🚢 Will Fife’s Cruise Ships Face a New Tax?

Good morning, Fifers! With spring on the horizon, there's plenty happening around Fife, from crucial developments to exciting events.

Here’s what’s coming your way:

• 🚢 Will Fife’s Cruise Ships Face a New Tax?

• 🏥 Lochgelly Health Centre campaigners push for action

• 💡 Lidl’s plans for a new Dunfermline store

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

— Duncan

WEATHER

Unfortunately, the warm weather isn’t going to continue this week. Here's the forecast:

Tuesday: 8 🌡️ 2 | 🌤️

Wednesday: 7 🌡️ 1 | 🌤️

Thursday: 7 🌡️ 2 | ☁️

Friday: 7 🌡️ 0 | 🌧️

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🚢 Fife Council May Get Power to Tax Cruise Ships

The Scottish Government is considering allowing Fife Council to introduce a levy on cruise ships, following last year’s Visitor Levy Act. Industry leaders warn that such a tax could deter cruise ships from stopping in Scotland, impacting the economy. In 2024, around 1,000 cruise ships visited Scottish ports, bringing 1.2 million passengers ashore. Supporters argue the tax could generate revenue, with Orkney Islands Council estimating a £5 passenger levy could raise £1 million annually.

🔨 Call for Action on Delayed Lochgelly Health Centre

Campaigners are demanding firm commitments from the Scottish Government on replacing Lochgelly’s crumbling health centre, first promised in 2011. Despite NHS Fife securing planning permission, the £13m project was halted in 2023, sparking backlash. MSP Annabelle Ewing continues to push for funding, urging ministers to provide clear timelines rather than vague assurances. At a 2023 public meeting, staff and residents described the David Street building as "awful", warning that poor facilities make it harder to attract GPs. The community remains frustrated over lack of progress.

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🏥 No excuse for Kincardine GP surgery delay. MP Graeme Downie slams the Scottish Government for stalling a decade-old promise to replace the unfit health centre. Despite a £5.2B budget increase, no timeline is set for the £7.8M project.

• 🏗️ Lidl plans new Dunfermline store! The budget retailer seeks to demolish the derelict King Malcolm Hotel in Pitcorthie and build a supermarket with an in-store bakery and 91 parking spaces. Locals overwhelmingly support the move, hoping for a speedy opening.

• 🚢 Annabelle Ewing MSP pushes for Rosyth ferry service. She’s arranged talks between the Scottish Government and DFDS to revive the Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry, aiming to boost tourism and exports. DFDS remains optimistic, but funding hurdles remain.

• 💰 Fife Council racks up £81k from parking permits. Revenue from residential permits has steadily increased, with 2024 seeing £20,970 from over 1,100 permits. The number of permits issued has jumped 156% since 2020, highlighting rising demand amid cost concerns for multi-car households.

• 🏫 Fife's Aberdour and Donibristle Primary Schools score 400, ranking 69th and 70th in Scotland in The Sunday Times League Table.

• 🏨 Pettycur Bay & Old Manor Hotel staff shine! David Morrison, Gillian Page, and Fiona Swain were honored for their dedication. The venues are also finalists in three Fife Business Awards.

• 🚴‍♀️ NHS Fife wins Cycling Friendly Employer Award! Recognized for promoting cycling with bike storage, a cycle-to-work program, and staff forums at Victoria Hospital. The initiative, supported by Greener Kirkcaldy, boosts staff health, sustainability, and reduces congestion.

• 🚂 Fife Heritage Railway secures approval to expand! Plans include a new reception, café, bookshop, museum, and exhibition area at Kirkland Yard, Leven. The expansion will boost visitor numbers and provide volunteer opportunities. Fife Council supports the project with funding for temporary buildings.

• 🎸 TA Band frontman hails Dunfermline’s music scene ahead of hometown gig at McQ’s on March 29. Sean Sneddon praises the venue for supporting smaller acts and reflects on the city's rich musical talent. Despite challenges, he believes Dunfermline’s music scene is far from stale, highlighting its vibrant and diverse atmosphere.

AROUND FIFE

Each week, we highlight interesting places, hidden gems, and local experiences to explore.

🍸 Dunfermline Gin Festival Returns This May

The Dunfermline Gin Festival is back at Glen Pavilion on May 16 and 17, aiming to raise even more money for charity. Organized by the Rotary Club of Dunfermline, the festival has already raised £60,000 for local causes and welcomed 2,500 attendees since its launch. This year’s event promises live music, over 40 gins, plus rums, vodkas, and spritzes. Early-bird tickets are £20 until April 30. The festival’s updated website now includes a mobile-friendly design, an online gin guide, and a random gin selector for adventurous tasters!

🏆 Fife Village Pub Wins National Award Just Months After Community Buyout

The Inn at Kingsbarns has been named Community Inn of the Year at the Scottish Hotel Awards, just eight months after a community buyout saved the pub. The Kingsbarns Community Development Trust took over the former Cambo Arms in June 2024, and with the help of volunteers and dedicated staff, it has flourished. Additional awards included:

• Head Chef Allan Kay won a Chef Excellence Medal

• Manager Mark Lewis received a Manager Gold Medal

General Manager Mark Lewis said: "We had a standing start—there wasn’t even a till. But thanks to tremendous community support, we've achieved something special."

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by Suzannejohn| Location: Aberdour

📸 Share your photos of Fife with us! Tag @thefifeinsider and you could be featured in the next edition.

WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

✨ Featured Event

🎶 Live Music & Concerts

📍 Crail Folk Club - FARA – Orkney-born folk quartet FARA celebrates their 10th anniversary with a joyful evening of fiery fiddles, foot-stomping piano, and enchanting vocal harmonies.
📅 Thu, 13th March | 🕗 8:00pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall, Crail | 🎟️ Sold out

📍 Rudebeard Live at PJ Molloys – Don't miss Rudebeard, the ska band known for their electrifying live performances.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £10

📍 John Anaya and Marrakesh Acoustic Live! – Enjoy lively, upbeat covers and original music with John Anaya and Mark "Marrakesh" Burdette at The Harbour Bar.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕗 8:30pm | 📍 The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Myra’s Story – A powerful, heart-wrenching Irish play about Myra McLaughlin, a homeless alcoholic living on the streets of Dublin.
📅 Fri, 13th - Sun, 15th March | 🕖 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £28

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Thelma (12A) – When 93-year-old Thelma Post is scammed by a fraudster, she embarks on a dangerous journey to get back what was stolen.
📅 Wed, 12th March | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £5

📍 St Andrews Caddies To The Fore Q&A Evening – Caddie tales and stories from the legendary Old Course in St Andrews, celebrating David Coyne’s book with family, friends, and current caddies.
📅 Wed, 12th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Sold out

📍 Kate Foster – Author Event – Join bestselling author Kate Foster as she discusses her historical novels The Maiden and The King’s Witches.
📅 Thu, 13th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Duloch Library, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £3

📍 Say No! Poetry Slam – Atmospheric poetry slam inspired by the Say No Exhibition, with cocktails and up-and-coming literary talents.
📅 Thu, 13th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £8

📍 Cheltenham Gold Cup Day – Join us for an exciting day of racing with a hospitality experience at Pratis Barns, featuring live coverage of Cheltenham races, a three-course lunch, and a local bookie for betting.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 Pratis Barns, Leven | 🎟️ £45

📍 W3L Workin' Man's Wrestling - Kelty – Live wrestling action featuring top stars from around the world, with matches filmed for the popular YouTube series W3L Wrestling Showdown.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕡 6:30pm | 📍 Kelty & Blairadam Ex-Servicemen's Club, Kelty | 🎟️ £13.70

📍 The French Connection – A tribute to Gene Hackman’s Oscar-winning performance as NYC detective Popeye Doyle.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 The King's, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £3

📍 John Barrowman: Laid Bare – Join renowned actor, singer, and entertainer John Barrowman for a solo show filled with music, stories, and laughter.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £30

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Taste Fife's Best at Silverburn Park – Enjoy a special menu featuring the finest local produce, including Silverburn Skink, the Kingdom Royale toastie, and honey & salted-almond scones.
📅 Sat, 8th – Sun, 16th March | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Silverburn Park, Leven | 🎟️ £10

📍 Kingsbarns Distillery Whisky & Food-Pairing Tour – A special Fife Food & Drink Week experience pairing award-winning whiskies with locally-inspired canapés.
📅 Sat, 8th March – Sun, 16th March | 🕒 3:00pm | 📍 Kingsbarns Distillery & Visitor Centre | 🎟️ £38

📍 Mid-Week Menu at Garvock House Hotel – Enjoy a 3-course seasonal lunch featuring Fife’s finest local ingredients in a stunning setting.
📅 Mon, 10th – Wed, 12th March | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 Garvock House Hotel, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £23

📍 St Andrews Cocktail Week 2025 – Enjoy discounted cocktails, meals, and exclusive offers across St Andrews while supporting local businesses.
📅 Fri, 14th - Sun, 23rd March | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 St Andrews | 🎟️ £12.95

📍 Scottish Pub Pop Up 2025 – Celebrate Fife Food and Drink with an 8-course tasting menu of Scottish pub classics, featuring incredible local suppliers.
📅 Fri, 14th March | 🕖 7:00pm | 📍 Coorie by the Coast, Limekilns | 🎟️ £81.96

🎨 Art

📍 Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 – A stunning collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces, at Affordable Arts!
📅 Tue, 4th Mar - Tue, 28th October | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

📍 Hag: Knowledge, Power & Alchemy through Craft – An inspiring exhibition celebrating the creativity, strength, and mastery of 13 Scottish women craft artists.
📅 Sat, 8th March – Sun, 8th June 2025 | 🕙 Various times | 📍 Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition – Explore an inspiring exhibition showcasing 25 panels that highlight a vision for a sustainable future, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
📅 Mon, 10th – Sun, 16th March | 🕒 10:00am | 📍 Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

SPORTS

Fixtures

⚽ Kelty Hearts vs Cove Rangers
📅 Tue, 11 March | 🕒 19:45 | 🏆 League 1

⚽ Raith Rovers vs Dunfermline Athletic
📅 Fri, 14 March | 🕒 19:45 | 🏆 Championship

Results

⚽ Falkirk 1-0 Dunfermline Athletic
📅 Sat, 8 March | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 Championship

⚽ Kelty Hearts 0-0 Montrose
📅 Sat, 8 March | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 1

⚽ Clyde 1-2 East Fife
📅 Sat, 8 March | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 2

🏒 Guildford Flames 4-1 Fife Flyers
📅 Sat, 8 March | 🕒 18:00 | 🏆 Elite Ice Hockey League

🏒 Fife Flyers 2-3 Coventry Blaze
📅 Sun, 9 March | 🕒 17:15 | 🏆 Elite Ice Hockey League

THANKS FOR READING

Hope you enjoyed this week's update! If you have anything you'd like to see covered next week, just let me know.

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!