remains a top-quality, accessible destination for locals and visitors alike.[Dunfermline Press]

🏒 New Company Registered to Take Over Fife Flyers

A new company, Fife Flyers Ltd 2025, has been registered as part of the takeover process for the Fife Flyers ice hockey team. This development follows the retirement of long-time directors Tom Muir and Jack Wishart, who led the club for 28 years. The new company, with Thomas Dyer listed as the sole director, is expected to assume the club's EIHL franchise rights from the outgoing management.

This move comes after a challenging 2024-25 season, where the Flyers struggled, finishing tenth in the Elite League and facing turmoil, including a coaching change and player departures. Despite concerns about the club's future, the announcement of an agreement in principle with new owners has reassured fans. Details about the new owners have yet to be revealed, but the club’s statement promised fresh leadership and a commitment to building on the Flyers' legacy. [Fife Today]

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🛠️ Work is set to begin on restoring Dunfermline’s WW1 War Memorial on Monastery Street, with £195,000 funding approved. Repairs include stonework, plaques, railings, and more ahead of a centenary re-dedication on October 7, 2025. Plans are also in motion to restore the WW2 Memorial.

• 🎉 Local figures are urging plans to mark Dunfermline Abbey’s 900th anniversary in 2028, highlighting its historical and economic significance. Lord Bruce and MSP Murdo Fraser support the move, though the Abbey also faces a hefty £8m repair bill.

• 🔥 Firefighters tackled another blaze at Prestonhill Quarry in Inverkeithing on Sunday evening, marking the third incident at the site in just two weeks. Four vehicles were dispatched to the grass fire, which was safely extinguished with no reported injuries.

• 🩺 Four boys were seriously injured after being attacked by a gang of around 30 balaclava-clad youths near Pettycur Bay, Kinghorn, on Thursday.

• 💰 James Robb, owner of the popular East Pier Smokehouse in St Monans, says Fife Council’s decision to raise his annual ground rent from £1,800 to £8,000 could derail his plans to retire and sublease the restaurant. Robb accuses the council of driving out local businesses and is calling for public support to reverse the decision.

• 🚨 More than 3,000 violent incidents have been reported in Fife schools so far this year, topping all other council areas in Scotland. Fife Council says school safety is a top priority and is working with NHS and Police Scotland on prevention programmes.

• 🐶 Arrest made after a woman and her dog were injured in a dog attack in St Andrews. The incident occurred on March 30th, with the 78-year-old woman suffering minor injuries and her dog receiving treatment.

• 🏕️ New glamping plans for the former Muddy Boots site in Balmalcolm Den include 6 shepherds huts and 8 motorhome pitches. The eco-friendly site aims to offer peaceful, year-round accommodation for tourists.

• 🏋️‍♀️ A former Clydesdale Bank building in Leven will soon become a gym after councillors approved the conversion plans. The gym will offer classes, weight sessions, and personal training, breathing new life into the vacant space.

• 🥛 Golden milk bottles have been hidden around Kirkcaldy as part of Graham’s Dairy’s ‘Golden Easter Hunt.’ Find one and you could win a golden hamper!

• 🌳 Kirkcaldy firm, Akre, has planted more native woodland in 2023-2024 than Northern Ireland and Wales combined - over 1,100 hectares! The company’s carbon-negative tree nursery produces 7 million saplings annually, making a significant impact on biodiversity and climate resilience.

• 🧀 Must Be Crackers, a Dunfermline cheesemonger, has won two awards at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards! The shop, which opened in October 2023, was named Best Retailer: Other Specialist Retailer: Cheesemonger and received a Highly Commended for Newcomer of the Year for 2025.

AROUND FIFE

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

🎉 Happy Disco Finds a New Home at Rothes Halls in Glenrothes

Happy Disco, an inclusive disco event for adults with additional support needs and disabilities, has relocated to Rothes Halls in Glenrothes. The move follows the start of a £15 million regeneration project at Templehall Community Centre in Kirkcaldy, where the group previously held twice-weekly events.

Established in 2022, Happy Disco aims to provide a fun and welcoming space where attendees can enjoy music, make friends, and feel part of a community. The relocation was a challenge, with more than 80 venues considered before Rothes Halls was confirmed as the new location.

🥧 Scottish Pie Awards 2025: Four Fife Businesses Shortlisted for World Champion Title

Four much-loved Fife businesses have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, announced today. They are:

• Bayne’s The Family Bakers

• Fisher & Donaldson of Cupar

• Stuart’s Bakers and Butchers of Methil

• W F Stark of Buckhaven

These local favourites are among 88 of the UK’s top pie makers who submitted 539 products for rigorous judging by a panel of 50 experts. Entries were scored on taste, appearance, smell, and touch across multiple mouth-watering categories - including traditional Scotch pies, steak pies, sausage rolls, vegetarian options, and even new additions like Lighter Options and Retailer Pie Product of the Year.

The winners, including the coveted World Champion Scotch Pie, will be revealed at a ceremony on May 10 at the Hilton, Glasgow.

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by Jane Trail | Location: Scottish Deer Centre

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

✨ Featured Event

Hosting something fun in Fife? We'd love to include it! Just drop us a line at [email protected]

🎶 Live Music & Concerts

📍 The Matthew Bason Show – A one-man musical journey through the decades with Yamaha Brand Ambassador Matthew Bason, featuring 50s–present day hits, West-End classics, Scottish tunes, and party anthems.
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕖 7:00 pm | 📍 Salvation Army Community Church, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 The Shoregate Session Nights – A traditional session night with tunes and songs, from ancient to modern. Bring an instrument or just enjoy the music.
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 The Shoregate, Crail | 🎟️ Free

📍 Northern Live: Do I Love You – A full-throttle Northern Soul experience featuring an 11-piece band and four vocalists performing 30+ classic floor-fillers from the golden age of soul.
📅 Thu, 17th April | 🕢 7:30 pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £26.50

📍 John Power: Cast, The La’s, and Me – Iconic Britpop hits, heartfelt stories, and a relaxed evening of music and chat.
📅 Thu, 17th Apr | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £26.50

📍 Fuktivano – A heavy night of live music presented by Kingdom Come Events.
📅 Fri, 18th April | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 The King's, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 Celeste: Piano Tour – An intimate night with Celeste as she performs new music and supports grassroots venues across the UK.
📅 Fri, 18th April | 🕖 7:00 pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Of Ballades, Fables, and Legend – A dynamic song cycle composed by Jobim Ffrench and Alexis Ffrench, bringing to life characters from myth and folklore. Featuring award-winning pianist Zach Brandman and a stellar lineup of vocalists.
📅 Fri, 18th April | 🕔 8:00 pm | 📍 Laidlaw Music Centre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £8

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Wizard of Oz: Easter Panto – Follow the Yellow Brick Road this Easter in a magical, laugh-out-loud pantomime version of the classic tale, packed with songs, dances, and fun for all the family.
📅 Fri, 18th April | 🕑 2:00pm & 6:00pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £22

📍 The Greatest Show on Earth – Step right up for a night of dazzling dance as the University of St Andrews Dance Club presents circus-inspired performances in their annual showcase.
📅 Fri, 18th – Sat, 19th April | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £12

📍 Frankie Stein – A darkly comic, sci-fi play with songs exploring gender, power, and technology.
📅 Fri, 18th – Sat, 19th April | 🕢 7:30 pm (Fri) & 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm (Sat) | 📍 Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly | 🎟️ Pay what you choose

📍 In the Name of Love: The Diana Ross Story – A chronological history of Diana Ross' legendary career, from The Supremes to her iconic solo work.
📅 Fri, 18th April | 🕢 7:30 pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £29.50

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Billy Elliot: 25th Anniversary Screening – Celebrate 25 years of this beloved British classic about breaking barriers and following dreams.
📅 Wed, 16th Apr | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

📍 Captain America: Brave New World – Sam Wilson takes on the mantle of Captain America in this action-packed adventure!
📅 Wed, 16th Apr | 🕝 2:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 Writing for Ukrainian Children in Wartime – Discover how Ukrainian authors, illustrators, and publishers are creating powerful, trauma-informed children's books in response to war, in conversation with Dr Emily Finer and Viktoriia Medvied.
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕡 6:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Dunimarle Castle Guided Tour – Explore restored castle rooms and chapel while learning the story of Magdalene Erskine. Includes access to gardens, nature walk, and edible wall.
📅 Thu, 17th April | 🕚 11:00am & 2:00pm | 📍 Dunimarle Castle, Culross | 🎟️ £11.55

📍 Game ON at Kirkcaldy Galleries – Join the casual gaming club for a fun, friendly atmosphere with a variety of games, from quick rounds to epic sessions. No booking required, just drop in and enjoy!
📅 Thu, 17th April | 🕔 5:00pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 St Andrews Heritage Tour – Step back in time and explore the East End of St Andrews with knowledgeable local guides. Discover hidden gems, historic sites like the Castle, Cathedral, and Harbour, and hear the stories of the people who shaped the town.
📅 Fri, 18th April | 🕦 11:30am | 📍 War Memorial, Gregory Lane, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10

📍 Sylvanian Families: The Movie – Freya the Chocolate Rabbit faces challenges to create the perfect gift for her mother during the annual Star Festival!
📅 Fri, 18th Apr | 🕑 2:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Last Breath – A heart-pounding, true story of deep-sea divers racing against time to rescue a trapped crewmate.
📅 Fri, 18th Apr | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Easter Fun at the Scottish Fisheries Museum – Enjoy relaxed Easter activities with Jen and Kipper the Cat at the museum in Anstruther!
📅 Sun, 6th - Mon, 21st April | 🕘 10:00am | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

📍 Planet Botanic Holiday Club – Outdoor activities like den-building, wildlife spotting, and nature crafts at St Andrews Botanic Garden.
📅 Mon, 7th - Fri, 18th April | 🕘 8:45am (Mon-Fri) | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25

📍 Springtastic Holiday Fun: Bluey Event – Enjoy a Bluey-themed craft and story event for young fans of the popular show!
📅 Tue, 15th April | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Play on Wheels – A fun, free family play session with crafts, songs, and story time!
📅 Tue, 15th April | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug at Burntisland Library – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers! Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕑 10:30am | 📍 Burntisland Library, Burntisland | 🎟️ 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.
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕑 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

📍 Springtastic Holiday Fun: Bluey Event – Enjoy a Bluey-themed craft and story event for young fans of the popular show!
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Cupar Library, Cupar | 🎟️ Free

📍 Springtastic Holiday Fun: Bluey Event – Enjoy a Bluey-themed craft and story event for young fans of the popular show!
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Dulloch Library, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Springtastic Holiday Fun: Bluey Event – Enjoy a Bluey-themed craft and story event for young fans of the popular show!
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕚 2:30pm | 📍 Kincardine Library, Kincardine | 🎟️ Free

📍 Kirkcaldy Links Market – Europe’s longest street fair with 30 adult rides and 80+ for kids.
📅 Wed, 16th – Mon, 21st April | 🕐 Varies daily | 📍 Kirkcaldy Waterfront, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Unearthed: Viking Swords – Make your own sword and add a coded message in Viking runes!
📅 Thu, 17th Apr | 🕥 10:30am | 📍 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, 17th April | 🕒 3:30pm | 📍 Dalgety Bay Library, Dalgety Bay | 🎟️ £2

📍 Easter Eggsplorer Trail – Follow the clues to figure out which bird is missing from the spring party at Aberdour Castle and earn a chocolatey reward!
📅 Fri, 18th - Mon, 21st Apr | 🕒 9:30am | 📍 St Andrews Castle, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10

📍 Hill of Tarvit Easter Egg Trail – Follow the trail around the beautiful grounds, solve the puzzle, and earn a chocolaty reward!
📅 Fri, 18th - Sun, 20th Apr | 🕒 10am | 📍 Hill of Tarvit, Cupar | 🎟️ £5

📍 Kellie Castle & Garden Easter Egg Trail – Follow the trail around the beautiful grounds, solve the puzzle, and earn a chocolaty reward!
📅 Fri, 18th - Sun, 20th Apr | 🕒 10am | 📍 Kellie Castle, Pittenweem | 🎟️ £5

📍 Culross Palace Easter Egg Trail – Follow the trail around the beautiful grounds, solve the puzzle, and earn a chocolaty reward!
📅 Fri, 18th - Mon, 21st Apr | 🕒 10am | 📍 Culross Palace, Culross | 🎟️ £5

📍 Easter Eggsplorer Trail – Follow the clues to figure out which bird is missing from the spring party at Aberdour Castle and earn a chocolatey reward!
📅 Fri, 18th - Mon, 21st Apr | 🕒 10:30am | 📍 Aberdour Castle, Aberdour | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 Falkland Palace Easter Egg Trail – Follow the trail around the beautiful grounds, solve the puzzle, and earn a chocolaty reward!
📅 Fri, 18th - Sun, 20th Apr | 🕒 11am | 📍 Falkland Palace, Falkland | 🎟️ £5

🥗 Food & Drink

🛒 Markets

📍 Artisan Fridays Market – A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📅 Fri, 18th April | 🕘 9:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

🎨 Exhibitions

📍 Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from Scotland’s Mining Communities – Explore the impact of coal mining through powerful photography and personal stories from Scottish mining communities.
📅 Sat, 7th December – Sun, 20th April | 🕒 10:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 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

📍 Hayley Matthews: Believe – A free solo exhibition of vibrant landscapes, dreamy forests, and whimsical meadows by self-taught artist Hayley Matthews.
📅 Wed, 16th April | 🕘 10:00am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ 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, 15th & Thu, 17th April | 🕑 7pm (Tue) & 2pm (Thu) | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

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SPORTS

Fixtures

No fixtures in the next few days.

Results

⚽ Raith Rovers 1-1 Airdrieonians
📅 Sat, 12 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Queen’s Park 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic
📅 Sat, 12 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Inverness CT 0-2 Kelty Hearts
📅 Sat, 12 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 1

⚽ Bonnyrigg Rose 0-2 East Fife
📅 Sat, 12 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 2

🏉 Preston Lodge 47-47 Kirkcaldy
📅 Sat, 12 April | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 National League 2

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!