🧭 Fife's Festival Season is Here!

Good morning, Fifers! Fife’s summer festival season is in full swing, and in today’s newsletter, we’ve put together a handy guide to all the must-see festivals coming up over the next couple of months.

Here’s what else is coming your way today:

• Fife Butcher Wins Scotland’s Best Pork Sausage

• 30% of P7 Pupils in Fife Can't Swim

• Summer Festival Season is Here

• 65 Events to Enjoy This Weekend

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🏊‍♂️ Fife Council Looks at Swimming Lessons for School Kids

Nearly 30% of P7 pupils in Fife can't swim, and with no legal requirement or budget for lessons, Fife Council is exploring solutions. Councillors on the Education Scrutiny Committee have discussed five possible options to help primary school children learn this vital life skill.

Led by Cllr Kathleen Leslie, a working group has been reviewing the time, cost, and facility availability for swimming provision, with support from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. The options will now go to the Cabinet Committee for further discussion. [Fife Council]

🥇 Fife Butcher Wins Scotland’s Best Pork Sausage – Again!

Fife is already known for its great butchers, and now it’s official. Tom Courts Quality Foods in Burntisland has claimed the Scottish Pork Sausage Champion 2025 title for a record-breaking third time at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair in Perth. Competing against over 60 independent butchers, owner Tom Courts wowed the judges with his handmade pork links, made from his father’s original recipe with a “wee secret twist.”

Having previously won in 2011 and 2013, Courts described the latest victory as “wonderful” and said the whole team is “absolutely delighted.” The shop sells around 300 kilos of these award-winning sausages every week. Judges praised the exceptional quality, with Scottish Craft Butchers’ Gordon King calling the third championship “outstanding.” [Scottish Craft Butchers]

🧭 Want to help keep Fife Insider going? Join Fife Insider+ to support us and enjoy extended event outlooks every Sunday, exclusive giveaways, and more!

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🚗 Kirkcaldy’s Esplanade multistorey car park will close from 25 May for a structural survey, with alternative parking available nearby.

• 🇺🇸 St Andrews has been dubbed mini-Nantucket, with 1 in 5 students at the university now coming from the US.

• 🚶‍♂️ A 3,500-strong Orange Lodge parade will take place in Kirkcaldy on 28 June, causing road closures from noon to 4pm; businesses remain open.

• 🏛️ The Wolfson Foundation denies claims it nearly pulled a £2m donation to St Andrews University over the rector’s Gaza comments, contradicting principal Dame Sally Mapstone’s account to an inquiry.

• 🍻 Leven’s Scoonie Tavern is closing less than six months after reopening, despite a £500k refurb by Heineken’s Star Pubs & Bars; owners thanked locals for their support.

• 🎗️ Dunfermline teen Ryan Quinn urged the Scottish Parliament to improve support for families facing childhood cancer, inspired by the loss of his best friend Aaron Murphy. Ministers have committed to reviewing his proposals.

• 🎆 Inverkeithing could become Fife’s first Fireworks Control Zone as Cllr David Barratt pushes for restrictions. Backed by Inverkeithing Community Council, the proposal would ban public firework use, even in gardens.

• 🎬 Fife filmmakers Ian Gordon and Sandy Henderson wowed Cannes crowds in kilts as they promoted their new fantasy film The Gudeman. The pair from Square Go Films attended the 78th Cannes Film Festival, networking with distributors and soaking up praise for their Highland-set adventure.

• 🏰 Ambitious plans to redevelop Crail Airfield into a holiday hub with hotel and event space have been refused on appeal due to road safety concerns and lack of alternative access.

• ⛳ 14,547 Scottish golfers applied for The Drive initiative, securing cut-price tee times at St Andrews’ historic courses; 44 players tee off on the Old Course for just £42.50 each, with plans to expand the scheme in 2026.

AROUND FIFE

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

🎉 Fife Festival Season is Here

While Edinburgh often steals the spotlight with its world-famous Fringe Festival, Fife has plenty of fantastic festivals of its own. Indeed, with the Beach of Dreams festival wrapping up this weekend with its lively Beach Ceilidh, and the Lochore Walking Festival having just finished, Fife’s Festival Season is already in full swing. But don’t worry, there’s plenty still to come!

From cultural celebrations like the Crail Festival to showcasing local farming traditions at the Fife Show, there’s truly something for everyone. Here’s a taste of what’s coming up over the next couple of months. And of course, we’ll be highlighting each one again in future newsletters so you won’t miss a thing!

🏖️ Beach of Dreams - Coastal arts festival activating and exploring the unique heritage, cultures and futures of our coastlines.
📅 Wed, 14th - Sat, 24th May | 🔗 Details

🐑 The Fife Show 2025 - Animal show classes, horse jumping, pet shows, ferret racing, pipe bands, and more.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🔗 Details

🛥️ Anstruther Harbour Festival - Fun-filled family festival with music, food, games, and more.
📅 Fri, 30th May - Sun, 1st June | 🔗 Details

🥳 Lang Toun Fest 2025 - Culture, art, history, music, food, family-friendly activities, and community projects throughout June.
📅 Fri, 30th May - Sat, 5th July | 🔗 Details

⚔️ The Robert the Bruce Festival 2025 - Celebrate the life and times of King Robert the Bruce, Scotland's legendary hero.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sun, 1st June | 🔗 Details

🎸 Silverburn Festival 2025 - Weekend music event surrounded by trees within the beautiful grounds of Silverburn Park.
📅 Fri, 20th - Sat, 21st June | 🔗 Details

🎼 East Neuk Festival - A Festival celebrating music in the East Neuk.
📅 Thu, 26th - Sun, 29th June | 🔗 Details

🥘 Afro-Caribbean Festival - Live music, cultural performances, and local foods.
📅 Sat, 5th July | 🔗 Details

🎊 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 | 🔗 Details

🪅 Aberdour Festival - Festival blending tradition with fun. Expect live music, local art, beach events, races, and even sandcastle competitions.
📅 Fri, 25th July - Sun, 3rd August | 🔗 Details

🤘 Rockore - Full day of live acts in a beautiful setting. Bands this year include The Skids, Midge Ure, Parka Life, and more.
📅 Sat, 23rd August | 🔗 Details

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by Fife Insider

📸 Share your photos of Fife with us! Tag @thefifeinsider and you could be featured in the next edition.

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

📍 Spring into Summer - Annual event in memory of former Fire Station Creative Director Bob Moir.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13.70

📍 The John and Tyra Show - Award Winning Singer-Songwriter John Anaya and Kirkcaldy Rockstar Singer Tyra Power Reekie.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 8:30pm | 📍 Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Johnny Lee Memphis as Elvis - Elvis Presley tribute artist.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 9:00pm | 📍 The Duchess, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 Handle With Care - Fife based acoustic guitar duo.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Gilvenbank Hotel | 🎟️ Free

📍 PG Ciarletta - Distinctive vocals, relatable inner-city folktale lyrics, rousing anthems, and cheeky charm.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12

📍 Dunfermline Choral Union Summer Concert - Relaxed and informal evening of pop, swing and easy listening classics.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 The Vine Conference Centre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £16/14

📍 Sean Sneddon - A set packed with original tunes and high-energy covers. From the golden sounds of Elvis to the anthems of Oasis.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Mashed DJ Spliff and Scuba Steve DJ Night - Monthly resident DJ's Spliff Richards and Scuba Steves eclectic night of genre jumping joy!
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 8:30pm | 📍 Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Stephen Considine - Fife local playing acoustic covers.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 8:30pm | 📍 The Foresters Arms, Aberdour | 🎟️ Free

📍 Sinkys Reunion - All day music event reuniting the incredible musicians who played at the legendary Sinkys jam night.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 Royal British Legion, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £10

📍 Drew Henderson Guitar Recital - Special lunchtime concert as part of St Andrews GuitarFest.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 Laidlaw Music Centre, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bynofest - 12 artists over 12 hours, numerous headline acts and a journey through genres.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 The Brasshouse, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £15

📍 Model Worker with Sons of Chance - Early evening of rock.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Shrek the Musical - Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure!
📅 Wed, 21st May - Sat, 24th May | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £19

📍 Blinded By The Light - A story of survival, of beliefs tested, of spirit and endurance, growing up, and finding the light.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £17

📍 Karen Dunbar - Chewin' The Fat star Karen Dunbar is back with her brand new 2025 Scottish Tour.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 9:30pm | 📍 Markinch Town Hall | 🎟️ £25

📍 Stuart Mitchell: Tips Not Included - You’ve seen him online and now you can see him on his first ever national UK tour.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 4:00pm & 8:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £20

📍 Machinal - Pulse-pounding journey of someone pushed to breaking point by the relentless machinery of life.
📅 Sat, 24th - Thu, 29th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Fife College, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £9.38

📍 The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists - One-person version of the classic novel by Robert Tressell featuring projection, live music, and song.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Hunter Hall, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Donation

📍 Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works - Sensuous contemporary ballet meets the energy of musical theatre.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £20

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Beach of Dreams - Coastal arts festival activating and exploring the unique heritage, cultures and futures of our coastlines.
📅 Wed, 14th - Sat, 24th May | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Fife | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Fife VegFest Quiz Night - Fundraiser event at Betty Nicols, including quiz and raffle!
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Betty Nicols, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

📍 The Man Who Fell to Earth - An alien lands on Earth to find the one scientist who can save his species.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

📍 Charity Quiz Night - Entertaining family-friendly quiz night to raise funds for Guide Dogs Scotland.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Pathhead Parish Church, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12

📍 Disco for Grown Ups - Dance the night away to all the 70s, 80s and 90s classics you love.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £17.50

📍 The Fife Show 2025 - Animal show classes, horse jumping, pet shows, ferret racing, pipe bands, and more.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 9:00am | 📍 Kinloss | 🎟️ £16.22

📍 Forest Gardening Workshop - Forest gardening can be done in established woodlands or in small gardens or allotments.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 EATS Centenary Orchard Classroom, Rosyth | 🎟️ Free

📍 Turning Red - 13 year old Mei Lee juggles family expectations and hyperactive teenage hormones.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

📍 Walk ON - Casual and relaxing group promoting the health benefits of walking and socialising.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

📍 Snow White - Disney’s Snow White is a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

📍 Silent Disco Walk for Maggie’s Dundee - Join us as we take you on a journey of song and dance through the iconic town of St Andrews.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 The Dook, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

📍 Babe - Gentle farmer Arthur Hoggett wins a piglet named Babe at a county fair.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

📍 briSCA F1 Stock Cars - Pinnacle of oval racing with thunderous V8 Chevrolet engines competing on the 1/4 mile tri-oval circuit.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ £25

📍 Warfare - A visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern warfare.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 Scottish Ford Live - Ford-only track sessions during the Hot Hatch Track Day.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 9:00am | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ £18

📍 Gas Guzzler Automobile Show - Stunning classic cars from around the world, and the best of American motoring excess.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Cairnie Fruit Farm | 🎟️ £10

📍 Foraging, Forest Bathing & Art - Slow down, breathe deep, and connect with the natural world around you.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Falkland Estate | 🎟️ Free

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Leven Beach Clean - Help clean up your local beach.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 Leven Beach | 🎟️ Free

📍 Dunnikier Country Park Fayre - Come along and enjoy the bouncy castles and rides.
📅 Sat, 24th - Sun, 25th May | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 Dunnikier Park, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 Lego Play Day - Open throughout the day for families to get creative with Lego.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Running Day - Frequent steam/diesel hauled services as well as the usual activities.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Fife Heritage Railway, Leven | 🎟️ £6

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Mon, 26th May | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Woodmill Supper Club - Chef-hosted dining experience set in a cosy countryside cottage just outside Lindores.
📅 Fri, 23rd - Sat, 24th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Clare Cottage, Woodmill Farm | 🎟️ £65

📍 Preserve Making Masterclass - Seasonal preserve making masterclass based at The Jam Shack in the heart of the Fife.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Jam Shack, Knightsward Farm | 🎟️ £70

📍 Wild Cocktail Workshop - Foraging walk, exploring and identifying different edible plants, followed by mixing and tasting.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £65.63

📍 Aeble x Kinneucher Five Course Pairing - Five course meal paired with carefully selected ciders.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Kinneuchar Inn, Leven | 🎟️ £70

🛒 Markets

📍 Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📅 Fri, 23rd May | 🕢 9:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

📍 Wemyss Ware Fortieth Anniversary Pop-up Shop - Wemyss Ware pottery pop up shop to mark thw 40th anniversary.
📅 Sat, 24th - Sun, 25th May | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

📍 Equal Voice Craft & Wellness Fayre - Local artisans selling their creations, tombola & raffle, kids games, pop-up café, and more.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Brycedale Church, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Blackheart Market - Featuring talented traders and creators that captures the essence of the macabre.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Mercat Shopping Centre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Culross Community Market - Enjoy a fantastic day of local shopping, delicious food, and live music.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 Culross Green | 🎟️ Free

📍 Falkland Estate Monthly Market - Enjoy browsing the monthly Makers Market held in our beautiful and unique spaces here at the Stables.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 The Stables, Falkland Estate | 🎟️ Free

📍 Rosyth Community Market - Fabulous selection of stalls selling a huge variety of food, crafts and more!
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Parkgate Community Centre, Rosyth | 🎟️ 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

📍 Yolandé Kenny: Watercolours of Our Beautiful Fife Coast - Watercolours capturing the charm of Fife's coastline, from local wildlife to the ebb and flow of coastal life.
📅 Tue, 29th Apr - Wed, 28th May | 🕢 10am (Mon - Sat) & 11am (Sun) | 📍 The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

📍 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

📍 Willow Weaving Basketry - Make a round bread or fruit basket using a selection of Fife and Somerset willows.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Forgan's Art Centre, Ceres | 🎟️ £75

📍 Dotty Sheep Clay Therapy Workshop - Create from white earthenware clay and fired in our kiln and ready 3 weeks later to collect.
📅 Sat, 24th May | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Deborah Cameron Creative Artist Studio, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £68

📍 Spoon Carving with Louise Forbes - Spoon carving workshop with a small group of individuals who have a passion for crafting.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £76.47

📍 Write ON - Friendly and no-pressure creative writing group for amateur and unpublished writers.
📅 Sun, 25th May | 🕢 12:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Fife Insider+ members got these events two weeks early. Upgrade today to join them and get an extended event outlook every Sunday.

SPORTS

Fixtures

No upcoming fixtures.

Results

No recent results.

THANKS FOR READING

Thanks for reading Fife Insider today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes chocolate ice cream.

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!