The then Leader of the Opposition Tony Blair meets shoppers on Kirkcaldy High Street in 1996

placeholder image — The then Leader of the Opposition Tony Blair meets shoppers on Kirkcaldy High Street in 1996

In Pictures: memories of 1996 & 1997 in this rarely seen gallery of Fife photos

Editor, Fife Free Press

Published 17th Jul 2026, 16:13 GMT

Updated 23rd Jul 2026, 13:27 GMT

Three decades have passed since these pictures were first taken by the Fife Free Press Group of newspapers.

They all appeared in the pages of the Glenrothes Gazette and were taken from our online archive which captures the people and organisations whose successes made the pages of our newspapers.

17. Down memory lane

Dress rehearsal for Fife Opera as it prepares to present The Pearlfishers in 1996. The picture was taken by a staff photographer from the Fife Free Press. Photo: Fife Free Press

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18. Down memory lane

A 1996 photocall for young members of Markinch Scottish Country Dancing club, pictured with teacher Mandy Paterson at Markinch Town Hall. The picture was taken by a staff photographer from the Glenrothes Gazette. Photo: Fife Free Press