Without volunteers, Fife’s summer calendar of festivals would be very bare
You could not have asked for a better day at Burntisland Highland Games on Monday.
The sun shone, the crowds queued up, and the buzz in the town was obvious - and long before the parade reached the Links.
It’s incredible to think that it is all organised by a small team of volunteers, as are so many events and festivals across Fife.
Without the people who willingly commit their time and expertise, this region’s calendar would be very, very bare, and the spin off for local businesses from cafes to bars, restaurants and shops would be lost.
In the age of the so-called influencer, and the rise and rise of Facebook pages, which seem to think they have a far greater reach and impact than they actually do, it’s the people who roll up their sleeves and put in the work who make a real difference. There’s a vast difference between walking the walk and walking the walk. There’s an even wider gulf between posting a like or thumbs up emoji, and actually attending an event.
I hadn’t been to Burntisland’s Highland Games for many years, and had forgotten the scale of the event. Add in the Exiles reception and the parade, and it brought the town to life - the perfect start to the traditional Fair Fortnight.
The days when factories emptied and thousands of workers headed off on holiday may have gone, replaced by a holiday Monday which largely revolves around the local authority - but it’s still a marker in the calendar.
Towns across Fife all have gala days run by volunteers, while there are major festivals built on the tireless efforts of small groups and committees.
It was a short hop from Burntisland to Largo Arts Week and another fabulous wander round one of the Kingdom’s most creative areas.
Business was brisk at The Aurrie - I can recommend the toasties! - and it was a joy to wander in and out of folks’ homes and gardens which play host to so many artists from across Fife. There’s a vibe at Largo Arts Festival that Kirkcaldy needs to tap into and find its own route into this thriving creative sector …
It also needs to take a lead from other long established events across Fife, and find its own event, festival or gathering that puts it on a map that is busy, vibrant and exciting.
I’ve said it before but if Leven can host Promfest then why can’t we have our own version? If Silverburn ha a music festival why doesn’t Dunnikier or Ravenscraig Park? And if the Outwith Festival can fill rooms and buildings across Dunfermline with everything from live music to book readings and a host of wellness events, what is the Lang Toun doing to tap into these sectors? None of the above can be delivered without funding and physical resource, but we actually have more people than ever all working to make things happen. Things ARE moving here, but slowly. We still need that one over-arching body that can pull everything together and set a clear direction.
Kirkcaldy is brim full of community led events which underlines the remarkable work being done by many, many people. It’s time now to add that headline event or festival, and set the bar for the rest of Fife to follow.
And if any town can do that, it’s the Lang Toun ...