🧭 First Ever Tours Inside the Queensferry Crossing

Good morning, Fifers! It looks like the good weather is back and set to stay. Just perfect for the start of the school summer holidays!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Win a Tour of the Queensferry Crossing

• The Fife Walk Named Best in Scotland

• 39 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🚶 Fife Walk Named Best in Scotland

Fife is home to some incredible vistas, from the sweeping views across the Forth and its islands to the rugged terrain of the Lomond Hills. And while the Fife Coastal Path has helped raise the profile of our region’s natural beauty, the Kingdom often remains under the radar, especially for international visitors. That’s why it was such welcome news to see respected consumer website Which? name one of Fife’s walks as the best in Scotland!

The winning route is a 4-mile stretch of the Fife Coastal Path between Anstruther and Crail. Which? praised the walk for showcasing the charm of both villages, with their winding streets, colourful cottages, and piles of lobster pots hinting at their fishing heritage. And of course, the reward at the end, or beginning, is Anstruther’s famous award-winning fish and chip shop. And, to make a day of it, we’d also highly recommend the great Anstruther Fisheries Museum (they have a great summer programme of events for kids).

With sunny weather expected to continue throughout the week, now is the perfect time to lace up your walking boots and explore (or rediscover!) this stunning part of Fife. You can check out all the walks to make the list here.

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 📢 Fife Council has launched Phase Two of its Community Council Scheme consultation. Public feedback on the draft scheme and boundaries is open until 15 August via email, post, or online form.

• 🏆 Puddledub Butchers in Kirkcaldy has won the award as the Best Small Butchery Business in Scotland at the 2025 British Butchery Awards.

• 🚶‍♀️ 3 digital walking trails have been launched in Dunfermline to boost city exploration. The Dunfermline Discovery Trails can be accessed here.

• 🚧 Anstruther businesses have slammed the RNLI’s £7m lifeboat station build, fearing £1.8m in losses due to tourist disruption. RNLI says delays aren’t possible due to tides and winter conditions.

• 🚒 Heroic Carnock firefighter Ewan Williamson, who died tackling a 2009 Edinburgh blaze, has been posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Emblem, honouring public servants who lose their lives in the line of duty.

• 🏥 NHS Fife has launched a 'Why Wait?' campaign urging residents to call NHS 24 on 111 before visiting A&E if they are unsure if they require hospital care. The campaign aims to cut wait times and ease pressure by guiding patients to the right care.

• 🏫 The green light has been given for the Balwearie High School upgrade in Kirkcaldy. Planned works include new double-glazed windows, gas heating, improved lighting, and parquet floor repairs, starting this summer to minimise disruption.

• 🛡️ Defence Minister has warned that Fife College cuts risk undermining local defence recruitment. Despite increased demand for skills, inflation means real-terms budget cuts could impact key courses like cybersecurity and engineering.

• ✈️ The RAF has warned Fife residents to expect nighttime noise as they plan to conduct nighttime flying exercises. The nighttime flights are scheduled to continue until the early hours of Friday morning.

AROUND FIFE

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

🎫 Your Chance to Win a Guided Tour of Queensferry Crossing

Most of us watched the Queensferry Crossing take shape before it finally opened to traffic in 2017, and since then, we’ve probably all crossed it more times than we can count. While it’s long been possible to walk or cycle across the old Forth Road Bridge, doing the same on the new crossing has never been possible. However, as part of Doors Open Day 2025, members of the public will be offered a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the Queensferry Crossing for the first time ever.

The event will take place on September 27th, and demand is expected to be huge, 12,000 people applied for the Forth Road Bridge Open Day last year! To keep things fair, BEAR Scotland will run a lottery (or ballot) to select participants for the limited tour slots. Each 90-minute tour will include access to normally off-limits areas such as the interior of the box girder deck and the central reservation, where the bridge’s massive cable stays are anchored.

Tours are completely free, though donations are encouraged in support of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, BEAR Scotland’s national charity partner. The ballot opens later this month. Follow @SETrunkRoads and @TheForthBridges on X to be notified as soon as it goes live. We’ll also keep you updated as we learn more.

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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

📍 Iona Fyfe - Award-winning Aberdeenshire singer and pianist.
📅 Wed, 9th July | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 The Glen Tavern, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £8

📍 Arienas - Local 4-piece indie rock band.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 GAVIN: The World Does Not Revolve Around You - Earthly collage of alt-folk/rock sounds with universal lyrical themes of desire, spirituality and the human condition.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Paula O'brien: Nothing Medium About Me - Come along and see Paula’s incredible communication with spirit, one-of-a-kind sense of humour and jaw dropping gift.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £15

📍 Anton & Giovanni: Together Again - The show will be an enthralling experience for all ages, showcasing the duo’s incredible talents and irresistible chemistry.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £48

📍 The Steamie - Heart-warming comedy that celebrates the spirit, resilience, and camaraderie of working-class women in post-war Glasgow.
📅 Fri, 11th & Sat, 12th July | 🕢 2:30pm (Sat) & 7:30pm (Fri & Sat) | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £18

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Composted: A Festival of Biodegradable Ideas - Connecting gardeners, scientists, environmentalists, and everyone in the community in celebration of the life in our compost.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sat, 26th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Cambo Country House and Estate | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Kellie Castle Guided Tour - Discover how the castle it was saved from ruin in the late 19th century by a family of architects and artists.
📅 Tue, 8th - Fri, 11th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Kellie Castle | 🎟️ £14.88

📍 Snow White - Disney’s Snow White is a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film.
📅 Tue, 8th July | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £1+

📍 Women’s Rugby Beginners Bootcamp - Try rugby for free in a fun and friendly environment, learn new skills, improve your fitness and meet new people!
📅 Tue, 8th July | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Howe Of Fife Rugby Football Club | 🎟️ Free

📍 Escape Room Experience: The Last Exhibit - Can you escape the Bell Pettigrew Museum that has been taken over by a rogue technology?
📅 Wed, 9th - Fri, 11th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

📍 The Salt Path - A couple walk the 630-mile Salt Path along the English coast after losing their home and facing a terminal illness.
📅 Wed, 9th July | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5+

📍 28 Years Later - 28 years after the Rage virus escaped a medical research laboratory, survivors have found ways to exist amidst the infected.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £6.50+

📍 Dark & Haunting Tales - Meetings with the devil, ghostly stage coaches, accused witches, and body snatchers.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Abbot House, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £20.21

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Burntisland Fairground - Rides, stalls, and attractions lining the town’s seafront.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sun, 24th August | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 The Links, Burntisland | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Summer Birdies - Create your own bird finger puppets and paper birds.
📅 Wed, 9th July | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📅 Thu, 10th July | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Templehall Library, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Fish and Thread Craft Drop-In - Create your own fish to take home. Have a go at stitching or sticking to make your fish.
📅 Thu, 10th July | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

📍 Suitcase Stories: The Little Toy - Two children play on a beach, and when their parents call them away suddenly, Little Toy is left behind.
📅 Thu, 10th July | 🕢 11:00am & 2:00pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £4

📍 Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📅 Thu, 10th July | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Jennie Lee Library, Lochgelly | 🎟️ Free

📍 Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📅 Thu, 10th July | 🕢 3:30pm | 📍 Cowdenbeath Library | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Aurrie Mor Summer Festival - Daily family friendly events including music,stories, art, and more.
📅 Fri, 11th - Sat, 19th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 The Aurrie Mor, Lower Largo | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Hillview Animal Park: Summer Visits - Come along and meet our friendly animals.
📅 Fri, 11th - Mon, 14th July | 🕢 10:00am & 1:00pm | 📍 Hillview Animal Park | 🎟️ £5

📍 Learn Photography @ Fife Zoo - Full day course with Drew Cunningham and Grant Keelan for beginners, amateurs and enthusiasts.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Fife Zoo | 🎟️ £50

📍 St Andrews Heritage Tour - Discover hidden gems, stories, and secrets by exploring St Andrews Castle, Cathedral, and more.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 St Andrews War Memorial | 🎟️ £10

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Cheese and Wine Night - Enjoy a glass of wine of your choice and a chessboard.
📅 Tue, 8th July | 🕢 5:00pm | 📍 The Old Vic, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

🛒 Markets

📍 Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📅 Fri, 11th July | 🕢 9:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

🧶 Arts & Crafts

📍 Sigils in Felted Wool - An introduction to Sigil crafting and learn to create unique sigils in felted wool!
📅 Tue, 8th July | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Heartfelt Studio, Newburgh | 🎟️ £76.55

📍 Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📅 Tue, 8th & Thu, 10th July | 🕢 7pm (Tue) & 2pm (Thu) | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

🎨 Exhibitions

📍 Crail Brushstrokes - Landscapes and landmarks familiar to many who live in or visit this lovely part of the world.
📅 Tue, 1st - Tue, 29th July | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

📍 Making Waves; Breaking Ground - Unique exhibition of large scale paintings and artwork.
📅 Sat, 19th July - Mon, 4th August | 🕢 10:00am (Tue-Sun) | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ Free

📍 Deep Sea World Fantasea - This summer, Deep Sea World transforms into a mythical world of magic, mystery, and marine marvels.
📅 Sat, 28th June - Sun, 17th August | 🕢 | 📍 Deep Sea World, North Queensferry | 🎟️ £13.75+

📍 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

📍 The Lost Words - Featuring original artwork by artist Jackie Morris and spell-poems by writer Robert Macfarlane.
📅 Sat, 28th June - Sun, 26th October | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ 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

📍 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

📍 Forthlines - Displays of squares made by people living in Fife, of places that they know and love.
📅 Sat, 24th May - Sun, 31st August | 🕢 10:00am (11:00am Sun) | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Museum Entry

📍 Rewrite the Future - Explore how today's choices can shape a fairer, more sustainable tomorrow.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sun, 28th September | 🕢 9:45am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

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THANKS FOR READING

Thanks for reading Fife Insider today. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend in Fife.

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!