🧭 Fife Whisky Business Named Scotland's Best Newcomer

Good morning, Fifers! In Friday's newsletter, we covered how NHS Fife is using AI to cut waiting times for MRIs, and asked whether you'd support more AI rollout in healthcare. The results were overwhelmingly in favour, with 91.27% of you voting yes.

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Double Win for Fife Whisky Bottler

• Fife Schools Show Steady Progress in Attainment

• 50 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TODAY’S TOP STORY

📚 Fife Schools Show Steady Progress in Attainment

A report presented to Fife Council's Education Scrutiny Committee shows encouraging progress across literacy, numeracy and secondary school outcomes, with targeted support helping to close the poverty-related attainment gap.

Primary school results demonstrate steady improvement, with 72% of pupils achieving expected levels in literacy (up from 71.1%) and 77.4% reaching expected levels in numeracy. The literacy attainment gap between the most and least deprived pupils has narrowed from 22.9% to 20%.

Secondary outcomes are also strengthening, with Fife performing at or above national levels in literacy and numeracy. Particularly encouraging is the rise in young people moving into further or higher education, training or employment, which has reached 94.1%, above the national figure of 93.1% and the highest level seen in Fife for six years.

Fife Council say a key factor in progress has been the Transforming Learning Programme, which is equipping every teacher and every P6-S6 learner with an iPad. So far, 12,534 iPads have been deployed across 93 schools, reshaping how lessons are delivered and improving access to learning tools. [Fife Council]

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 💙 A mother-daughter fundraising duo has donated £2,400 to Fife Health Charity, supporting the purchase of two new syringe drivers for NHS Fife after witnessing the vital role they play in end-of-life care.

• 🏛️ Fife College welcomed William Garner, the great-great-grandson of the college’s founder George Lauder, to its new Dunfermline City Campus for the official dedication of the Lauder Library and unveiling of a newly installed historic portrait.

• 🚣 Three University of St Andrews rowers have returned from the 2025 Commonwealth Beach Sprints Championships in Barbados with medals, marking a major milestone for the University’s rapidly rising coastal rowing programme.

• 🚻 The Guildhall and Linen Exchange in Dunfermline scooped a platinum award at the 2025 Loo of the Year Awards, praised for its spotless, well-maintained facilities.

• 🎖️ NHS Fife has reaffirmed its commitment to the Armed Forces community after receiving the prestigious Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

• 🚂 The steam train Blue Peter steamed through Fife on Saturday, giving spectators a rare glimpse of Britain’s rail heritage. Built in 1948 at Doncaster Works, it’s the last surviving Peppercorn Class A2 Pacific.

• 🎨 Kirkcaldy creative Abi Cooper won £1,000 at the first-ever Creative Soup event for her art vending machine idea, designed to make affordable local art accessible to everyone.

• 🏆 Knockhill’s International McRae Rally Challenge won a top national award at the RAC Club National Awards, celebrating 50 years of Jimmy McRae’s rallying and the anniversaries of Colin and Alister McRae’s championship wins.

• 🎁 Fife Sports and Leisure Trust has launched its festive “12 Days of Christmas” giveaway, offering daily prizes including free memberships, activity passes, and unique experiences. Follow their Facebook for more details.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

🥃 Fife Whisky Business Wins Best Newcomer

The Scottish whisky industry is going through a tough period, with rising costs and falling international demand hitting hard. Just last week, we covered Eden Mill distillery near St Andrews, which almost went under before being saved in a last-minute rescue.

But there is good news locally with Falkland-based whisky bottler Saltire Rare Malt scooping two major gongs at the 2025 Scottish Whisky Awards. Impressive stuff for a company that only bottled its first whisky in 2024!

They picked up Best Newcomer and Best Single Malt Over 13 Years for their Craigellachie 17-year-old release. Saltire Rare Malt specialises in limited-run bottlings from both well-known and rare distilleries, including casks from Scotland's legendary lost distilleries.

Looking for a decent Christmas gift? Check out their full collection here.

@THEFIFEINSIDER

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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, 2nd December

Dunshalt Festive Felting Wreath Workshop - Morning of festive fun as we create our own needle felted Santa gonks displayed in a festive themed wreath.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Dunshalt Village Hall | 🎟️ £45

Letham Festive Felting Wreath Workshop - Morning of festive fun as we create our own needle felted Santa gonks displayed in a festive themed wreath.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Letham Village Hall | 🎟️ £45

Christmas Night Market - Festive evening brimming with local makers, seasonal food and drink, live music and festive cheer.
📁 Markets | 🕢 4pm | 📍 Balgove Larder Farm Shop & Café | 🎟️ Free

Art and Design Fun - Join us for engaging sessions in comics, animation, drawing, weaving crafts, photography, papier-mache, and puppetry.
📁 Art | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ Free

The Marketing Meetup Fife - Networking community for business owners and marketers who aren't into corporate, cliquey or salesy networking.
📁 Talk | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Louie Browns, Dalgety Bay | 🎟️ Pay what you can

Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📁 Art | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

The Sound of Music - he beloved musical tells the tale of Maria, the spirited nun-turned-governess, who brings music and joy to the von Trapp family.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18

📅 Wednesday, 3rd December

Late Night Christmas Market - With our usual high standard of local makers and artists, this will be a Christmas shopping event not to be missed.
📁 Markets | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Cupar Corn Exchange | 🎟️ Free

The Grinch - Don’t be a grump this Christmas and treat yourself and your loved ones to some animated joy.
📁 Movie | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £4.50+

Treasure Island - Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map, belonging to an old sea captain and embarks on a perilous journey in search of buried treasure.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £12+

The Sound of Music - he beloved musical tells the tale of Maria, the spirited nun-turned-governess, who brings music and joy to the von Trapp family.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18

Jude Kriwald: Alone Across Gola - Explorer and filmmaker Jude Kriwald shares his remarkable journey cycling solo from England to India.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Dunfermline High School | 🎟️ £15

The Sound of Music -  One of the most beloved musicals of all time!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Blyth Hall, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £14.97+

📅 Thursday, 4th December

Christmas Wreath Workshop - Learn good techniques so you can make a beautiful bespoke wreath in the lovely surroundings of the glasshouse.
📁 Art | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Teasses Estate | 🎟️ £55

Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

Game ON - Casual gaming club with a huge range of board games.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 5pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Twas A Night at the Wrestling 4 - PWR Pro presents the most exciting form of family-friendly Christmas entertainment this festive season.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Truth Nightclub, Leven | 🎟️ £11.49

Animal Farm by Fife College - A group of exploited animals rebel against their human farmer-tyrant and take control of the land that they live on.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Studio 38 - Fife College, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £6.13

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+

Davey Pattison Band - Vocal powerhouse fronting Gamma, Ronnie Montrose, and The Robin Trower Band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

Fine Wine Dinner at The Peat Inn Restaurant - A chance to dine in one of Scotland's top Michelin-starred restaurants, hosted by Rose Murray Brown Master of Wine.
📁 Family | 🕢 7pm | 📍 The Peat Inn Restaurant | 🎟️ £163.22

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

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 | 🎟️ £20+

The Sound of Music - he beloved musical tells the tale of Maria, the spirited nun-turned-governess, who brings music and joy to the von Trapp family.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18

Treasure Island - Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map, belonging to an old sea captain and embarks on a perilous journey in search of buried treasure.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £12+

The Sound of Music -  One of the most beloved musicals of all time!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Blyth Hall, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £14.97+

📅 Friday, 5th December

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

Christmas Wreath Workshop - Learn good techniques so you can make a beautiful, bespoke wreath in the lovely surroundings of the glasshouse.
📁 Art | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Teasses Estate | 🎟️ £55

Big Green Market - Monthly pre-loved market dedicated to reducing waste and supporting the local community.
📁 Markets | 🕢 12pm | 📍 Burntisland Parish Church Hall | 🎟️ Free

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop - Create your own masterpiece while enjoying seasonal refreshments and good company!
📁 Art | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £45

Adam Smith Heritage Tour - Explore the world of Adam Smith, the Kirkcaldy man, philosopher, economist, and visionary.
📁 Tour | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Adam Smith Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

Coffee Afternoon & Sketchbook Club - Take some time for yourself to sketch, doodle, chat, or simply enjoy the calm, inspiring atmosphere of the space.
📁 Art | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

The Aurrie Mor Christmas Fair - Come along for festive cheer and make some timely purchases for Christmas!
📁 Markets | 🕢 3pm | 📍 The Aurrie, Lower Largo | 🎟️ Free

Christmas BASH for CASH - Raise funds that will benefit children in our local community this Christmas time!
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Methil Ex Servicemens Club | 🎟️ £3

Friday 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+

Adult Workshop: Clay Relief Tile - Make a tile for yourself or as a gift for someone special.
📁 Art | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ £5

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+

Mama Genesis - An Evening of Genesis Music, a tribute to the music of British group Genesis.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £30.80

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

Shamanic - Alternative rock band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £11

The Sound of Music - he beloved musical tells the tale of Maria, the spirited nun-turned-governess, who brings music and joy to the von Trapp family.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18

Treasure Island - Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map, belonging to an old sea captain and embarks on a perilous journey in search of buried treasure.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £12+

The Sound of Music -  One of the most beloved musicals of all time!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Blyth Hall, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £14.97+

🎉 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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THANKS FOR READING

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Cheers,

Duncan