🧭 New Fife Train Station Plans Revived

Good morning, Fifers!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Have Your Say on the Forth Bridge's Future

• New Fife Train Station Plans Revived

• 51 Events to See This Weekend

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

— Duncan

TODAY’S TOP STORY

🚉 Halbeath Rail Station Back on the Agenda

You may remember from last month when we reported on the Greens' new Breaking the Circle Strategy, which proposed bringing a new train station to Halbeath, amongst others. Well, it looks like this proposal may have had some effect, with Fife Council now including it in their 10-year transport plan.

The Cowdenbeath Area Transport Plan 2025-35, which includes more than 100 actions, commits the council to "investigate the feasibility of opening a railway station at Halbeath Park and Ride". The busy park and ride facility has 1,000 parking bays and sits directly beside the Fife Circle railway line, making it an obvious candidate for a rail halt that would give commuters far more travel options.

The idea was first raised back in 2013 at the opening of the £10 million park and ride, with the then transport spokesman suggesting it could be delivered for around £7 million and calling it a "no-brainer". However, lack of funding and concerns about its proximity to Dunfermline Queen Margaret station saw the project shelved.

Whether this station finally becomes reality after more than a decade of talk remains to be seen, but at least it's back on the official agenda, and this time, with backing from both council planners and the Scottish Greens, it might just have more momentum behind it.

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏊 Cowdenbeath Area Committee has approved over £15,500 to expand the Learn to Swim programme in local schools to ensure children in Benarty, Cardenden, and Lochgelly can swim before leaving primary school.

• 🏨 St Andrews’ Hotel du Vin has completed a further £300,000, adding to a previous £1.1 million investment, and has increased its workforce by 20% ahead of the 2027 Open Championship.

• 🎨 Kirkcaldy primary six pupil Hollie Bell from Fair Isle Primary School has won MP Melanie Ward’s 2025 Christmas card competition. Her design, featuring the Forth Bridge and a flying Santa sleigh, was chosen from over 100 entries and has been made into the MP’s official Christmas card.

• 🎓 Fife College welcomed First Minister John Swinney MSP to officially mark the completion of its new Dunfermline City Campus, part of the Dunfermline Learning Campus that co-locates Fife College, St Columba’s RC High School, and Woodmill High School.

• 🎄 Burntisland's Sugar Plum Loft, transformed into a festive winter wonderland each year by homeowner Emily Watson, has been named runner-up in Scotland’s Christmas Home of the Year 2025, narrowly missing out on first place.

• ✉️ The Royal Mail has warned that residents in Glenrothes could experience delays to Christmas deliveries due to high levels of sickness, with all KY6 and KY7 postcodes potentially affected.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

🌉 Have Your Say on the Forth Bridge's Future

The management plan for the Forth Bridge is being updated for the next decade, and the public is being invited to help shape how the UNESCO World Heritage Site is protected and managed.

The iconic railway bridge was granted World Heritage status in July 2015, and UNESCO requires all such sites to maintain a management plan that coordinates the interests of organisations, groups and individuals while maximising benefits and minimising negative impacts from the designation.

You can provide feedback by completing an online questionnaire here by March 31st. There's also a public meeting on January 20th at the Contact & Education Centre in South Queensferry (6pm-8pm), plus several drop-in sessions throughout January that will provide more information:

• Jan 14th, 1pm-4pm: Rosebery Hall, South Queensferry

• Jan 15th, 10am-2pm: Inverkeithing Civic Centre

• Jan 15th, 3.30pm-7pm: North Queensferry Community Complex

• Jan 19th, 10am-1pm: Parkgate Centre, Rosyth

• Jan 20th, 2pm-5pm: Contact & Education Centre, South Queensferry

• Jan 22nd, 11am-2pm: South Queensferry Library

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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, 19th December

Falkland Palace Christmas Trail - With frosty paths, sparkling snowflakes and the scent of crisp winter air, it's a perfect family day out.
📁 Family | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £1+

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

It's a Wonderful Life - As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback.
📁 Movie | 🕢 11am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

Aladdin - Join Aladdin as he sets off on a bonkers Highland adventure in this Scottish take on the classic tale.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 2pm & 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25+

Oor Wee Mammy McGoose - The Best Wee Panto in Scotland returns with a Brand Spanking New Production.
📁 Panto | 🕢 2:30pm & 7:30pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

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+

Aladdin: Unleash the Genie - Soar into a whole new world this Christmas with Aladdin, the spellbinding family pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Snow White - This year we are thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White.
📁 Panto | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25.50+

Fife Nativity Play - Taking place in the ruins of Lindores Abbey including live animals and an atmospheric backdrop.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Lindores Abbey Distillery | 🎟️ £5.50+

Shiski Disco - You’ll never have more fun than at Shiski Disco!
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️

Big Country - Big Country play a huge hometown show at Dunfermline Glen Pavilion as part of their Eastworld UK tour.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £43.45

Home Alone - Classic Christmas Caper with drinks and snacks on arrival, 6 course tasting menu as you eat along with Kevin.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Earls Hall Castle | 🎟️ £55

Idle Minds - Local indie band Idle Minds take to the stage with support from the Young Cats and Cammy Cairns!
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 The Monarch Bar, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £6

Nativity! The Musical - The heart-warming, laugh out loud festive blockbuster film is now the perfect musical for the whole family!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18+

Christmas Party Comedy Show - Join us for the funniest Christmas party in town!
📁 Comedy | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Cupar Corn Exchange | 🎟️ £27.75

Christmas Party with Tres Hombres - The 3rd Annual Tres Hombres Christmas Show with Mark "Marrakesh" Burdette, David "Dov" Stevens and John Anaya.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Humpback Recording, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📅 Saturday, 20th December

Falkland Palace Christmas Trail - With frosty paths, sparkling snowflakes and the scent of crisp winter air, it's a perfect family day out.
📁 Family | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £1+

Breakfast with Santa - Start your festive season with a magical morning you’ll never forget!
📁 Children | 🕢 9am | 📍 Fife Zoo | 🎟️ £20

Breakfast with Santa and Ceilidh - Bring the kids to something special this Christmas with a visit from Santa Claus himself!
📁 Family | 🕢 9:30am | 📍 Forgans St Andrews | 🎟️ £17.50+

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

Christmas Table Decoration Workshop - You will have the chance to create your own stunning seasonal centrepiece to take home, with all materials provided.
📁 Art | 🕢 11am | 📍 Craigtoun Country Park | 🎟️ £55

Aladdin: Unleash the Genie - Soar into a whole new world this Christmas with Aladdin, the spellbinding family pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 11am, 3pm & 7pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Snow White - This year we are thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 6pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25.50+

Aladdin - Join Aladdin as he sets off on a bonkers Highland adventure in this Scottish take on the classic tale.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 2pm & 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £27+

The Snowman - The classic family Christmas with a live accompaniment.
📁 Movie | 🕢 2pm & 6pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £7.50+

The McDougalls: Winter Wonderland - Auntie Aggie, Max, and Morag the Rabbit are spreading Christmas cheer, but the naughty Winter Witch is causing trouble.
📁 Children | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £14

Oor Wee Mammy McGoose - The Best Wee Panto in Scotland returns with a Brand Spanking New Production.
📁 Panto | 🕢 2:30pm & 7:30pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Nativity! The Musical - The heart-warming, laugh out loud festive blockbuster film is now the perfect musical for the whole family!
📁 Stage | 🕢 2:30pm & 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18+

Yuletide in the Woods - We’ll make lanterns, embark on a wintery woodland adventure and sip hot chocolate around the fire.
📁 Family | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Forgan Arts Centre | 🎟️ £3+

Fife Nativity Play - Taking place in the ruins of Lindores Abbey including live animals and an atmospheric backdrop.
📁 Stage | 🕢 4pm & 7pm | 📍 Lindores Abbey Distillery | 🎟️ £5.50+

Velour Amour - 5 piece premier band covering songs from the 60s through to now.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £7.21

📅 Sunday, 21st December

Falkland Palace Christmas Trail - With frosty paths, sparkling snowflakes and the scent of crisp winter air, it's a perfect family day out.
📁 Family | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £1+

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

Game ON - Casual gaming club with a huge range of board games.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 12:30pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Aladdin: Unleash the Genie - Soar into a whole new world this Christmas with Aladdin, the spellbinding family pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 5pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Snow White - This year we are thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 6pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25.50+

Christmas Nativity - A retelling of the first Christmas led by The Anchor Church Fife. The nativity will be followed by festive refreshments.
📁 Family | 🕢 2pm | 📍 The Institute, Aberdour | 🎟️ Free

Fife Nativity Play - Taking place in the ruins of Lindores Abbey including live animals and an atmospheric backdrop.
📁 Stage | 🕢 4pm & 7pm | 📍 Lindores Abbey Distillery | 🎟️ £5.50+

Walk the Path of Light on the Longest Night - A solar lit labyrinth brings light into the darkness and a reminder that the days now begin to get longer.
📁 Family | 🕢 4:30pm | 📍 Castlecliffe, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Carol Services: Viewfield Baptist Church - Traditional Carol Service.
📁 Music | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Viewfield Baptist Church, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📅 Monday, 22nd December

Snow White - This year we are thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White.
📁 Panto | 🕢 1pm & 7pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25.50+

Aladdin - Join Aladdin as he sets off on a bonkers Highland adventure in this Scottish take on the classic tale.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 2pm & 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £27+

Aladdin: Unleash the Genie - Soar into a whole new world this Christmas with Aladdin, the spellbinding family pantomime.
📁 Panto | 🕢 2pm & 7pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Oor Wee Mammy McGoose - The Best Wee Panto in Scotland returns with a Brand Spanking New Production.
📁 Panto | 🕢 2:30pm & 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £14+

Christmas Rocks - Get in the Christmas spirit by singing along and dancing to all your favourite Christmas Hits.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 St Andrews Town Hall | 🎟️ £20

🎉 Multi-Day Events & Exhibitions

Santa’s Grotto - Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Dunfermline, and this year it's even more magical!
📅 Sun, 23rd November - Wed, 24th December | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Dobbies, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £14+

Collecting the Contemporary: Scottish Art at Kirkcaldy Galleries - This display features works by modern and contemporary painters who were inspired by Scotland.
📅 Fri, 31st January - Wed, 31st December | 🕢 10am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 - Collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces.
📅 Tue, 4th March - Thu, 15th January 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity - Special preview evening filled with live music, drinks, and creative activities.
📅 Sat, 18th October - Sun, 15th February 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum | 🎟️ 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 2026 | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum | 🎟️ 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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Cheers,

Duncan