🧭 Starfish Blanket Fife Beach

Good morning, Fifers!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• Fifer Up For Prestigious Mercury Prize

• Starfish Blanket Fife Beach

• 68 Events to See This Weekend

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

— Duncan

SPONSORED BY LANGTOUN JAZZ

🎷 Exciting Young Jazz Musicians Heading to Kirkcaldy

Langtoun Jazz are delighted to welcome Jack Pearce Quintet to St Bryce Kirk on 4th October as one of only 2 Scottish dates on their upcoming Autumn tour.

Saxophonist Jack and his band hail from Leeds and are all in their 20s, but they are already making waves on the UK jazz scene 

Tickets are £14 plus booking fee online. Advance booking is important for us to be sure of a good audience.

Doors open at 7:30pm, and the concert will take place from 8:00pm to 10:00pm, with an interval.

👉 Book your tickets here – don’t miss out!

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🌊 Starfish Blanket Fife Beach

Fife’s coastline has seen plenty of natural drama over the years, from stormy seas to migrating marine life. This week, Kirkcaldy promenade became the focus of attention when thousands of starfish washed up along the beach and nearby rocky shores.

The mass stranding is thought to have been caused by strong onshore winds and rough seas, which can dislodge starfish and other shallow-water invertebrates from the seabed. Experts describe a phenomenon called “starballing,” where starfish curl into a ball and float with the tide, increasing the chances of ending up on the beach.

The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust carried out inspections and said the best approach is to allow the tides to reclaim the starfish naturally, while monitoring the situation. Residents are advised to keep dogs under control, as starfish can be poisonous if eaten.

Incidents like this are not unheard of along Scotland’s east coast, and often happen when tides, winds, and even the full moon align to create unusually high or low water levels. While it may be a strange sight, experts say it is part of the natural cycle of marine life, and occasionally presents an opportunity for locals to help living starfish back into the water. [BBC]

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🍰 Fife College’s award-winning student-run restaurant, The Academy in Kirkcaldy, is launching a new afternoon tea service from 8 October, offering savoury bites, pastries, scones, and teas prepared by hospitality students.

• 🌲 Plans for two glamping pods and two log cabins at Fordell Estate woodland have been approved by Fife Council, adding to the area’s growing holiday accommodation options near Fordell Firs Scout Campsite.

• 🥫 Aldi stores across Fife have donated over 18,000 meals to families in need this summer, working with local charities and foodbanks through the Neighbourly platform to support communities during the school holidays.

• 🐃 A Kirkcaldy farmer has been left devastated after two pregnant water buffalo drowned in mud at The Buffalo Farm. Firefighters rescued four others using inflatables and a forklift during the operation.

• 🏡 Cruden Homes has secured approval for a 39-home development in Pittenweem, featuring restored historic buildings, energy-efficient new builds, EV chargers, and biodiversity measures, with work starting later this year.

• ⚠️ Fife pupils given iPads under the £50m Transforming Learning scheme have been told to return chargers after a manufacturing fault was found, with replacement plugs to be issued soon.

• 🚁 Strathmiglo Primary pupils will welcome Scotland’s newest H145 D3 air ambulance helicopter on September 16th, after winning SCAA’s Skyward Schools Challenge, which raised over £78,000 for the charity’s life-saving service.

• 🚨 Fife Council has launched a new online reporting form to tackle anti-social behaviour, making it easier for residents to flag issues like youth disorder, fire-raising, off-road bikes, and underage drinking. You can access the form here.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

Each week, this section shines a spotlight on something standout in Fife, anything from a unique home for sale or a new local business, to an exciting upcoming event or a hidden gem staycation spot. Got something you think other locals should know about? Just hit reply to this email and tell us about it!

🎤 Fifer Up For Prestigious Mercury Prize

The Mercury Prize is one of the UK’s most prestigious music awards, recognising the best album released by an act from the UK or Ireland. Since launching in 1992, winners have ranged from legends like Primal Scream to rising stars such as English Teacher, who won last year. Winning can be transformative, with James Blake seeing a 2,500% surge in album sales after his 2013 win.

While Billy Reekie has been grabbing local headlines this year with sold-out hometown shows and tracks climbing the charts, it’s another young Fifer who’s in the spotlight this time. Jacob Alon, a 24-year-old Indie Folk artist from Dunfermline, has been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize with their debut album In Limerence.

It’s a huge achievement for a debut record, and with the winner to be announced on October 16th, we’ll be cheering Jacob on to hopefully bring the prize back to Fife. Check out the full shortlist of nominees here.

@THEFIFEINSIDER

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

Below you’ll find what’s on in Fife over the next few days. For a longer outlook, Fife Insider+ members see two weeks of events every Sunday night. 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, 12th September

Bike Tour of St. Andrews - Join Stuart’s Bicycle Tours for a fun, relaxed, and engaging guided ride through this iconic town and its stunning surroundings.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 9:30am & 2:30pm | 📍 11 College St, St Andrews | 🎟️ £46+

Adam Smith Heritage Tour - Explore the world of Adam Smith, the Kirkcaldy man, philosopher, economist, and visionary.
📁 Tour | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Adam Smith Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

The Rocky Horror Show - Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show comes to Dunfermline.
📁 Stage | 🕢 5pm & 8.30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £23.10+

An Evening of James Taylor By Vernon James - Happily lose yourself in the dulcet tones and sweet melodies of the finest songs written in the last half a century.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £24.20

Ben Ottewell - Known for his unmistakable voice and talent for blistering and inspired guitar solos.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £22

Definition: This Kinda Feeling - Single launch gig at The Windsor Hotel.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Windsor Hotel, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £7

The Dance Academy Showcase 2025 - Choreography to uplift and stimulate your senses, another 2 hrs of enjoyment and entertainment.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £12+

Sunset Sauna & Sea Swim - Begin with a refreshing sea swim, then step into the warmth of our wood-fired sauna.
📁 Sport | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Largo Castaway Sauna | 🎟️ £25

Fantastic Four: First Steps - Forced to balance their roles as heroes with their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5+

Next to Normal - Award-winning musical explores mental health and family with a soaring rock score.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10+

Dalgety Players: Disney's High School Musical - Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life on your stage!
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:15pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £16+

Dunfermline Dramatic Society: The Ghost Train (Revised) - Six passengers find themselves stranded late at night in the waiting-room of an isolated Cornish railway station.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £12+

T-Bone Duffy and Kim Seymour - Relaxing evening of live music.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📅 Saturday, 13th September

Scottish Championship Car Racing: Round 4 - Thrilling finale of the SLS Championship, with both days running in the exciting clockwise direction.
📁 Sport | 🕢 8am | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ Varies

Fife Makers and Artists - Arts & craft fayre.
📁 Market | 🕢 10am | 📍 Corn Exchange, Cupar | 🎟️ Free

Doors Open Day: Design Suite - Ever wondered what happens inside the Design Suite at Adam Smith Theatre?
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

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

Intro to Sea Kayak - Explore the fundamentals and basic skills of Sea Kayaking.
📁 Sport | 🕢 10am | 📍 Lochore Meadows Country Park | 🎟️ £21

Summer Wildlife Walk - Celebrate all that summer has delivered, by getting active on a guided walk alongside Rosyth’s burns and woodlands.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 Middlebank Street Car Park, Rosyth | 🎟️ Free

Arts & Crafts Fayre - Huge range of talented crafters showcasing their wares.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10am | 📍 Corn Exchange, Cupar | 🎟️ Free

Kirkcaldy Comic Con - Scotland's largest free comic convention.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10am | 📍 Mercat Shopping Centre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Walk ON - Casual and relaxing group promoting the health benefits of walking and socialising.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 11am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Heidi: Rescue of the Lynx - A timeless classic reimagined, combining breathtaking visuals, thrilling adventure, and a powerful environmental message.
📁 Movie | 🕢 11am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5+

National Vegetable Society Championships - Growers and enthusiasts from across Scotland showcase the best produce the country has to offer.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Dobbies Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

Fife Fest - Great weekend of music and family friendly entertainment from some of the Top Tribute Bands in the UK.
📁 Music | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Silverburn Park | 🎟️ £50.35

The Dance Academy Showcase 2025 - Choreography to uplift and stimulate your senses, another 2 hrs of enjoyment and entertainment.
📁 Stage | 🕢 1:30pm & 7pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £12+

Fantastic Four: First Steps - Forced to balance their roles as heroes with their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god.
📁 Movie | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5+

The Ultimate Bubble Show - Ray uses various gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays.
📁 Stage | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10+

Dalgety Players: Disney's High School Musical - Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life on your stage!
📁 Stage | 🕢 2:15pm & 7:15pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £16+

Freakier Friday - 22 years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter.
📁 Movie | 🕢 4pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5+

The Spirits of the Palace: After Hours Tours - Join us on an exclusive tour of the Palace and find out the fascinating spirits of Culross Palace.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 5pm | 📍 Culross Palace | 🎟️ £25

Superstox John Gibson Memorial - 2.0 Bangers Pete Mcvay Memorial, Superstox John Gibson Memorial Event, and more.
📁 Sport | 🕢 5pm | 📍 Lochgelly Raceway | 🎟️ £15

The Rocky Horror Show - Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show comes to Dunfermline.
📁 Stage | 🕢 5pm & 8.30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £23.10+

Prostock Basics Scottish Championship - Saloon Stock Cars, ORCi Stock Rods, Prostocks, and more.
📁 Sport | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Cowdenbeath Racewall | 🎟️ £18.50

Falkland Palace Ghost Tours - After-hours journey through the dark history and ghostly legends of Falkland Palace.
📁 Tour | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Falkland Palace | 🎟️ £15+

The Quiggs - Married Scottish/Danish folk duo.
📁 Music | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Leslie Town Hall | 🎟️ £10.84

The Lorna Brooks Band - Brooks' ability to blend jazz, blues, and folk influences gives her music a timeless quality.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12

Weapons - All but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night, a community is left questioning what happened.
📁 Movie | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £6.50+

Dunfermline Dramatic Society: The Ghost Train (Revised) - Six passengers find themselves stranded late at night in the waiting-room of an isolated Cornish railway station.
📁 Stage | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £12+

Scotty Mitchell - Solo musician from Dunfermline delivering dynamic set that span the decades, from Johnny Cash to Harry Styles.
📁 Music | 🕢 8:30pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

Forgan's St Andrews Ceilidh - Head to Forgan’s and experience one of our unforgettable ceilidhs.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10pm | 📍 Forgans St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

📅 Sunday, 14th September

Scottish Championship Car Racing: Round 4 - Thrilling finale of the SLS Championship, with both days running in the exciting clockwise direction.
📁 Sport | 🕢 8am | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ Varies

Glenrothes Park & Pick - Sellers set up from 7:30am at £10 per car, raising money for local charities and schools in the Glenrothes area.
📁 Market | 🕢 9am | 📍 Morrisons Car Park, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Varies

Bike Tour of St. Andrews - Join Stuart’s Bicycle Tours for a fun, relaxed, and engaging guided ride through this iconic town and its stunning surroundings.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 9:30am | 📍 11 College St, St Andrews | 🎟️ £46+

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

Bowhill Highland Games - Sports, culture, and community through the competitive sports of Highland Dancing, Heavy Athletics, Races, and Bagpipes.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Wallsgreen Park, Bowhill | 🎟️ Free

National Vegetable Society Championships - Growers and enthusiasts from across Scotland showcase the best produce the country has to offer.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 11am | 📍 Dobbies Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

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

Freakier Friday - 22 years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter.
📁 Movie | 🕢 12pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5+

Fighting for the Covenant - An event explaining the covenant, its St Andrews connections and the Scottish soldier of the 17th century.
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 12pm | 📍 St Andrews Castle | 🎟️ £10

Fife Fest - Great weekend of music and family friendly entertainment from some of the Top Tribute Bands in the UK.
📁 Music | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Silverburn Park | 🎟️ £50.35

Twinkling Autumn Wreath Workshop - Peaceful morning of seasonal creativity and mindfulness and create a gorgeous autumn wreath!
📁 Art | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Deborah Cameron Creative Artist Studio, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £55

Highland Cow Experience - Meet our beautiful gang and learn more about their role here at Kinkell!
📁 Family & Children | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Kinkell Byre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £20

Steam Sundays - Travel behind our narrow-gauge steam engine Big Dave!
📁 Family | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Lathalmond Railway Museum | 🎟️ £6

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

Who’s Better Who’s Best (Who Tribute) - Best Who tribute show you've seen!
📁 Music | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £19.80

Monty Pythons Holy Grail - King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table sets out to find the Holy Grail!
📁 Movie | 🕢 2pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

Materialists - A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.
📁 Movie | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £6.50+

📅 Monday, 15th September

Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones. 📁 Family & Children | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

A Fete Worse Than Death - Come along on this murder mystery walk to look for clues, interpret evidence, and help the police to solve the case!
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Ravenscraig Park, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12.50

Dane Baptiste - Innovator and incendiary voice in the comedy community.
📁 Comedy | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Blyth Hall, Newport-on-Tay | 🎟️ £19.70

🎉 Multi-Day Festivals & Exhibitions

Fife Seaweed Fest - Explore the wonderful world of seaweed in our packed programme of workshops which include foraging, cooking, tasting and making.
📅 Sat, 6th - Sun, 14th September | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Fife | 🎟️ Varies

Fife Outdoor Activities Week - A week of outdoor activies put on by local businesses, from paddleboarding to yoga and more.
📅 Sat, 6th - Sun, 14th September | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Fife | 🎟️ Varies

Doors Open Days - Giving everyone the chance to explore Fife’s rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage.
📅 Fri, 5th - Sun, 21st September| 🕢 Varies | 📍 Fife | 🎟️ Free

📍 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

Fife Insider+ members got these events two weeks early. Upgrade today to get 25% off for your first 3 months and get an extended event outlook every Sunday.

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THANKS FOR READING

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Cheers,

Duncan

Got an event or news you want to feature? Or perhaps you’d like to promote your business to readers in Fife? Get in touch with us at [email protected] - let’s make it happen!