🧭 Fife Village Named Top Winter Destination

Good morning, Fifers!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Fife Village Named Top Winter Destination

• Help Shape Fife’s Spending Plans

• 64 Events to See This Weekend

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

— Duncan

TODAY’S TOP STORY

💰 Fifers Asked to Shape Council Spending Priorities

Fife Council is asking residents to have their say on spending priorities as it faces an estimated £5 million budget gap for 2026/27, rising to £36 million by 2028/29.

Last year, the council agreed a three-year budget that included an intention to increase council tax by 5% in 2026/27. However, current estimates suggest that without any other action, a 7.5% council tax rise would be needed to cover costs next year, though the final picture won't be clear until the Scottish Government announces its grant allocation in January.

An online consultation launching tomorrow will run for eight weeks, gathering views on how the council should prioritise spending, potential ways to save money, and the contribution council tax should make. The survey will be available until January 11th at www.fife.gov.uk/councilspending.

Alongside this, Fife Council is also running a survey for council housing tenants about their rent options, with three options for rent rises of 5.5%, 6% and 7%. This survey runs until January 31st and can be filled out here.

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• ⛳ St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association has marked a year of growth with membership rising from 331 to 440 juniors in 2025, with girls now making up 32% of participants.

• 🏥 NHS Fife has hosted a prestigious urological surgery training at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, with senior urology trainees from across the UK for the British Association of Urological Surgeons’ annual Residential Operative Endourology Course.

• 🏢 Parkgate Community Centre is to receive £12,555 from Fife Council’s Local Community Planning Budget for essential flooring upgrades in the main hall, stage, and servery, including sanding and re-marking the badminton court.

• ⚓ Plans are underway to use Rosyth Dockyard for non-nuclear maintenance of the UK’s new Dreadnought-class submarines from 2029 until mid-2030s, while Clyde facilities are unavailable.

• 🌊 SEPA has reported a drop in radioactive particles at Dalgety Bay, with eight detected from January to August 2025, down from 58 in 2024.

• 🏌️‍♂️ St Andrews Links Trust is adding The Duke’s Course to its Home of Golf portfolio. From 5 January 2026, the course will be renamed The Craigtoun Course and managed by the Links Trust, joining its seven public courses, including the Old Course.

• 👶 NHS Fife’s Neonatal Community Team are providing heated mattresses to families of pre-term and low birth weight babies, allowing stable babies to regulate their temperature safely at home. 19 babies have benefited so far in 2025.

• 🚶 Fife Council says the Ministry of Defence has refused access to a 15m stretch of land, preventing a footpath linking Caledonia High School’s sports facilities to Dundonald Road and the wider community.

• 🚧 Phase two of the £8m Pittenweem flood project has been unveiled, with Scottish Water submitting plans to install a powered screen on a storm overflow and replace the West Shore sea outfall with a larger buried pipe.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

🏘️ Fife Village Named Top Winter Destination

Fife has no shortage of great villages and towns to visit, and over the Christmas period, many of these look even more special, especially if we get lucky with some snowfall. Of course, most tourists tend to mark Edinburgh on their map as the place to visit, with its Christmas market and numerous shopping options. However, there is another place also receiving strong recognition these days, made famous by its featuring in the global hit TV series Outlander, and that is Culross, with Hello! Magazine naming it as one of its 7 prettiest UK villages to visit in winter.

The magazine described Culross as one of Scotland's "best-preserved" 17th-century villages, saying it "truly feels like stepping onto a historical film set." The village was named alongside other picturesque UK spots, including Portmeirion in Wales and Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds.

Culross was the only Scottish village to make the list, now letting us claim to be home to Scotland's best winter destination. Of course, there are plenty of other great spots across Fife and Scotland, but it's nice to see one of our own getting the recognition it deserves!

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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.

📅 Friday, 12th December

Falkland Palace Christmas Trail - With frosty paths, sparkling snowflakes and the scent of crisp winter air, it's a perfect family day out.
📁 Family | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £1+

Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📁 Markets | 🕢 9am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

Creative Craft Club For Adults - Come and enjoy a regular Friday morning of creativity.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Letham Village Hall | 🎟️ £13.50

White Christmas - Two talented song-and-dance men team up with a sister act to follow them to a Vermont inn for Christmas.
📁 Movie | 🕢 11am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

December Market Weekend - Array of Scottish food and drink traders, live music and street food.
📁 Markets | 🕢 12pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ Free

The Other Guys: Festive Drink & Show - An all-male a cappella ensemble from the University of St Andrews.
📁 Music | 🕢 6:15pm | 📍 Earlsferry Town Hall | 🎟️ £22.38

Aladdin - Join Aladdin as he sets off on a bonkers Highland adventure in this Scottish take on the classic tale.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25+

Aladdin: Unleash the Genie - Soar into a whole new world this Christmas with Aladdin, the spellbinding family pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Beer Project RUM-ble - What's better - a delicious beer or an amazing rum cocktail?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Howe Beer Project, Balmalcolm Den | 🎟️ £29.96

Oor Wee Mammy McGoose - The Best Wee Panto in Scotland returns with a Brand Spanking New Production.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Snow White - This year we are thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25.50+

Lindisfarne - Combining acoustic instruments like mandolin and fiddle with their electric blues roots.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £46.20

The Froobz - All female punk rock band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £11

Dick and Pink Live and Unleashed - Join us for an evening with Dick and Ian Campbell.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Bayview Stadium, Methil | 🎟️ £11.25

La Dolce Vita Swing Collective: Cool Yule Christmas Show - Featuring the best of the golden age of Las Vegas,  get ready to be whisked away to a winter wonderland.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Leslie Town Hall | 🎟️ £17.34

Ocean Views - Unforgettable night of music with support from Aidan and Paul (Boomslangs) and also Deek Jackson.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 McQ's @ Coadys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £9.60

Ali Baba - Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter, discovers a robber’s cave. His brother Kassim learns of the secret but creates trouble for Ali and himself.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £7+

Jump'n Bingo Big Xmas Party - High-energy Christmas party filled with rave rounds, dance-offs, lip sync battles, and of course, bingo prizes!
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 8pm | 📍 The Venue, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £9.05

Christmas Party Comedy Show - Join us for the funniest Christmas party in town!
📁 Comedy | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Baldridgeburn Community Centre | 🎟️ £27.80

📅 Saturday, 13th December

Falkland Palace Christmas Trail - With frosty paths, sparkling snowflakes and the scent of crisp winter air, it's a perfect family day out.
📁 Family | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £1+

Breakfast with Santa - Start your festive season with a magical morning you’ll never forget!
📁 Children | 🕢 9am | 📍 Fife Zoo | 🎟️ £20

Breakfast with Santa and Ceilidh - Bring the kids to something special this Christmas with a visit from Santa Claus himself!
📁 Family | 🕢 9:30am | 📍 Forgans St Andrews | 🎟️ £17.50+

Santa at the Stables - We’re delighted to welcome Santa and his Elf helpers back to the Stables.
📁 Children | 🕢 10am | 📍 The Yurt, Falkland Estate | 🎟️ £14

Festive Fun: Design and Unwind - Come along for a fun-filled, Christmas-themed painting session! All art materials and refreshments provided.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 St Peter’s Church, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £35

December Market Weekend - Array of Scottish food and drink traders, live music and street food.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10am | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ Free

Christmas Model Rail Show - Cupar & District Model Railway Club’s annual Christmas Model Rail Show is back for 2025.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 Cupar Corn Exchange | 🎟️ £3

Polar Express - A young boy boards a powerful, magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’ home on Christmas Eve.
📁 Movie | 🕢 11am | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £5

Decadance Christmas Party - Day Disco at Christmas open to 18+ guests.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 12pm | 📍 O'Connell's, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10.15

Aladdin: Unleash the Genie - Soar into a whole new world this Christmas with Aladdin, the spellbinding family pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 5pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Snow White - This year we are thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 7pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25.50+

Cast ON - A cosy, free fortnightly knitting & crochet meetup for all skill levels.
📁 Art | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Elf - Buddy was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa’s sack and ended up at the North Pole.
📁 Movie | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £5

Festive Painting Workshop - Fun-filled, guided painting session where you will be shown step by step how to create your very own cute robin painting.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 St Peter’s Church, Kirkcaldy  | 🎟️ £35

Aladdin - Join Aladdin as he sets off on a bonkers Highland adventure in this Scottish take on the classic tale.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 2pm & 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25+

Festive Craft & Cocktails - Mhairi will help you to create a gorgeous festive floral wreath to proudly display in your home this winter.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £45

Oor Wee Mammy McGoose - The Best Wee Panto in Scotland returns with a Brand Spanking New Production.
📁 Panto | 🕢 2:30pm & 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Chater’s Christmas Crazy Bingo - Loads of prizes and bar.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6pm | 📍 St Monans Town Hall | 🎟️ £27.80

Christmas Party Night - Christmas party night featuring live music from local band Siren (also playing Crail fest).
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £16

The Ultimate Winter Wobbler - Dance event with multiple DJs and MCs featuring special guest Dj Techno Trance.
📁 Music | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Cupar Corn Exchange | 🎟️ £15.65

Lindisfarne - Combining acoustic instruments like mandolin and fiddle with their electric blues roots.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £46.20

Jack and the Beanstalk - A remarkable production of Jack and the Beanstalk marks the return of another full-scale pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £16+

Ali Baba - Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter, discovers a robber’s cave. His brother Kassim learns of the secret but creates trouble for Ali and himself.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £7+

John Barrowman: Camp as Christmas - Celebrate the season with John Barrowman in this brand-new festive show filled with glitz, laughter, and heartwarming cheer.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £30+

Christmas Party Comedy Show - Join us for the funniest Christmas party in town!
📁 Comedy | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Blyth Hall, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £25

Tom Stade: Naughty By Nature - The Canadian comedy legend is coming to St. Andrews!
📁 Comedy | 🕢 8pm | 📍 St Andrews Bowling Club | 🎟️ £24.54

📅 Sunday, 14th December

Falkland Palace Christmas Trail - With frosty paths, sparkling snowflakes and the scent of crisp winter air, it's a perfect family day out.
📁 Family | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £1+

December Market Weekend - Array of Scottish food and drink traders, live music and street food.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10am | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ Free

Christmas Brunch - Enjoy a 2-course festive menu and a welcome cocktail, plus a day full of Christmas cheer.
📁 Food | 🕢 12pm | 📍 The Physician, St Andrews | 🎟️ £39

Culross Community Market - Enjoy a fantastic day of local shopping, delicious food, and live music.
📁 Markets | 🕢 12pm | 📍 Culross Green | 🎟️ Free

Write ON - Friendly and no-pressure creative writing group for amateur and unpublished writers.
📁 Art | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Aladdin: Unleash the Genie - Soar into a whole new world this Christmas with Aladdin, the spellbinding family pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 5pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Snow White - This year, we are thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 7pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25.50+

Dreaming with Trees - Join us for a nature writing session with an ancient tree at Balmerino Abbey.
📁 Art | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Forgan Arts Centre | 🎟️ Free

Festive Fairy - Meet our Fairy to make your Christmas wish and join in with festive crafts! This year we will be indoors in the warm.
📁 Family | 🕢 1pm | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden | 🎟️ Free

Aladdin - Join Aladdin as he sets off on a bonkers Highland adventure in this Scottish take on the classic tale.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 2pm & 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25+

Carol Services: Viewfield Baptist Church - A contemporary (modern) Carol Service.
📁 Music | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Viewfield Baptist Church, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

Rhino's Revenge - John 'Rhino' Edwards, the bassist in Status Quo, fronts this excellent original rock band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

📅 Monday, 15th December

Carols by Candlelight - Spine-tingling evening of beautiful carols performed by the highly acclaimed Robin Chapel Choir.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £16

🎉 Multi-Day Events & Exhibitions

Santa’s Grotto - Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Dunfermline, and this year it's even more magical!
📅 Sun, 23rd November - Wed, 24th December | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Dobbies, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £14+

Collecting the Contemporary: Scottish Art at Kirkcaldy Galleries - This display features works by modern and contemporary painters who were inspired by Scotland.
📅 Fri, 31st January - Wed, 31st December | 🕢 10am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 - Collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces.
📅 Tue, 4th March - Thu, 15th January 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity - Special preview evening filled with live music, drinks, and creative activities.
📅 Sat, 18th October - Sun, 15th February 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum | 🎟️ 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 2026 | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum | 🎟️ 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

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Cheers,

Duncan