🏠 Fife's Housing Crisis: Council Redirects £1M – But Is It Enough?

Good morning, Fifers! With the days getting longer and the promise of spring on the horizon, there’s plenty happening across Fife, from important updates to exciting community events.

Here’s what’s coming your way:

• 🏡 Fife Council redirects funds to tackle housing crisis

• 🏥 Victoria Hospital receives positive follow-up after concerns

• 🏗️ Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall gets £10M investment for improvements

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

— Duncan

WEATHER

The chilly weather continues, and there could even be some frost overnight. Here's the forecast:

Friday: 8 🌡️ 0 | 🌤️

Saturday: 8 🌡️ 1 | 🌤️

Sunday: 9 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

Monday: 7 🌡️ 1 | ☁️

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🏡 Fife Council Redirects Resettlement Funds to Tackle Housing Crisis

Fife Council will use £1 million originally meant for refugee resettlement to buy homes and reduce long-term empty properties. While homelessness cases have dropped, 1,758 people remain on the waiting list. Labour and SNP councillors agree on building and buying homes but differ on priorities. The council has already added 254 new affordable homes and plans to buy 20 more this year. Officials say buying homes is challenging, with 10 rejected for every 1 accepted, often due to poor conditions. Modular homes and repurposing buildings were considered but deemed costly.

🏥 Victoria Hospital Receives Positive Follow-Up After Concerns

Inspectors returned to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for a follow-up after concerns were raised in 2023. The inspection found improvements in patient care and staff support, though there are still 12 areas requiring attention. NHS Fife is implementing an action plan to address the remaining issues and ensure continued progress. The hospital’s management team remains committed to making the necessary changes to meet the required standards.

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏡 Lochgelly housing plans approved despite opposition from the local community council, which fears strain on services. Developers must contribute to school expansion and transport upgrades as part of the deal.

• 🎭 Fife Council invests £10m in Dunfermline's Carnegie Hall to sustain the historic venue, with potential for a community cinema. A feasibility study will guide improvements, ensuring the hall remains a key cultural hub.

• 🏛 Petition launched to save Culross Abbey! With the Church of Scotland planning to sell the historic site, locals are pushing for community ownership to preserve it for future generations.

• 🏗️ 20,000 bricks donated to Fife College’s new Dunfermline campus! Persimmon Homes' contribution will help construction students develop hands-on skills. The net-zero-ready campus opens later this year!

• ♻️ Concerns grow over 30-foot carpet waste pile in Lathalmond. The rotting carpets & plasterboard, abandoned since 2012, may pose an environmental risk. SEPA insists no contamination has been detected, but locals remain skeptical. Site set for clearance by 2030.

• ⚽ Cowdenbeath FC fundraising event raises £2,000! 🎉 Fans gathered at Wee Jimmies for a race night organized by the Cowdenbeath Independent Supporters Society. The event saw huge community support, with former players, volunteers & sponsors contributing to the success.

• 🚶‍♂️ £500k St Andrews pavement extensions approved! Despite concerns over parking & fairness, councillors gave the green light to widen footpaths outside key South Street businesses. The project will replace temporary Covid-era structures with permanent Caithness stone designs.

• 🎶 Anstruther Harbour Festival Appeals for Public Support! The beloved Fife festival is seeking £4,000 via crowdfunding to ensure its 2025 event goes ahead. With past funding sources drying up, the charity behind the festival is asking the community to help keep activities free. Donations come with perks like ceilidh tickets & sponsor recognition for businesses.

• 🚨 Cowdenbeath Pharmacy Takeover! Gordons Chemists on Broad Street has been acquired by M&D Green Group as part of a deal adding nine Scottish pharmacies to the chain.

• ☀️ 27 solar panels approved for the roof of Younger Hall in St Andrews as part of the university's decarbonisation plan. Despite community council objections, the panels will only be visible from the top of St Rule’s tower, preserving the historic building's aesthetics and supporting renewable energy efforts.

AROUND FIFE

Each week, we highlight interesting places, hidden gems, and local experiences to explore.

🏅 Lochore Meadows Walk Named Most Accessible in the UK

The Lochore Meadows circular route in Fife has been recognized as the most accessible walk in the UK. Scoring an impressive 9.13 out of 10, the trail was selected by Millets in collaboration with disability charity Sense. They evaluated walks based on factors like terrain, gradient, and available resources for people with mobility challenges, including wheelchair users.

The 5.5km route offers a smooth tarmac path, minimal elevation, and ample accessible parking, making it perfect for those using mobility aids. Reviewers have praised its wide, hard surface, which is easy for wheelchairs to navigate.

🦚 Two New Peahens Join Pittencrieff Park’s Peafowl Family

Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline has welcomed two Indian Blue peahens named Ruby and Sapphire to their aviary. The two-year-old sisters were adopted after their previous owners could no longer allow them to roam freely. Currently housed in a separate medished area, Ruby and Sapphire will soon join the other peacocks and peahens in the main aviary. The goal is to eventually release them into the park after a few months in the aviary.

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by Kristaupright | Location: Kingsbarns

📸 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

🎶 Live Music & Concerts

📍 Rudebeard Live at PJ Molloys – Don't miss Rudebeard, the ska band known for their electrifying live performances.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £10

📍 John Anaya and Marrakesh Acoustic Live! – Enjoy lively, upbeat covers and original music with John Anaya and Mark "Marrakesh" Burdette at The Harbour Bar.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕗 8:30pm | 📍 The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Mike Clerk and Davey Horne Double Bill – A live music extravaganza featuring alternative rock and American singer-songwriter artistry!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕡 6:45pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £19

📍 Pride of Ireland: St Patrick’s Day Show – A fabulous night of Irish music, fun, and craic featuring Ireland's top performers, including Mike Denver!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £30

📍 The Magic of the Bee Gees – A spectacular tribute to the Bee Gees, featuring hits like "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever" with stunning light and video show!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £31.50

📍 Darren McElvar Solo Acoustic – Enjoy pub tunes and classic songs from the talented guitarist and singer, Darren McElvar, in this exciting solo performance!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕗 8:30pm | 📍 The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Encore: Parisian Cafe Music is Back in Crail – Enjoy a delightful afternoon with Les Trois Blondes, Scotland’s only Bal Musette band, playing classic Parisian cafe music.
📅 Sun, 16th March | 🕒 3:00pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall, Crail | 🎟️ £12

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Myra’s Story – A powerful, heart-wrenching Irish play about Myra McLaughlin, a homeless alcoholic living on the streets of Dublin.
📅 Fri, 13th - Sun, 15th March | 🕖 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £28

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Cheltenham Gold Cup Day – Join us for an exciting day of racing with a hospitality experience at Pratis Barns, featuring live coverage of Cheltenham races, a three-course lunch, and a local bookie for betting.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 Pratis Barns, Leven | 🎟️ £45

📍 W3L Workin' Man's Wrestling - Kelty – Live wrestling action featuring top stars from around the world, with matches filmed for the popular YouTube series W3L Wrestling Showdown.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕡 6:30pm | 📍 Kelty & Blairadam Ex-Servicemen's Club, Kelty | 🎟️ £13.70

📍 The French Connection – A tribute to Gene Hackman’s Oscar-winning performance as NYC detective Popeye Doyle.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 The King's, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

📍 John Barrowman: Laid Bare – Join renowned actor, singer, and entertainer John Barrowman for a solo show filled with music, stories, and laughter.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £30

📍 Spring Wildlife Walk in Rosyth – Join a guided walk to spot springtime wildlife and learn about Rosyth’s freshwater and woodland habitats.
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Middlebank Street Car Park, Rosyth | 🎟️ Free

📍 Making a Wormery – Q&A – Learn about starting your own wormery and sustainable composting practices at Forgan Arts Centre!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 11:00am | 📍 Forgan Arts Centre, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ Free

📍 White-tailed Sea Eagle Talk – Learn about the local sea eagles from Richard Tough, a knowledgeable guide who was involved in the east coast WTSE release project.
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Larick Centre, Tayport | 🎟️ £5

📍 Matthew Phillips: South Georgia: An Antarctic Island Paradise – Join photographer Matthew Phillips as he shares his incredible journey of four years on South Georgia with the British Antarctic Survey!
📅 Mon, 17th March | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £15

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Dunnikier Community Tree Planting – Help plant a mix of young and established trees in Dunnikier Park to increase canopy cover and support local wildlife.
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Dunnikier Park, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Kellie Castle Opening Weekend – Explore the castle, its history, and the spring blooms in the walled garden. Enjoy the new tea room menu and outdoor picnic options.
📅 Sat, 15th - Sun, 16th March | 🕙 10:00am - 5:00pm | 📍 Kellie Castle, Pittenweem | 🎟️ £13.50

📍 Tree Walk Adventure: Cameron Bridge to Leven – Explore the Leven Valley, discover fascinating facts about trees, and enjoy a family-friendly walk!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Cameron Bridge Railway Station, Cameron Bridge | 🎟️ Free

📍 Free Storytelling for Kids – Join Owen Pilgrim for an engaging storytelling session, part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund OPEN WEEK 2025!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 10:30am & 12:30pm | 📍 Queens Hall, Charlestown | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Very Hungry Caterpillar – A vibrant stage adaptation of Eric Carle’s beloved books, featuring over 75 magical puppets. Perfect for introducing children to live theatre with four enchanting stories.
📅 Sun, 16th March | 🕑 2:00pm & 4:00pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £12 (Child), £14 (Adult), £46 (Family)

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Taste Fife's Best at Silverburn Park – Enjoy a special menu featuring the finest local produce, including Silverburn Skink, the Kingdom Royale toastie, and honey & salted-almond scones.
📅 Sat, 8th – Sun, 16th March | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Silverburn Park, Leven | 🎟️ £10

📍 Kingsbarns Distillery Whisky & Food-Pairing Tour – A special Fife Food & Drink Week experience pairing award-winning whiskies with locally-inspired canapés.
📅 Sat, 8th March – Sun, 16th March | 🕒 3:00pm | 📍 Kingsbarns Distillery & Visitor Centre | 🎟️ £38

📍 St Andrews Cocktail Week 2025 – Enjoy discounted cocktails, meals, and exclusive offers across St Andrews while supporting local businesses.
📅 Fri, 14th - Sun, 23rd March | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 St Andrews | 🎟️ £12.95

📍 Scottish Pub Pop Up 2025 – Celebrate Fife Food and Drink with an 8-course tasting menu of Scottish pub classics, featuring incredible local suppliers.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Coorie by the Coast, Limekilns | 🎟️ £81.96

📍 Cupar Market – Explore a variety of independent producers, fresh produce, food, handmade crafts, and local Scottish goods.
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Crossgate, Cupar | 🎟️ Free

📍 Fife College Food and Drink Festival 2025 – A family-friendly festival with cooking demos, workshops, tastings, street food, and more!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Fife College, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 On the Rocks Seaweed Experience – Immerse yourself in nature and learn about the edible treasures of the East Neuk coastline. Forage fresh seaweed and enjoy a hands-on culinary adventure, preparing and savoring a five-course tasting menu cooked over an open flame.
📅 Sun, 16th March | 🕘 9:00am | 📍 Kingsbarns Beach Carpark, St Andrews | 🎟️ £68.90

📍 Dunfermline City Artisan Market – Explore handmade crafts, local produce, and delicious treats from talented artisans.
📅 Sun, 16th March | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 St Catherine's Wynd, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Larick Centre Food Festival – Embark on a culinary adventure with local food and drink traders, communal dining, and food workshops. Discover fresh produce from the community garden and learn some growing tips!
📅 Sun, 16th March | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Larick Centre, Tayport | 🎟️ Free

🎨 Art

📍 Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 – A stunning collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces, at Affordable Arts!
📅 Tue, 4th Mar - 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 2025 | 🕙 Various times | 📍 Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition – Explore an inspiring exhibition showcasing 25 panels that highlight a vision for a sustainable future, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
📅 Mon, 10th – Sun, 16th March | 🕒 10:00am | 📍 Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Raku and Alternative Firings – Experience the art of Raku firing with Heather Gilbert, including western style glaze firings, naked raku, and more at Forgan Arts Centre!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕙 9:30am | 📍 Forgan Arts Centre, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £95

📍 Curator’s Tour - Collecting the Contemporary, Kirkcaldy Galleries – Join Collections Curator Lily Barnes for an in-depth tour of modern and contemporary art, featuring works by Bellany, Currie, Innes, and Watt!
📅 Sat, 15th March | 🕦 11:30am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

SPORTS

Fixtures

⚽ Raith Rovers vs Dunfermline Athletic
📅 Fri, 14 March | 🕒 19:45 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Stenhousemuir vs Kelty Hearts
📅 Sat, 15 March | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 1

⚽ East Fife vs Stranraer
📅 Sat, 15 March | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 2

🏒 Fife Flyers vs Belfast Giants
📅 Sat, 15 March | 🕒 19:15 | 🏆 Elite Ice Hockey League

🏒 Nottingham Panthers vs Fife Flyers
📅 Sun, 16 March | 🕒 16:00 | 🏆 Elite Ice Hockey League

Results

⚽ Kelty Hearts 0-4 Cove Rangers
📅 Tue, 11 March | 🕒 19:45 | 🏆 League 1

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!