🧭 Is Uber Coming to Fife?

Good morning, Fifers! It’s been one wet week (and year), but it looks like the worst of it may be behind us, at least for now.

Thanks to everyone who took part in our survey on Fife Council’s budget priorities in Tuesday’s newsletter. Fixing potholes and investing in long-term road repairs came out on top in our poll, receiving 22.64% of the vote. In the council’s own survey, this priority ranked third.

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Is Uber Coming to Fife?

• Kirkcaldy Investment Update

• 48 Events to See This Weekend

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

— Duncan

TODAY’S TOP STORY

🚗 Is Uber Coming to Fife?

Whilst Uber Eats already operates in Fife for food delivery (though we'd recommend checking out Fife's own What The Fork instead), the same cannot be said for their ride-hailing platform. However, that looks set to change with news breaking that the global tech platform has submitted an application for a taxi booking office licence to operate out of Rosyth Business Centre. The company, which already operates in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, says there's "strong demand" for its services in the Kingdom and promises to offer "new earning opportunities for local drivers".

Uber has proved controversial over the years, particularly around driver treatment and safety checks. However, the company has made significant improvements following Transport for London's licence revocations in 2017 and 2019, introducing 24/7 phone support, direct incident reporting to police, real-time ID checks, and mandatory driving hour limits. A landmark 2021 UK Supreme Court ruling also forced Uber to grant drivers worker status with holiday pay, minimum wage, and pension contributions. If approved, the service could offer Fife residents more options for getting rides at short notice, particularly late at night.

However, not everyone welcomes Uber's arrival. The East Fife Taxi Association (EFTA) has lodged formal objections, raising concerns about the impact on local drivers' livelihoods, passenger safety, regulatory fairness, and the long-term sustainability of the trade. EFTA has also criticised Fife Council for what it described as "extremely poor communication" with the local taxi trade. Despite the council recently holding a meeting with taxi operators to improve engagement, the Uber application, lodged on January 23rd, wasn't mentioned.

The application will be considered by Fife Council's Regulation & Licensing Committee in due course. If approved, Fife would join Scotland's three largest cities in hosting Uber operations, though whether the platform can replicate its urban success in a more distributed area like the Kingdom, where local taxi firms have deep community roots and knowledge of rural routes, remains to be seen.

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• ⚡ Fife College’s Girls in Energy programme has expanded to three cohorts in Dunfermline, Levenmouth, and Glenrothes, thanks to increased Shell UK funding. Thirty pupils will study energy and engineering skills one afternoon per week, with hands-on projects, industry visits, and career insights, aiming to boost female representation in STEM careers.

• 💷 Blairhall will receive £12,000 to support its new Community Action Plan. The plan, created with local volunteers, schools, and Fife Council, will guide improvements including safer travel, upgraded play areas, better signage, and enhanced green spaces.

• 🌊 Fife Council met with Freuchie Mill residents to discuss flood prevention plans. Proposals include a new box culvert and diverting the Mill Lade via an open channel. Estimated costs are around £3.5m, with £2.2m already budgeted.

• 🏫 The University of St Andrews Community Fund is open for applications across Fife. Grants of £250–£3,000 are available for community groups, charities, and voluntary organisations to support projects with social, cultural, or environmental impact. Apply here.

• 🚗 Lochore Meadows Country Park is set to improve visitor access with a new tarmac car park providing around 65 additional spaces next to the main visitor centre car park. The work will cost £80,000 and take 1 week to complete.

• 🏆 Fife College has been shortlisted for the UCISA Transformation Award 2026 after transforming its new Dunfermline City Campus from an empty building into a fully digital, net-zero-ready learning environment in just 28 days. Others shortlisted in this category include the University of Edinburgh and the University of Manchester

• 🔥 Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, has urged the UK Government to match the Scottish Government’s £9 million funding package to support communities affected by the closure of Mossmorran.

• 💻 The University of St Andrews has received planning approval for its Digital Nexus building, a £60 million cutting-edge facility set to become the new home of the School of Computer Science. The building is part of the University’s £300 million ‘Making Waves’ campaign, designed to be a central hub for science and medicine.

• ❓ Following on from last week’s confusing update on the spending plans for Kirkclady’s £20m funding, the council has released an FAQ to answer some of the questions. You can find it here, and there’s still time to share your feedback on the proposals.

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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, 13th February

Roblox Rumble - Designed for young gamers who adore Roblox aged 7 to 12.
📁 Children | 🕢 9am & 1pm | 📍 The Vine Conference Centre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.80

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

Gaelic Conversation Group - Join this informal group of Gaelic learners for a relaxed morning working together on Gaelic Conversation.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10:15am | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

Kipper's Half Term Drop-In: Silver Darlings - Hands-on craft session and create our very own Silver Darling using shimmering foil.
📁 Children | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

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

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+

Gavin Webster: The Gathering of the Gav - Live comedy.
📁 Comedy | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory - The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £14+

Hamnet - After losing their son Hamnet to plague, Agnes and William Shakespeare grapple with grief in 16th-century England.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5+

The Ultimate Boyband Party Show - Expect poptastic hits from Take That, Boyzone, Westlife, NSYNC, and more!
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £24.50

R.E.M. X Buster Keaton's Sherlock Jr - Buster Keaton’s 1924 comedy classic is reimagined with R.E.M. 's alt-rock masterpieces Monster and New Adventures in Hi-Fi.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £14

Desperados - Experience the timeless sound of the Eagles as Desperados bring their music to life.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £22

Gus Munro - Blues singer.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📅 Saturday, 14th February

Beewild Blooms Spring Workshop - Our team will guide you through the art of candle painting, working with Spring bulbs & the discovery of dried florals.
📁 Art | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £30

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

Sourdough Baking Workshop - This workshop is an introduction to baking with wild yeast to create sourdough bread and baking.
📁 Food | 🕢 10am | 📍 Greener Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £76

Hayley Matthews Art Paint & Sip: Love Birds - Paint, sip, create! No experience necessary! All art materials and refreshments provided. BYOB!
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 St Peter’s Church, Kirkcaldy  | 🎟️ £35

Shifting Landscape Documentary Series: Part 2 - Four-part documentary series by Emergence Magazine in our Bioscope.
📁 Movie | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden | 🎟️ Entry + Donation

Tidal Vessels - A mix of mark-making, sculpting materials alongside improvised movement practice, and creating collective scores.
📁 Art | 🕢 11am | 📍 Forgan Arts Centre | 🎟️ £3

Pick-up a Fruit Tree in Rosyth - Pick-up a tree to take away and plant at home in your garden.
📁 Garden | 🕢 11am | 📍 EATS Rosyth Community Garden | 🎟️ Free

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory - The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few.
📁 Stage | 🕢 12:30pm & 4:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £14+

Valentine's Afternoon Tea - Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an extra special afternoon tea.
📁 Food | 🕢 12:30pm & 3pm | 📍 Hill of Tarvit Mansion House | 🎟️ £37.65

A Big Egg - From the Story Time series of family musicals by the creators of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.
📁 Family | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £8

Pick-up a Fruit Tree in Kincardine - Pick-up a tree to take away and plant at home in your garden.
📁 Garden | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Kincardine Senior Citizens' Centre | 🎟️ Free

Luke’s Larder Valentine's Charity Night - An evening of glamour, laughter, live vocals, games & love, all in aid of Luke’s Larder.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Pinkertons Lounge & Function Suite, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £15.18

Balada Bingo Party Night - Twelve fantastic bingo games plus lots of craziness in between!
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 7pm | 📍 The Compass, Dalgety Bay | 🎟️ £10.54

A Country Night In Nashville - Prepare to be transported on a musical journey through the history of Country.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.50

Craig Hill: Wait ‘Til You See My Entrance! - Get ready for a kilt-swinging night of outrageous laughs.
📁 Comedy | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £21.50

Sandy Power - Mix of pop classics and crowd-pleasing favourites from across the decades.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

Forgan's St Andrews Ceilidh - Head to Forgan’s and experience one of our unforgettable ceilidhs.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10:30pm | 📍 Forgan's St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📅 Sunday, 15th February

Beewild Blooms Spring Workshop - Our team will guide you through the art of candle painting, working with Spring bulbs & the discovery of dried florals.
📁 Art | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £30

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

Just Beatles - Scotland's Number 1 tribute to The Beatles.
📁 Music | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £28.60

Snowdrop Festival: Cambo Heritage Tour - Tour highlighting the significant heritage, the story of snowdrops and a walk through the winter garden.
📁 Tour | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Cambo Country House and Estate | 🎟️ £15

Storytime with Kipper the Cat - Join our friendly cat Kipper and Jen for a story or two in our atmospheric galleries.
📁 Children | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

W3L Wrestling Showdown - The World Wide Wrestling League returns with live action featuring top wrestling stars from around the world.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Cupar Corn Exchange | 🎟️ £14.79

Beth Malcolm Live from Cambo Kitchen - Join us for a night of live music with Beth Malcolm at Cambo House as part of the Cambo Snowdrop Festival.
📁 Music | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Cambo Country House and Estate | 🎟️ £20.21

Hayseed Dixie - Rock songs in a hillbilly style, also known as Rockgrass.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £26.60

📅 Monday, 16th February

Kipper's Half Term Drop-In: Silver Darlings - Hands-on craft session and create our very own Silver Darling using shimmering foil.
📁 Children | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

Night Train to Odesa: A Scottish Journalist in Ukraine - Journalist and writer Jen Stout has brought the conflict home to readers in Scotland with her evocative firsthand reporting.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Old Kirk | 🎟️ £15

🎉 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

Muir Walker Pride: 175 Years of Practice - Supported by historical drawings & instruments, this exhibition will chart the changing nature of architectural practice and its reflection of society over the years.
📅 Wed, 18th February - Sun, 15th March | 🕢 10:30am - 4pm (Wed - Mon) | 📍 St Andrews Bowling Club | 🎟️ £7.50

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