Two Major Community Events Kick Off in Fife Today

Fife Climate Festival launches its third edition while Doors Open Day welcomes visitors to historic West Fife venues on Saturday.

Today marks the beginning of two significant community events across Fife, showcasing both environmental action and cultural heritage.

The Fife Climate Festival officially launched its third edition, running from today through October 19, featuring over 60 community-led events across the region. The month-long celebration highlights grassroots climate action with activities ranging from bat walks and beach cleans to cookery workshops and upcycling crafts.

Simultaneously, West Fife participates in Scotland’s largest free heritage festival as Doors Open Day gives the public access to historic buildings normally closed to visitors. The weekend program includes guided tours of Dunfermline’s Abbot House, known locally as the “pink hoose,” and the Robert Stevenson Light Tower in North Queensferry.

Festival Celebrates Community Climate Action

The climate festival represents a collaborative effort between Fife Climate Hub and Climate Action Fife, supported by Scottish Government and National Lottery Community Fund funding. This year’s program encompasses diverse activities including saltmarsh restoration, seasonal cookery workshops, cycling events, and woodland restoration projects.

Alice Henderson, manager of Fife Climate Hub, emphasized the festival’s role in bringing communities together for climate action while making Fife “a healthier, more vibrant, and safer place to live”. The festival will culminate with a headline event called “Wee Day Oot” at Lochore Meadows Country Park on October 4.

Historic West Fife Opens Its Doors

The Doors Open Day program in West Fife provides free access to architectural gems and heritage sites across Dunfermline, Aberdour, and surrounding areas. Notable venues include the 16th-century Abbot House with its distinctive pink facade, offering behind-the-scenes access to studios housing local designers and craftmakers.

The Robert Stevenson Light Tower, designed by the grandfather of author Robert Louis Stevenson and built in 1817, stands as the world’s only operational oil-lit light tower. Originally guiding Forth ferries until 1960, it was restored and reopened to the public in 2010.

Other participating venues include St Fillan’s Church in Aberdour, featuring Norman architecture and guided tours showcasing fascinating historical artifacts, and the Holy Name RC Church in Oakley, opened in 1958, which will display its stained glass windows and small museum collection.

Both events reflect Fife’s commitment to community engagement, whether through environmental stewardship or cultural preservation, offering residents and visitors opportunities to connect with local heritage and participate in sustainable future planning.