Chamber and committees

That the Parliament welcomes the award of £1.2 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to the Buckhaven Heritage project; understands that the project, led by Fife Council in partnership with Fife Historic Buildings Trust, aims to deliver heritage-led regeneration in Buckhaven, celebrating the town’s historic buildings and creating new opportunities for local people; notes that the project is supported by a local partnership board, including Autism Rocks, the Community Trade Hub and Buckhaven and Denbeath Community Council; recognises that the funding will support improvements to key community buildings, including Buckhaven Parish Church and the Community Trade Hub, alongside enhancements to green spaces, the restoration of historic features and initiatives celebrating the town’s fishing, mining and social history; particularly welcomes the planned traditional skills training programme, which will provide young people with opportunities to develop skills in stonework, joinery and conservation, as well as pathways into further training and employment; acknowledges the important contribution of National Lottery players in supporting heritage projects across Scotland, and commends all organisations and community partners involved in securing this significant investment in Buckhaven’s heritage, regeneration and future.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that more than 500 new Modern Apprentices are set to begin their training at Fife College during the 2026-27 academic year; understands that apprentices will undertake programmes across a wide range of sectors, including automotive, childcare, construction, healthcare and life sciences, combining classroom learning with practical experience in the workplace; further understands that the new intake follows Fife College securing a £2.1 million apprenticeship contract to support hundreds of new starts and help meet the skills needs of employers across the region; notes that, following the intake, more than 1,200 young people will have been enrolled across the college’s apprenticeship programmes; recognises what it sees as the important role that Modern Apprenticeships play in providing young people with the opportunity to earn while they learn, to gain recognised qualifications and to develop valuable technical and employability skills; commends Fife College for working closely with local employers to ensure that its programmes reflect the needs of industry and support businesses across Fife, and wishes all of the new apprentices every success as they begin their careers.

That the Parliament congratulates the cast and crew of Community Theatre, a short film shot in Buckhaven and Methil, on being shortlisted for the BAFTA Scotland Short Film and Animation Award; understands that the 15-minute film was directed by Kirkcaldy filmmaker Lewis Baillie and features local residents and young members of the Buckhind Players, aged between seven and 15, acting out stories from the lives of people in the Buckhaven community; notes that much of the film was shot at Buckhaven Community Centre and that the Buckhind Players are a volunteer-run community theatre group; further notes that Community Theatre had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2025 and was subsequently screened at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Montana in February 2026; understands that the film has been selected from more than 1,000 entries as one of three finalists for the BAFTA Scotland Short Film and Animation Award; recognises what it sees as a remarkable achievement for Lewis, the Buckhind Players and everyone involved in the production, and wishes them every success at the BAFTA Scotland awards ceremony on 15 November 2026.

That the Parliament congratulates 17-year-old Isla Burston, from Kinghorn, on her ambition to become the youngest Scot ever to ski to the South Pole; understands that Isla is currently training to undertake the record-breaking expedition in 2028, supported by The Polar Academy, a charity founded by polar explorer Craig Mathieson that works with young people facing challenges to help build their confidence, resilience and self-belief; understands that Isla joined The Polar Academy after experiencing severe anxiety and bullying during her time at high school; recognises what it sees as her remarkable transformation through the programme, progressing from struggling with anxiety to undertaking intensive physical and mental training, and successfully completing an Arctic expedition in Finland; understands that Isla has since undertaken a wild camping expedition in Greenland and is continuing her preparations through polar training, endurance work, tyre hauling and developing her knowledge of specialist equipment and survival skills; further understands that she plans to undertake further polar training in Norway in February as she prepares for the challenges of Antarctica; acknowledges that Isla is seeking to raise £90,000 to make the South Pole expedition possible; commends The Polar Academy and Craig Mathieson for the support and encouragement that they have provided to Isla and other young people; believes that Isla’s journey demonstrates the positive impact that encouragement, opportunity and belief can have on young people facing significant personal challenges, and wishes Isla every success with her training, fundraising and her historic South Pole expedition in 2028.

That the Parliament commends Fife businessman and estate agent, Jim Parker, on taking on the William Wallace Ultra Marathon in support of Parkinson’s UK and Parkinson’s UK in Scotland; understands that Jim will attempt to run more than 30 miles in what will be his biggest endurance challenge to date and the final fundraising challenge of an extraordinary 2026; recognises that Jim’s fundraising is deeply personal following the death of his father in 2024, after he had lived with Parkinson’s for more than a decade; notes that some of his friends have since also been diagnosed with the condition; acknowledges that Jim climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in December 2025, raising more than £4,500, before completing both the London and Edinburgh marathons in 2026; notes that he has overcome a serious avulsion injury around the pelvic and adductor area, undergoing months of rehabilitation while completing more than 1,000 miles of training; understands that Jim hopes to raise at least £1,000 through the William Wallace Ultra challenge; applauds his determination to raise funds and awareness for people living with Parkinson’s and their families, and wishes Jim every success as he takes on the William Wallace Ultra Marathon.

That the Parliament congratulates Fife College and SGN on being shortlisted for the Energy Transition Initiative of the Year: Projects & Systems category at the 2026 Energy & Tech Awards, organised by edie, which is a UK sustainability and energy media organisation; understands that the recognition follows their pioneering partnership to develop what is understood to be the UK’s first hydrogen training course for Gas Safe registered engineers and the establishment of the UK’s first dedicated hydrogen training and assessment centre at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus; notes that the programme provides an accredited hydrogen qualification alongside practical training using live hydrogen systems, equipping engineers with the skills required to safely install, commission and maintain hydrogen heating technologies; recognises the collaboration between Fife College, SGN, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Scottish Government, the Health and Safety Executive, Gas Safe Register, BPEC, Energy & Utility Skills, the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers and industry manufacturers in developing the training pathway; understands that around 100 engineers, managers and technical specialists have already completed the programme, helping to develop the workforce required to support H100 Fife, the UK’s first domestic green hydrogen network; believes that the initiative further strengthens Fife’s reputation as a centre for clean energy innovation and supports the development of skills for the transition to net zero; commends everyone involved in the partnership for their work, and wishes Fife College and SGN every success when the winners are announced in London on 16 October 2026.

That the Parliament congratulates the surgical team at NHS Fife on successfully carrying out its first robot-assisted radical cystectomy at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy; understands that radical cystectomy, which can be required as part of treatment for bladder cancer, is one of the most complex procedures in urology and involves the removal of the bladder and prostate, along with lymph nodes in the affected area, followed by reconstruction of the urinary system using a section of the patient’s bowel; notes that this is the first time that the procedure has been carried out using robotic surgical technology in Fife; understands that the patient was able to return home after eight days in hospital, compared with a typical stay of between 12 and 14 days following open surgery; recognises that robotic surgery can offer surgeons greater precision, control and visualisation during complex procedures and can support faster patient recovery; notes that NHS Fife reached the milestone of 1,000 robotic-assisted procedures in 2025 and has continued to develop its expertise in robotic and urological surgery; acknowledges NHS Fife’s previous innovations in urological care, including becoming the first NHS board in Scotland to offer Rezum steam therapy for enlarged prostate conditions and subsequently to provide the treatment as an outpatient procedure; commends the expertise and dedication of the surgical and wider clinical teams involved in achieving this latest milestone, and welcomes the continued development of specialist services that enable patients in Fife to access advanced urological cancer treatment closer to home.

That the Parliament congratulates everyone involved in the hugely successful auction of the Wemyss Ware Cat Trail sculptures in Kirkcaldy; understands that the Adam Smith Theatre was at full capacity for the auction, which saw the giant cat sculptures sold for a combined total of over £100,000, with all funds raised going back into the Kirkcaldy Lottery, which backed the initiative led by the Adam Smith Global Foundation; notes that the event followed the success of the Wemyss Ware Cat Trail, which captured the imagination of residents and visitors throughout the town; further notes that the celebrations included a gathering of the sculptures and their artists in Kirkcaldy Town Square, live entertainment from young performers from Kirkcaldy Actors’ Studio and a special appearance from panto dame Billy Mack; recognises the contribution of auctioneer Hamish Wilson of Bonhams Edinburgh in helping to generate enthusiastic bidding; commends the artists, organisers, performers, businesses, volunteers and members of the community who contributed to the success of the trail and auction, and believes that the project has been a wonderful celebration of Kirkcaldy’s creativity, heritage and strong community spirit.

That the Parliament congratulates Caledonia Steel Queens on its historic promotion to the Women’s National Ice Hockey League Elite, the highest level of women’s ice hockey in the UK; understands that its first Elite fixture at Murrayfield Ice Arena marked the return of top-level women’s league ice hockey to Scotland after an absence of 32 years and makes the Steel Queens the only Scottish team competing at this level; recognises the contribution of the club’s Kirkcaldy-born head coach, Beth Dias-Scoon, whose own distinguished ice hockey career has included representing Great Britain and making more than 200 senior league appearances; acknowledges what it considers to be Beth’s remarkable journey from player to coach and her continuing commitment to creating opportunities for women and girls to participate, develop and fulfil their potential in ice hockey; notes that the Steel Queens began as a university team and has developed into a club providing opportunities at development, under-16 and senior women’s level; believes that the return of elite women’s ice hockey to Scotland after more than three decades is a landmark moment for the sport and an opportunity to inspire a new generation of girls to take to the ice; recognises the dedication of the players, coaches, volunteers and supporters whose commitment has helped make this achievement possible; congratulates Beth Dias-Scoon on playing a leading role in taking the Steel Queens to the highest level of the women’s game in the UK, and wishes Beth, everyone at the Caledonia Steel Queens and all those involved in women’s ice hockey in Scotland every success for this historic season and for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Anna Drysdale, who is the founder and CEO of Open Cellar, on being a winner in Round 27 of Scottish EDGE; understands that Open Cellar is an innovative wine discovery business, which was established with the aim of making choosing and discovering wine simpler, more accessible and less intimidating for consumers; notes that Anna has developed and refined the business through its early stages, including reshaping its business model, developing its operational infrastructure and securing partnerships; recognises that Scottish EDGE is a highly competitive business programme supporting entrepreneurship and emerging businesses in Scotland, and that Open Cellar progressed through its Wild Card competition before securing funding; commends Anna for the determination, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that she has demonstrated in developing Open Cellar; believes that her success is a welcome example of the ambition and entrepreneurship found in Kirkcaldy and across Fife, and wishes Anna, and everyone involved with Open Cellar, every success as the business moves towards launch and its next stage of development.