🧭 Giant Whale Sculptures Proposed for Fife Waterfront

Good morning, Fifers!

Here’s what's coming your way today:

• Giant Whale Sculptures Proposed for Fife Waterfront

• Edinburgh Airport Charges Up Again

• 44 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• ✈️ Edinburgh Airport will increase its terminal drop-off fee from £6 to £8.50 from 18 May, with airport bosses blaming an £8 million rise in business rates. The airport will also end its 50% discount for electric vehicles, although the free long-stay drop-off area will remain available for passengers willing to walk to the terminal.

• ⛳ St Andrews Links Trust hosted the 2026 PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a Disability at the Eden Course, welcoming 72 golfers from 11 countries for the growing championship. Barry Wearing claimed the title after overcoming functional neurological disorder, while the event also included golf activity sessions for 45 pupils with additional support needs to help make the sport more accessible and inclusive.

• 🏫 Fife’s new Caledonia High School is now just 100 days away from opening, with pupils visiting the site to celebrate the milestone ahead of the August start. The £88 million school, replacing Inverkeithing High School, will accommodate up to 1,735 pupils and feature flexible learning spaces, modern digital facilities, community sports areas, and a low-energy Passivhaus-inspired design expected to use around 75% less energy than a standard new-build school.

• 📸 Fife College photography students are showcasing their work in a free end-of-year exhibition at Fire Station Creative until May 31st. The exhibition features portrait, documentary, landscape and experimental photography, giving visitors a chance to see emerging creative talent from across Fife.

• 🚆 ScotRail has confirmed details of its timetable changes that will come into effect from May 17th, with a second train per hour planned for the Levenmouth Rail Link on Sundays.

• 👶 NHS Fife has revealed the most popular baby names in Fife across the decades, showing changing trends from classics like John and Mary in the 1940s to Noah and Olivia in the 2020s. Names including David, Andrew, Jack and Olivia have remained favourites over multiple generations, while recent maternity ward trends include Hallie, Alfie, Esme and Theo.

• 🧖 Tidal Soul Sauna has been granted planning permission for a new outdoor sauna beside Kinghorn beach. The timber sauna cabin will host booked sessions for up to eight people, inspired by Scandinavian sauna culture.

• 🏭 ExxonMobil has confirmed that 90 workers left the Fife Ethylene Plant at the end of April following the site’s closure, although more than 70 have already secured new jobs elsewhere. The company says decommissioning work will continue until at least 2028, with support programmes in place through Fife College and government funding as discussions continue over the long-term future of the Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay sites.

• 🐦 Members of Crossgates Flying Club competed in the Ripon O.B. pigeon race with 319 birds entered. R Cook’s pigeon took first place with the highest recorded velocity of 1,430 yards per minute, narrowly ahead of A McCudden’s top bird on 1,429 yards per minute.

• 🤝 NHS Fife has officially adopted the Buy Social Pledge in partnership with Social Enterprise Scotland, committing to increase the use of social enterprises within its supply chain. The move aims to strengthen community-led businesses while contributing to NHS Fife’s wider sustainability and community wealth-building goals.

TODAY’S TOP STORY

🐋 Giant Whale Sculptures Proposed for Fife Waterfront

Kirkcaldy's returning MSP David Torrance has called for "something bold and ambitious" to help revitalise the town's waterfront, specifically, two giant whale sculptures similar to Falkirk's famous Kelpies. Speaking after his re-election to the Scottish Parliament for a fourth term, the SNP politician said the idea would create a major visitor attraction capable of drawing thousands of tourists and boosting the local economy.

The idea of Kirkcaldy having unique attractions, such as the Kelpies, emerged during resident consultations last year, when the town won £20m in UK Government funding to regenerate its high street and waterfront. However, following local pushback on initial proposals for how the money should be spent, final plans remain to be confirmed by Fife Council.

Whether Kirkcaldy needs giant whales or something else entirely, this proposal certainly injects something new into the discussion. With £20 million secured and updated plans due at community events later this month, residents will soon see if bold ideas like whale sculptures make the final cut, or if the council opts for something more conventional.

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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, 12th May

There's More to Life than Lowry: Painting in Northern Britain in the 20th Century - Learn how Lowry is not the only artist capturing the urban and natural landscapes of North Britain!
📁 Talk | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Cupar Corn Exchange | 🎟️ £10

The Man Who Left the Titanic - Evokes that terrible voyage and asks whether Bruce Ismay only did what any of us might have done in the same circumstances.
📁 Stage | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ £16.50+

Sip & Paint with Peipei’s Palette - Slow down, sip something lovely, and let your creativity flow freely.
📁 Art | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Louie Browns, Dalgety Bay | 🎟️ £35

People's Emergency Briefing: Community Film Screening - This eye-opening film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence.
📁 Movie | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Greener Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

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

Wednesday, 13th May

The North - Having taken the same 350-mile walk in their youth, the pair hope to rekindle their once-strong friendship.
📁 Movie | 🕢 11am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

Mindful Art: A Free Workshop for Unpaid Carers - Caring for someone can be hard. This session is a chance to step away from that for a while.
📁 Art | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Dunfermline St Columba's Church | 🎟️ Free

Beginners Vegetable Growing Workshop - Get your hands dirty & learn how to grow your own organic veggies from scratch in this fun, beginner-friendly workshop.
📁 Food | 🕢 6pm | 📍 The Sanctuary Garden, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £40

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+

A Fete Worse than Death - Come along on this murder mystery walk to look for clues, interpret evidence, and help the police to solve the case!
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £16

Back to You, Mama Live - If you’ve been running on empty, juggling everything, and quietly missing the woman you used to be… this evening is for you.
📁 Community | 🕢 7pm | 📍 The Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland | 🎟️ £7

Alice Underground - In the ‘Underground’ Alice is in peril and her quest is to escape before it is too late and she is trapped there forever.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £8+

Disney’s The Little Mermaid - Dive under the sea for a magical theatrical adventure as Disney’s The Little Mermaid splashes onto the stage!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £19.50+

Thursday, 14th May

Rule Breakers - A group of young Afghan women determined to pursue careers in STEM despite mounting opposition.
📁 Movie | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6.50+

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

An Evening with Maxine Scheckter: Demo & Book Signing - Join us for a relaxed evening celebrating Maxine’s debut pastry book!
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £12.50+

Alice Underground - In the ‘Underground’ Alice is in peril and her quest is to escape before it is too late and she is trapped there forever.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £8+

Sheila's Island - On the annual team-building weekend, Sheila has unwittingly stranded her team on an island in the lake.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Montrave Hall, Lundin Links | 🎟️ £10+

Disney’s The Little Mermaid - Dive under the sea for a magical theatrical adventure as Disney’s The Little Mermaid splashes onto the stage!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £19.50+

Beth Malcolm with Heather Cartwright - A songwriter, piano player and singer of stories, Beth has established herself as one of Scotland’s most sought-after young artists.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £13.98

Friday, 15th May

The Search for the Lost Baggage Ferry of King Charles 1st - This lecture by Ian Archibald of Burntisland Heritage Trust will tell the story of the search for the wreckage of the Baggage Ferry of King Charles 1st.
📁 Talk | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ £8.50

Hayley Matthews Art Paint & Sip: Beach Scene - Paint, sip, create! No experience necessary! All art materials and refreshments provided. BYOB! 
📁 Art | 🕢 6pm | 📍 St Peter’s Church, Kirkcaldy  | 🎟️ £35

Note of Concern - A brand new play from Fast Snail Productions.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

The Polis: A Tribute To The Police - The UK's most Authentic Police Tribute.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £15.75

Neither a Tudor Nor a Stewart: The Extraordinary Life of Margaret Tudor - Join us for a captivating talk with Linda Porter about Margaret Tudor whose dynastic legacy shaped Britain's future.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £9.50+

Alice Underground - In the ‘Underground’ Alice is in peril and her quest is to escape before it is too late and she is trapped there forever.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £8+

Three Queens from the Opera - A delightful musical parody revue of operatic royalty.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Leslie Town Hall | 🎟️ £13.01

Disney’s The Little Mermaid - Dive under the sea for a magical theatrical adventure as Disney’s The Little Mermaid splashes onto the stage!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £19.50+

Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-in - Faced with the threat of their factory closing, and with 240 jobs on the line, there’s no way the women of the Lee Jeans factory are going down without a fight.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £6.50+

Painted Links: An Exploration of the History of Golf in Scotland Through Art - By Hannah Fleming.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Crail Kirk Hall | 🎟️ £5

Simply Rod Stewart - Whether you're a die-hard Rod Stewart fan or just looking for a fantastic night out, this is THE event for you.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Burntisland Sands Hotel | 🎟️ £11.97

Sheila's Island - On the annual team-building weekend Sheila has unwittingly stranded her team on an island in the lake.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Montrave Hall, Lundin Links | 🎟️ £10+

Shepherd and McKenna - An evening of cabaret to remember.
📁 Stage | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £15

Multi-Day Festivals & Events

Bluebell Flower & Fairy Trail - A stunning carpet of bluebells is set to transform the grounds of Hill of Tarvit Mansion House & Garden this spring.
📅 Thu, 23rd April - Sun, 17th May | 🕢 All day | 📍 Hill of Tarvit Mansion and Gardens | 🎟️ Free

Building No.3 Dock Exhibition - An exhibition curated by the Methil Heritage Friends showcasing a huge part of the history of the local area.
📅 Wed, 8th April - Sat, 30th May | 🕢 11am-4pm | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

Hayley Matthews Art Exhibition: Wild! - A vibrant new collection of original paintings and prints by self-taught artist Hayley Matthews.
📅 Tue, 7th April - Thu, 25th June | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ Free

Burntisland Fairground - Rides, stalls, and attractions lining the town’s seafront.
📅 Sat, 23rd May - Sun, 16th August | 🕢 1pm | 📍 The Links, Burntisland | 🎟️ Varies

Pins and Needles Exhibition - The exhibition showcases previously unseen or rarely-seen items from the museum’s textile collection.
📅 Thu, 9th April - Sun, 23rd August | 🕢 10am-4pm (Mon-Sat) & 11am-4pm (Sun) | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Museum Admission

Living Colour: Celebrating 200 Years of the Royal Scottish Academy - Experience the incredible range of RSA artists represented in this specially curated show from OnFife’s collections.
📅 Sat, 28th March - Sat, 5th September | 🕢 10:30am-4pm (Mon-Sat) | 📍 St Andrews Museum | 🎟️ Free

Unearthed - Step back in time to where it all began in our latest family-friendly exhibition.
📅 Sat, 21st March - Sun, 6th September | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ Free

The Wemyss Ware Cat Trail - Trail of 17 large-scale Wemyss Cat sculptures, each standing over 1.7 metres tall.
📅 Sat, 25th April - Sun, 6th September | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

Dear Earth - An exhibition exploring how artists are responding to the increased fragility of the world around us.
📅 Sat, 21st March - Sun, 13th September | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Carnegie and the RSA: A Celebration of the Carnegie Travelling Scholarship - This exhibition celebrates the wide-ranging impact of the Royal Scottish Academy’s Carnegie Travelling Scholarship as part of RSA 200: Celebrating Together.
📅 Mon, 23rd March - Sun, 13th December | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum | 🎟️ Free

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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Cheers,

Duncan