🧭 More Late-Night Festival Trains for Fifers

Good morning, Fifers!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• More Late-Night Trains for Fifers

• Is Fife Really That Bad for Roadworks?

• 73 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🚧 Is Fife Really That Bad for Roadworks?

While reading a recent BBC article on the rise of roadworks across Scotland, and after sitting through more than a few slow temporary traffic lights this summer, I decided to dig into how Fife compares to the rest of the country. Are we really as plagued by roadworks as it feels?

According to data from the Scottish Road Works Commissioner, roadworks across Scotland are up 28% compared to pre-Covid levels. That’s a huge jump! Of course, many of these works are necessary and often overdue, and sometimes it feels like we could do with more, not fewer. But that doesn't make hitting delays during the summer months any less frustrating.

So how does Fife stack up? In 2024/25, there were 9,069 recorded roadworks in Fife. That’s 5.5% of all roadworks in Scotland, putting us firmly in the top five:

1. City of Glasgow: 12,660 (7.6%)

2. City of Edinburgh: 11,536 (6.9%)

3. South Lanarkshire: 11,413 (6.9%)

4. North Lanarkshire: 9,859 (5.9%)

5. Fife: 9,069 (5.5%)

But here’s where things get interesting. When you account for the size of our road network, Fife doesn’t actually do too badly. On a per-kilometre basis, Fife ranks 14th, with 3.47 roadworks per km, well behind Edinburgh, which tops the list with 7.36 per km.

With 2,614 km of roads (4.6% of Scotland’s total), Fife’s road network is one of the largest, which helps put those headline numbers in context. So yes, we’ve got our fair share of cones and delays, but we’re not the worst, not by a long shot.

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🎠 Fife Council has revealed the new £100k design for Netherton Gardens play park in Kelty, packed with inclusive features like a toddler train, sensory panels, and somersault bars, shaped by local feedback.

• 🌾 Bankhead Farm near Cairneyhill is up for sale at offers over £1.8M. This 155-acre mixed arable and livestock farm includes a five-bed farmhouse with stunning Forth views.

• 🏖️ Beach behaviour in Aberdour has significantly improved this summer after last year’s issues, thanks to better facilities, increased patrols, and coordinated efforts from local services and the community council.

• ⛳ Scottish golfers have another chance to play St Andrews’ Castle and Jubilee Courses for just £20 this autumn, as The Drive initiative returns with discounted tee times. You can apply here.

• 🚛 Two Fife College apprentices, Lewis Somerscale and Kieran Mitchell, will represent Scotland at the WorldSkills UK National Finals in Heavy Vehicle Technology this November.

• 💙 Fife Health Charity's 2024–2025 Impact Report reveals over £500k in grants awarded to projects supporting patients, NHS staff, and communities, from bereavement care to VR medical training.

• 🚶‍♂️ The Dunfermline to Crossford path is under fire for being unsafe and “not fit for purpose”. campaigners say delays to a £1.5M upgrade leave walkers braving potholes, puddles, and oncoming traffic.

• 🌉 Ten protesters were arrested after abseiling from the Forth Road Bridge on Friday in a demonstration against a fracked gas tanker heading to Grangemouth. The bridge reopened Saturday at 11am.

• 🅿️ Leven Promenade car park will be closed overnight on August 5 and 6 from 6pm to 7am for ground investigations after an old ferry ramp was discovered beneath the surface. Drivers are urged to move vehicles to avoid relocation.

AROUND FIFE

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

🚆 More Late-Night Trains to Help Fifers Catch the Fringe

Anyone who’s ever tried to see a late Fringe show knows the pain, you’re laughing through the final act, then suddenly glancing at your watch wondering if you’ve missed the last train back over the bridge. Well, good news this year: ScotRail has added extra late-night services during the Edinburgh Festival, making it a little easier to enjoy the fun without sprinting to Waverley (I’ve been there!).

For Fifers, there’s a new special Friday night service running from 1–25 August. It leaves Edinburgh at 23:59 and heads to Glenrothes via Dunfermline, perfect for squeezing in one last pint or catching a late comedy gig. ScotRail will also be putting on more carriages across services during the festival to ease those busy peak times.

We still think Fife deserves more than just the one late train, but this is a welcome start — and no doubt I’ll be making use of it. If you’re travelling elsewhere, there are also extra services to Glasgow, North Berwick, Perth, and Dundee. You can find full details on ScotRail’s dedicated festival service page here.

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

⭐ Featured Event

📅 Tuesday, 29th July

Bobbin Babies - Songs, rhymes and sensory fun for under 3s and their loved ones.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 9:30am | 📍 Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum | 🎟️ Free

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Burntisland Library | 🎟️ Free

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Benarty Library | 🎟️ Free

Crafty Kist Drop-In - Decorate your own mini kist to take home.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 3:30pm | 📍 Cardenden Library | 🎟️ Free

Cheese and Wine Night - Enjoy a glass of wine of your choice and a chessboard.
📁 Food & Drink | 🕢 5:00pm | 📍 The Old Vic, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Miss Saigon - Recording of a live performance, from 2014, of the stage musical set during the Vietnam War.
📁 Movie | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £1+

An Evening with Liz Berg - Liz Berg will be in store to talk about her book of Jewish Folk Tales.
📁 Talk | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Waterstones, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

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

Ladyboys of Bangkok - The Lady Boys return in 2025 with a brand new, must-see show packed with energy, sparkle and surprises.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £24.50+

📅 Wednesday, 30th July

Escape Room Experience: The Last Exhibit - Can you escape the Bell Pettigrew Museum that has been taken over by a rogue technology?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 10am | 📍 Cupar Library | 🎟️ Free

Teddy Bears Picnic - Bear themed tale and craft, finishing with a tasty teddy bears picnic and tea/coffee for parents.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11:00am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £6

Coalscapes Family Workshop - Family event exploring the geology, ecology and landscape of the former Comrie Colliery.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Comrie Colliery | 🎟️ Free

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 12:15pm | 📍 St Monans Library | 🎟️ Free

Seeds of Thought: A Lunchtime Talk with Claire Cousins - Mars and the interface between art and science.
📁 Talk | 🕢 12:30pm | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden | 🎟️ £3

Family Film Afternoon - Free family film afternoon.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Forthview Parish Church, Dalgety Bay | 🎟️ Free

International Friendship Day - Washi tape and wool friendship bracelets.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 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.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Leslie Library | 🎟️ Free

Stock Car Summer Series - The second and final Stock Car Wednesday Night Summer Series event is back!
📁 Sport | 🕢 4:30pm | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ £15

Weave a Willow Heart - Create a beautiful willow heart for your home or garden at our hands-on workshop.
📁 Art | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Abbeyview Community Hub, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £35

Kassidy - Scottish alternative folk rock band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £30.25

Ladyboys of Bangkok - The Lady Boys return in 2025 with a brand new, must-see show packed with energy, sparkle and surprises.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £24.50+

Music Dialogues: Kathleen Scheide, Hilary Norris - Multi-faceted musical dialogue in the intimate setting of St Leonard's Chapel.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 St Leonard's Chapel, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

📅 Thursday, 31st July

Escape Room Experience: The Last Exhibit - Can you escape the Bell Pettigrew Museum that has been taken over by a rogue technology?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Rocket League Bootcamp - Enhance your skills in car control, aerials, and teamwork through fun activities and mini tournaments!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 9am | 📍 Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.80

WEA Summer Crafts - 6 week adult craft course. Everything from summer wreath making to sea glass art.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Templehall Library | 🎟️ Free

Felting Fingers - Wet Felting with Jean Drysdale.
📁 Art | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Fife Folk Museum

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Dalgety Bay Library | 🎟️ Free

Fortnite Frenzy - Level up your skills with epic building, combat tactics, and fun team challenges.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.80

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Rosyth Library | 🎟️ Free

WEA Summer Crafts - 6 week adult craft course. Everything from summer wreath making to sea glass art.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Kennoway Library | 🎟️ Free

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

Summer Holiday Workshop: Animate the Future - Build, hack, animate, and travel through time with our hands-on, future-focused workshops!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Artie’s Singing Kettle - Nostalgic journey filled with music and fun for the whole family.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10+

Cool Creatures - Say hello to some of the most curious, cute and Cool Creatures this summer holidays.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 3:30pm | 📍 Valleyfield Library | 🎟️ Free

My Darling Clementine - King and Dalgleish have reinvented the Country duet.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12

Ladyboys of Bangkok - The Lady Boys return in 2025 with a brand new, must-see show packed with energy, sparkle and surprises.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £24.50+

Douglas Reed: William Albright An American Original - Performing music by America's foremost avant-garde composer for organ.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

📅 Friday, 1st August

Escape Room Experience: The Last Exhibit - Can you escape the Bell Pettigrew Museum that has been taken over by a rogue technology?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Bell Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £15

Rocket League Bootcamp - Enhance your skills in car control, aerials, and teamwork through fun activities and mini tournaments!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 9am | 📍 Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.80

Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📁 Market | 🕢 9am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

Wee Wardlaws: Wonderful Weather - Help your little one explore the world around them through museum objects, stories, songs, crafts and things to do and spot.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 10am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Hillview Animal Park: Summer Visits - Come along and meet our friendly animals.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 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.
📁 Art | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Fife Zoo | 🎟️ £50

Big Seaweed Search - Join this fun and free citizen science event to help track seaweed and coastal change on Fife’s shoreline!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Dysart Harbour Car Park | 🎟️ Free

Drop-in Lego Session - Build cars, houses, dinosaurs- you name it, if you can imagine it you can build it!
📁 Family 7 Children | 🕢 11am & 2pm | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Fortnite Frenzy - Level up your skills with epic building, combat tactics, and fun team challenges.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.80

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

Grass to Grill Tour - A showcase of our organic farming landscape and produce from Balcaskie.
📁 Food & Drink | 🕢 4:00pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £65

A Real Pain - Two cousins embark on a tour of Poland in honour of their beloved Jewish grandmother.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £6

Meryl Streek - Politically-outspoken Irish avant garde punk producer.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £16.50

Splintered Halo - Support from The Starry Wisdom Cult and Kamihamiha!
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8

The Ultimate Irish Hooley - Irelands No.1 Folk n Roll band, Keltic Storm, and an all-star cast of award winning musicians and singers.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £27

Fons Scotia - Single release including special guests.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 The Monarch Bar, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £8

Gimme Abba - For over 25 years, this sensational ABBA tribute has been captivating audiences worldwide.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25

Open Mic Night - Bring your talents, your friends, and your sense of adventure to a night full of creativity.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

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

🎉 Multi-Day Festivals & 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

Coastlines - Exhibition showcasing dynamic drawings by Fife school pupils.
📅 Thu, 10th July - Sat, 2nd August | 🕢 11am (Wed-Fri) & 1pm (Sat) | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

Aberdour Festival - Packed 10 day programme of family activities, workshops, music, and more.
📅 Fri, 25th July - Sun, 3rd August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Aberdour | 🎟️ Varies

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

Pittenweem Arts Festival - An inspiring journey through creativity, community, and the vibrant village.
📅 Sat, 2nd - Sat, 9th August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Pittenweem | 🎟️ Varies

Cafe Inc - Free lunch club for children and young people.
📅 Mon, 7th July - Sun, 17th August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Across Fife | 🎟️ Varies

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust’s Summer Programme - Quid a Kid, weekly activity sessions, sport drop-ins, crafting, family fun days, and more.
📅 Mon, 7th July - Sun, 17th August | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Across Fife | 🎟️ Varies

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+

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

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

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

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

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

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

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