🧭 Major Fire at Fife Facility Continues

Good morning, Fifers! In Tuesday’s newsletter, we asked what you thought about plans for two giant whale sculptures in Kirkcaldy as part of regeneration efforts aimed at attracting more visitors, and it seems the proposal is very popular. Overall, 64% said they liked it, 30% were against it, and 6% were unsure.

Here’s what's coming your way today:

• Major Fire at Fife Facility Continues

• NHS Fife Call to Avoid Blue-Green Algae

• 63 Events to See This Weekend

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

— Duncan

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏘️ Fife Council has approved more than £87,000 in funding to support holiday programmes, community learning and local events across the Cowdenbeath area. The investment will help deliver activities for children, families and adults in communities including Benarty, Kelty, Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath, alongside wellbeing groups, volunteer celebrations and welfare support services.

• 🌍 University of St Andrews is leading a new Scotland-wide programme to embed sustainable healthcare education into all undergraduate medical degrees after securing £100,000 in Scottish Government funding. Working alongside University of Glasgow, University of Dundee, University of Aberdeen and University of Edinburgh, the initiative will help future doctors learn how to deliver environmentally sustainable healthcare in line with NHS Scotland’s net zero targets.

• 🌉 Fife Council will carry out overnight structural investigation works on the A919 bridge over the Motray Water near Guardbridge from May 26th. The four-night project will involve concrete testing on the bridge, with temporary traffic lights and a southbound lane closure in place overnight while pedestrian access remains open.

• 🥩 Balgove Larder is expanding its award-winning butchery to meet growing demand for locally sourced meat and farm produce. The new 100m² development will more than double the butchery space while continuing to focus on traditional butchery skills and high-quality Scottish produce.

• 🔥 A major fire at the Ladybank Waste Facility remains ongoing after breaking out on Tuesday afternoon, with emergency crews still on site and the main waste processing facility closed due to significant damage. Bin collections are continuing as normal, but residents are being advised to keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke.

• 🏘️ Persimmon Homes has withdrawn plans for a major 1,500-home development at Cupar North, ending a proposal that had been under discussion for more than a decade. The developer cited rising infrastructure costs and changes to land ownership, including challenges linked to delivering a new primary school and northern relief road.

• 🌊 Businesses, industry leaders and educators gathered in Methil this week for the Forth & Tay Regional Showcase, highlighting growing opportunities in offshore wind across Fife and Scotland’s east coast.

• 🏛️ Inverkeithing Town House has received a £36,076 funding boost to help transform the newly restored historic building into a busy community hub. The support will fund volunteer coordination, local events, wellbeing activities and venue promotion during its first year of operation.

TODAY’S TOP STORY

🔥 Major Fire at Fife Waste Facility Continues

A significant fire at Ladybank Waste Facility near Lower Melville Wood broke out on Tuesday afternoon and continued burning through the night, with firefighters still working to bring it fully under control. At its height, twelve fire engines and specialist resources attended, though this has now reduced to four appliances remaining on site. There are no reported casualties.

The fire forced the closure of the A92 between Melville Lodges and Ladybank, and the B937 at Eden Bridge to the A91, causing significant disruption for motorists. Images of large flames and thick grey smoke have circulated widely on social media, with dozens of locals reporting smoke visible from nearby towns and even across the Forth from Portobello in Edinburgh. Residents have been asked to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution if they can see or smell smoke.

The waste facility remains closed while the emergency response continues, and it's too early to confirm when operations will reopen, given the significant damage sustained. However, Fife Council has confirmed that bin collections are currently going ahead as planned with no disruptions, and residents should continue to present bins and bulky uplift items as normal. The household waste recycling centre at the site is also closed, though Cupar Recycling Centre will operate seven days a week from May 15th to help manage demand. [Fife Council]

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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, 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

Saturday, 16th May

Champions Of Scottish Car Racing - Enjoy a thrilling mix of championship battles and retro racing moments as we celebrate five decades of Scottish Car Racing.
📁 Sport | 🕢 8am | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ £18

Artisan Market - Market showcasing the talents of local artisans, offering a wide variety of crafts, art, and specialty goods.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10am | 📍 St Andrews Town Hall | 🎟️ Free

Cupar Market - Independent producers and creatives, fresh produce and food, handmade crafts, and more.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10am | 📍 Crossgate, Cupar | 🎟️ Free

Kellie Castle Workshop: Paint it. Plant it. Watch it Grow - Join us at Kellie Castle & Garden for a creative gardening workshop for kids.
📁 Children | 🕢 10am & 2pm | 📍 Kellie Castle | 🎟️ £15

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

Fermenting in the Garden: Kimchi & Seasonal Garden Veg - Discover the art of fermentation in this practical, hands-on workshop.
📁 Food | 🕢 10am | 📍 Ravenscraig Walled Gardens | 🎟️ £35

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 | 🕢 10am | 📍 The Sanctuary Garden, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £40

Bee Day - Meet our Palace beekeeper, dive into the incredible world of these essential pollinators, and get hands-on with bee-themed arts and crafts.
📁 Family | 🕢 11am | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ Palace Admission

CWGC War Graves Week Tour 2026 - Join the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a free tour of Lochgelly Cemetery.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 11am | 📍 Lochgelly Cemetery | 🎟️ Free

Bounce in the Park - Weekend of bouncing, sliding & non-stop fun.
📁 Children | 🕢 12pm, 2:10pm & 4:20pm | 📍 Dunfermline Public Park | 🎟️ £12

Journey - An emotionally resonant contemporary circus experience from Cirqulation, Scotland’s travelling ensemble.
📁 Stage | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £13+

St Andrews Heritage Tour - Explore the iconic historic quarter of St Andrews with local guides with many stories.
📁 Tour | 🕢 2pm | 📍 St Andrews Heritage Museum | 🎟️ £12.50

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 | 🕢 2:30pm & 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £19.50+

100 Years Celebration of Laurel & Hardy - We are pleased to announce the brand new production of Neil Brand’s “Evening with Laurel & Hardy” 2026 Centenary Tour.
📁 Stage | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £25

80s/90s School Disco: The Return - Relive the magic of the playground, the school hall, and the end-of-term discos as the ultimate 80s & 90s School Disco experience.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 3pm | 📍 The Venue, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £16.75

Junior Productions 2026 National Championship - Featuring Junior Productions National Championship, Superstox, Ministox, CC Rods, and National Micro Bangers.
📁 Sport | 🕢 5pm | 📍 Lochgelly Raceway | 🎟️ £16

Stock Car, Banger, and Hot Rod Racing - The Racewall brings all the action from BriSCA F2, Saloon Stock Cars, Prostock Basics & Prostocks.
📁 Sport | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Cowdenbeath Racewall | 🎟️ £18.50

Cazza Events Volume 2 - Cazza Events returns to McQ's @ Coadys, Delivering more hard techno and hardcore bombs.
📁 Music | 🕢 6pm | 📍 McQ's @ Coadys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £3.50

Forspoken, Poetry & Open-Mic - Poetry night curated and co hosted by local poets Gabriela Milkova & Mike Yuill.
📁 Stage | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Aikman's Bar Bistro, St Andrews | 🎟️ Donation

Anstruther RNLI Naming Ceremony Ceilidh 2026 - Evening of ceilidh dancing, food and music to celebrate the naming of Anstruther RNLI's Shannon-class lifeboat!
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £11.55

Gary Meikle: Yer Maw - Come along and join us for a night full of laughter!!
📁 Comedy | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Civic Centre, Inverkiething | 🎟️ £29.96

Dunfermline Strathspey & Reel Society - Join us for an evening of mainly Scottish Traditional, toe tapping music.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13.50+

Lost In Music - Our world class band and dazzling vocals are set to transport you straight to the heart of disco fever.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £33

Carol McGee Psychic - Join Carol McGee Psychic medium live at Keavil House Hotel.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Keavil House Hotel, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27

Fife Traditional Singing Festival - Get ready to dive into some authentic traditional song and voices that'll have you singing along all night!
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Lumsden Memorial Hall, Freuchie | 🎟️ £13.70

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+

The Mersey Beatles - Fans of The Beatles prepare to be wowed by the world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to the Fab Four.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £30.50

Jamie Adamson and John Muir Jr - Performing originals and covers.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

Let There Be Drums - A unique night of drums and music. We have big band swing, ROCK AND ROLL, drum features and some audience participation.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £12

Gary Meikle: Yer Maw - Come along and join us for a night full of laughter!!
📁 Comedy | 🕢 9:30pm | 📍 Blyth Hall, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £29.95

Sunday, 17th May

Champions Of Scottish Car Racing - Enjoy a thrilling mix of championship battles and retro racing moments as we celebrate five decades of Scottish Car Racing.
📁 Sport | 🕢 8am | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ £18

Balgove Larder Car Boot Sale - A treasure trove of vintage and preloved homeware, clothing, jewellery, and unique finds.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10am | 📍 Balgove Larder Farm Shop & Café | 🎟️ Free

Foraging for Beginners - Foraging for complete beginners, family-friendly accessible event.
📁 Food | 🕢 11am | 📍 Aberdour | 🎟️ £25.08

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

Bounce in the Park - Weekend of bouncing, sliding & non-stop fun.
📁 Children | 🕢 12pm, 2:10pm & 4:20pm | 📍 Dunfermline Public Park | 🎟️ £12

Othello - Shakespeare’s Othello rages to life like never before in an explosive new production starring David Harewood OBE.
📁 Movie | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10+

Sunday Girl - Over two hours of Blondie hits from Scotland's finest Blondie tribute band.
📁 Music | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £24.20

Monday, 18th May

Pint of Science 2026: From Comics to the Cosmos - An informal and interactive event exploring the intersection between art and science.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Sandy's Bar @ The Union, St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

Energy Awareness: Awakening Soul Circle - Step into a warm, welcoming space where you can pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Lomond Hills Hotel, Cupar | 🎟️ £8

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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THANKS FOR READING

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

Cheers,

Duncan