🧭 Nuclear Submarines Coming to Fife Dockyard?

Good morning, Fifers!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Nuclear Submarines Coming to Fife Dockyard?

• 39 Events to See This Weekend

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

— Duncan

TODAY’S TOP STORY

☢️ Council Demands Public Say on Rosyth Nuclear Submarine Plans

Fife Council's South & West Fife Area Committee voted yesterday to demand a public consultation on UK Government plans to use Rosyth Dockyard as a contingency dock for Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines carrying Trident missiles.

The plans involve upgrading Number 3 Dock at Rosyth with £340 million of investment to serve as a backup facility for the new nuclear deterrent submarines during sea trials in the early 2030s. HMS Dreadnought will be too large to return to Barrow after launch, and with the UK's submarine fleet expanding significantly, additional capacity is needed beyond the existing facilities at Faslane and Devonport.

However, the emergency planning requirements have raised concerns locally. At December's committee meeting, Babcock and the Ministry of Defence confirmed that a Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) of between 0.5km and 1.5km radius around Number 3 Dock would be needed, potentially requiring the distribution of Potassium Iodide tablets to around half of Rosyth's population in the event of a radiological incident.

The motion requests that the Secretary of State for Defence hold a public consultation, acknowledging 'the seriousness of the implications of these plans and the impact any radiological accident or event would have on the local population.' The submarines would not carry nuclear warheads when docked at Rosyth, though they would have nuclear reactors on board.

It's worth noting that Rosyth already hosts seven decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines, which are currently being dismantled. With a renewed focus on UK defence readiness, proponents also point out that the upgrade would bring more skilled jobs and investment to Fife at a time when the region has seen a lot of difficult job news over the last few months.

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏡 Planning permission has been granted for 69 new homes at St Andrews West. The Braeburn phase will deliver one- to four-bedroom homes, with construction starting in March.

• 💼 Fife SMEs are benefiting from increased UK defence spending. Stirling Simulations in Aberdour and PowerPhotonic in Dalgety Bay were visited by MP Melanie Ward and Defence Minister Luke Pollard, highlighting the role of small local companies in defence procurement.

• 🏫 Dairsie Primary School is celebrating major success, with teacher Shannon Smith shortlisted for a UK Primary Science Teacher Award and headteacher Sarah Donald selected for the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme, adding to the school’s recent national awards for enterprise and green education.

• 👶 First-time parents in Fife are being urged to check they’re receiving both Child Benefit and Scottish Child Payment, as many families miss out. A quick benefits check could boost household income by over £100 a month per child. More details here.

• ⚠️ Production has now officially ended at the Mossmorran chemical plant after 40 years, with around 400 jobs at risk. ExxonMobil will fully decommission the site by early 2028. Scottish and UK governments have pledged support, including £9m in skills and employment initiatives.

• 🌳 Funding of £15,417 has been approved to improve Townhill Woods in Dunfermline, supporting safer access through tree removal, path upgrades, new boardwalks and a timber bridge, with works delivered by Rural Skills Scotland.

• 💧 Scottish Water has begun a £10.7m programme of improvements in Dalgety Bay, including new storm overflows, upgraded sewers, and temporary access roads. The multi-phase project, running through 2027, aims to reduce flooding, limit debris entering the Firth of Forth. More information here.

• 🏗️ Fife Council has approved four new affordable homes at Masterton, Dunfermline, funded through the Scottish Government and Council budgets. The project is planned to be completed by November.

• 🎓 The University of St Andrews has ranked 35th globally in the Times Higher Arts and Humanities World University Rankings 2026, scoring highly for research quality, teaching, and international outlook across subjects including History, Philosophy and Modern Languages.

• 🛥️ The 2026 Cruise Call Schedule for Rosyth and South Queensferry has been confirmed, with over dates booked in. Check all the dockings here if you want to catch these massive ships passing Fife.

• 🪶 Fife is to require new, larger buildings to include “swift bricks” to protect declining swift populations. The amendment to the Natural Environment Bill, backed by MSP Mark Ruskell, aims to provide safe nesting sites for these birds, whose numbers have fallen by two-thirds since 1995.

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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, 6th February

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

Tree Planting at Coul Den - Help plant 250 native tree species to benefit the local environment after the Back Burn river restoration project.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 Coul Reservoir, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

The Tears of Nerakhis: Pre-Show Panel - Conversation to examine the classical influences of Greek and Roman literature in the story.
📁 Talk | 🕢 5:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Cornfield Chase - Plus The Last Playground & Sha Rivari and The Maybes.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8

The Tears of Nerakhis - Fantasy musical tells the story of a human girl, Calanthe, who runs away to the mythical castle of the god Nerakhis.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £13+

Oh What A Night - Musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27

The Story of Soul - Climb aboard the Love Train for an unforgettable night packed with powerhouse performances.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £30+

Red Giant - Emerging blues rock band from the UK.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

Matt Scott - Classic soul and rock.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📅 Saturday, 7th February

Ermengarde's Legacy: Tour of the Winter Aconites of Balmerino Abbey - Step into history with this exclusive, ticket-only guided tour of Balmerino Abbey.
📁 Tour | 🕢 Various | 📍 Balmerino Abbey | 🎟️ £10

St Andrews Market - Independent producers and creatives, fresh produce and food, handmade crafts, and more.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10am | 📍 South Street, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Creative Writing Workshop - Unleash your imagination & hone your writing skills! All experience levels welcome!
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 The Art Project, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25

Garden Mini Quilt Workshop - Two-day mini quilt workshop celebrating the transition from winter to spring.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Forgan Arts Centre | 🎟️ £102

Mini Writing Retreat - Escape the noise, get cozy, and let your creativity flow at our chill in-person Mini Writing Retreat!
📁 Art | 🕢 12pm | 📍 The Art Project, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £12

Record Fair - Eclectic Vinyl are back with another Record Fair.
📁 Markets | 🕢 12:30pm | 📍 Forresters Arms, Aberdour | 🎟️ Free

Monster - A gripping coming-of-age psychological thriller following a mother entangled in a rapidly escalating school scandal.
📁 Movie | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6.50+

Boogie Days - Daytime disco with DJ Davie Ballantyne.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £9

Sasquatch Sunset - Absurdist fantasy about a year in the life of a Sasquatch family as they interact with the human world.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6.50+

Kings of Marigold - Fife based Beatles covers band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Leslie Town Hall | 🎟️ £12

Vincent Simone: Tango Passions - Strictly Come Dancing legend returns with a sizzling new show of love, desire, and drama.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £32+

Alfie Ramage and Lewis Moncur - Local fife band.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

John Verity - One of the most consistent performers on the blues rock circuit today.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

Bearfoot Comedy - Night of stand-up comedy.
📁 Comedy | 🕢 8pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £16.96

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, 8th February

Mindful Sunday Mornings - An opportunity for a mindful moment with art journaling and relaxed craft opportunities for adults.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

Write ON - Friendly and no pressure creative writing group for amateur and unpublished writers.
📁 Art | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Orange Claw Hammer - The band take the music of Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band and bend it into shape for the 21st century.
📁 Music | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £24.20

Caravaggio - This beautiful new film reveals Caravaggio as never before.
📁 Movie | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10+

Mindful Art Pour & Sip: Valentines Special - Use fluid art pouring techniques to create a beautiful painted wooden heart, whilst enjoying a glass of Prosecco.
📁 Art | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 Balmalcolm Den | 🎟️ £32

Community Sauna - Our wood-fired sauna is held outdoors at the beautiful Kinghorn Loch. Come and relax, restore, and step into the new year.
📁 Sport | 🕢 2:50pm & 4:15pm | 📍 Kinghorn Loch | 🎟️ £5+

Burns Ceilidh - New year, new things to try, right? Burns night, it is not just about poems and not just about dancing, it is you connected to Scotland.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 4pm | 📍 Culross Stables | 🎟️ Donation

📅 Monday, 9th February

After School Crafts: Valentines Crafts - Join us for some valentines themed arts and crafts after school. Make something for your valentine or for a friend.
📁 Children | 🕢 3:15pm | 📍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

🎉 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

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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Cheers,

Duncan