🧭 Fife's Key Role in 35 Million Tree Plan

Good morning, Fifers!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Fife's Key Role in 35 Million Tree Plan

• Fife Flyers Controversy

• 28 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TODAY’S TOP STORY

🌲 Fife Climate Forest Part of Ambitious 35 Million Tree Plan

Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon praised plans to plant 35 million trees across central Scotland by 2035 at last week's Central Scotland Climate Forest Forum. Fife Climate Forest is one of four regional partnerships driving this reforestation effort, working to tackle climate change, reduce flooding and temperature extremes, and restore wildlife habitats across the central belt.

The Fife group is a partnership between Fife Council, Climate Action Fife, and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, with a strong focus on community involvement. Indeed, there are several ways to get involved, including regular community tree planting days held throughout the Kingdom, where thousands of trees can be planted in a short period of time when people come together. Other initiatives, such as tree adoption schemes, also help raise funds to support the project.

Our personal favourite initiative is the Fruit Tree for Every Garden in Fife campaign, and it couldn't be easier to take part. Simply show up to one of their fruit tree giveaway events (booking required) and take one home completely free, plant it in your garden, and enjoy free fruit for years to come, whilst also helping meet the tree planting goal. Check out the list of upcoming fruit tree events here, they are running throughout February and March.

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏌️‍♂️ St Andrews Links will host the 2026 PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a Disability on the Eden Course from April 30th to the 1st of May. Entry is now open until March 30th. For more details on how to enter, head here.

• 🎓 Fife College students, Freya Buckridge and Cain Paterson, have been awarded the 2026 George Lauder Bursary, securing a fully funded summer study opportunity in New York.

• 🦷 Access to NHS dentists in Fife is showing slight improvements, with three new practices opening since July 2025, including the latest in Glenrothes. Despite progress, over 7,600 residents were deregistered in 2025, and around 2,000 calls a month are still received by the Dental Advice Line.

• 🏭 The first Mossmorran Taskforce meeting was held to support workers and communities and discuss options for the £9m government funding. Possible plans focused on redundancy support, skills and retraining, a jobs fair, and plans for a green-energy-led future.

• 🏒 Fife Flyers caused controversy after only wearing rainbow Pride jerseys during warm-ups for the annual Pride match, citing respect for player beliefs. LGBTQ+ group The Hive Kirkcaldy rejected donations, leaving the game early. The Flyers have apologised.

• 🥣 Methil-based Nakey Bakey, run by Megan Murrie, has won Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites competition, earning a listing in stores across Fife. The granola brand, created to suit Megan’s nut allergy and endometriosis, previously won a Great Taste 2024 award and will launch in 2026.

• 🏥 NHS Fife is advancing implementation of the nationally agreed reduction in the NHS working week from 37.5 to 36 hours by April 2026, with no loss of pay, while prioritising staff wellbeing, patient safety and service sustainability.

• ⛳ Scottish Golf and St Andrews Links Trust have unveiled a new nationwide competition for under-18s with mid-to-high handicaps, offering a fun, developmental pathway that culminates in a grand final on the Eden and Strathtyrum Courses at St Andrews this October. Learn more here.

• 🏗️ Work is progressing well on Dunfermline City Square, a £1.65m project transforming the gap site between High Street and the bus station. The square will feature a lower event space for markets and performances, and an upper grassy terrace for informal recreation. Completion is expected in 2027.

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

Please remember to double-check details with venues before travelling, as events can occasionally be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice, and some will require prebooked tickets.

📅 Tuesday, 3rd February

Little Oaks Early Years Group - For families with little ones 5 & under, inspiring them to explore the outdoors together through play!
📁 Children | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden | 🎟️ £6

📅 Wednesday, 4th February

Restoration Forth Coastal Bird Survey - Join us for some training on bird species identification and survey techniques.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Beacon Leisure Centre, Burntisland | 🎟️ Free

The Olive and the Oak - Join us on a moving and joyful journey across the Middle East through stories, poetry, music, and dance.
📁 Talk | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £4+

Wednesday Night Slides - 1/10th scale Electric RWD Drift cars only, and must be running Buzz Break or DS Racing LF4 tyres.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Parkgate Community Centre, Rosyth | 🎟️ £5+

Laura Young: Talking Science and Taking Action - Environmental scientist Laura Young shares what she’s learned about bridging the gap between research and public understanding.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Dunfermline High School | 🎟️ £15

The Shoregate Session - Everything from traditional tunes through to songs ancient and modern.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 The Shoregate, Crail | 🎟️ Free

📅 Thursday, 5th February

The Tale of Silyan - A lonely farmer’s bond with an injured white stork intertwines with North Macedonian folklore.
📁 Movie | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6.50+

Cider Series - Part 3 of our 6-part series of talks and tastings featuring local Scottish Ciderists and Perry-makers.
📁 Drink | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Howe Beer Project, Balmalcolm Den | 🎟️ Free

The Tears of Nerakhis - Fantasy musical tells the story of human girl Calanthe who runs away to the mythical castle of the god Nerakhis.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £13+

One Battle After Another - Bob is a washed-up revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his daughter.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

February 2026 Breathwork - Connect with like-minded individuals in our breathwork community. No previous experience needed.
📁 Sport | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Givenbank Community Sports Hub | 🎟️ £11.55

Paper Sparrows - Alt-folk trio with twin-acoustic guitar style, finger-picking alongside harmonies and double bass.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £12.50

📅 Friday, 6th February

Creative Craft Club For Adults - Come and enjoy a regular Friday morning of creativity.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Letham Village Hall | 🎟️ £15

Tree Planting at Coul Den - Help plant 250 native tree species to benefit the local environment after the Back Burn river restoration project.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 Coul Reservoir, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

The Tears of Nerakhis: Pre-Show Panel - Conversation to examine the classical influences of Greek and Roman literature in the story.
📁 Talk | 🕢 5:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Cornfield Chase - Plus The Last Playground & Sha Rivari and The Maybes.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8

The Tears of Nerakhis - Fantasy musical tells the story of a human girl, Calanthe, who runs away to the mythical castle of the god Nerakhis.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £13+

Oh What A Night - Musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27

The Story of Soul - Climb aboard the Love Train for an unforgettable night packed with powerhouse performances.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £30+

Red Giant - Emerging blues rock band from the UK.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

Matt Scott - Classic soul and rock.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

🎉 Multi-Day Events & Exhibitions

From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity - Special preview evening filled with live music, drinks, and creative activities.
📅 Sat, 18th October - Sun, 15th February | 🕢 10am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum | 🎟️ Free

Winter Memory Postcards - Reflect on the feelings and memories of the winter holidays, the fleeting moments captured, as if on postcards to friends and family.
📅 Wed, 4th - Mon, 16th February | 🕢 10:30am - 4pm (closed Tuesdays) | 📍 St Andrews Heritage Museum | 🎟️ Museum Admission

Paul McGinty: Beneath The Surface - This body of work represents elements of Paul McGinty's ongoing research into the history of the Coal Mining Industry in Fife.
📅 Thu, 8th January - Fri, 27th February | 🕢 10am-4pm (Thu & Fri) | 📍 Adam Smith Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

Unveiling the Madonna - Discover the story behind the Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist, the oldest painting in our art collection.
📅 Sat, 8th November - Sat, 7th March | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum | 🎟️ Free

Scottish Snowdrop Festival 2026 - Visitors can enjoy our winter garden and specialist snowdrop collection and the swathes of naturalised snowdrops in our woodland walk to the sea.
📅 Sun, 25th January - Sun, 15th March | 🕢 10am | 📍 Cambo Country House and Estate | 🎟️ Varies

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 | 🕢 9:15am | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £17.50

Kirkcaldy Boot & Mart - Indoor and outdoor market held every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.
📅 Sat, 10th January - Wed, 16th December | 🕢 9am (Wed, Sat, & Sun) | 📍 6 Michelson Drive, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

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THANKS FOR READING

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Cheers,

Duncan