Projects
Village Creative: Reconnecting Communities Through the Arts
Since 2021, Heids and Herts Scotland has inspired 26 creative community collaborations across North East Fife and the East Neuk — each using creativity to build connection, belonging, and wellbeing. What began as artist-led workshops in village halls, funded by the University of St Andrews, has grown into Village Creative: our flagship programme supporting communities to co-design and deliver arts projects that bring people together through shared imagination.
In 2023–24, with support from Fife Council’s Local Community Planning Budget, the Binn Wind Turbine Community Fund (via Foundation Scotland), and GoFibre’s GoFurther Community Fund, eight communities delivered inspiring projects — from murals and podcasts to cookery, poetry and photography — sparking joy and pride across generations. Now, with funding from the Fife Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (managed by Fife Voluntary Action with Scottish Government support), Village Creative 2025 continues this journey — empowering eight new communities to use creativity as a force for inclusion and wellbeing.
Seaweed Funday – Methilhill Community Children’s Initiative & Fife Seaweed Fest
Families crafted with foraged seaweed, learned how to dry and preserve it, and tasted soups and desserts enriched with sea greens. “It was a joyful mix of art, food and discovery — with children and grandparents creating side by side.”
Restore and Renew Sewing Workshops – Abdie SWI
Rural communities came together to learn mending and upcycling skills. “We wanted to teach practical repair skills in a social space — helping people connect while keeping good clothes out of landfill.” Workshops drew participants from six Fife villages, with friendly chat and tea halfway through every session.
Making Space– East Neuk Centre Trust, Anstruther
A women’s wellbeing group explored creativity and nature to combat isolation. “Through craft, film and coastal walks, we’ve built confidence, friendship, and new creative skills.” Weekly sessions ranged from jewellery making to mindfulness, with ages spanning 30 to 85.
Unity in Diversity – Rio Community Centre, Newport-on-Tay
A week of storytelling, art, sport and shared meals celebrating Newport’s many cultures. “It was connection from cradle to grave,” organisers said. “People painted murals, swapped recipes and danced together — a true celebration of belonging.”
Family Fun Day with My Friend Selkie– What Moves You CIC, Newburgh
Families joined creative movement workshops, crafts, and a live dance-theatre show inspired by Scottish folklore. “We created a relaxed, inclusive day where everyone — including children with additional needs — could join in, play, and feel welcome.”
Words from the Coast– Fife Writes
Poets and prose writers of all levels explored coastal life through writing workshops and performance. “Sixteen regular participants, from 30 to 70, shared stories shaped by sea and shore,” said organisers. The project culminated in an open mic showcase and recording for Heids & Herts Sonic Museum archive.
A Creative Community Collaboration – The Dolphin Centre, Tayport
Tayport’s craft group turned their town into an artwork with a secret yarn-bombing project marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. “The morning our secret was revealed, social media went mad,” said organisers. “It’s made people proud to live in Tayport — and proud of their creativity.”
Breadsong– Bread for Good (Scotland the Bread), St Monans
Locals learned to bake sourdough while singing together. “We shared bread, songs and stories — and watched strangers become friends.” The project culminated at St Monans Arts Festival, where participants led a public singalong celebrating their new tradition of baking and belonging.
“These projects show the incredible creativity and care within our communities. From sewing and storytelling to bread-making and song, each one helps people feel more connected, supported, and inspired.”
Ian Harrower, Chair of Heids and Herts Scotland
Heids and Herts Scotland is a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to promoting wellbeing, creativity and community connection. Through our flagship programme, Village Creative, we help communities across Fife tackle isolation and mental health challenges — using the arts as a catalyst for inclusion, resilience and joy.
Celebrating Community Heritage Through Sound: The Sonic Museum
Heritage is more than buildings and landmarks — it’s the stories, traditions, and sounds that connect us to our roots. This year, we proudly launched The Sonic Museum, a dynamic SoundCloud platform dedicated to capturing the rich, intangible cultural heritage of North East Fife and the East Neuk.
Our passion for audio storytelling began with Haiver FM, the community radio station we launched in our first months. Since then, we’ve been committed to empowering communities to share their stories through sound, providing training and tools to bring these voices to life.
Thanks to funding from the SCVO Community Learning and Development Device Fund, we’ve created a field recording lending resource featuring 12 professional digital recording kits. These kits are already in action, allowing communities to preserve memories, create nature soundscapes, record songs, and craft sonic postcards.
Our four pilot projects have recently concluded and are now under review, helping shape how we support communities in the year ahead. These projects worked with:
- Youth Ambassadors from Balmerino, Gauldry, Kilmany, and Logie Community Council
- Volunteers from St Andrews Heritage Museum and Garden
- Kilmany Parish Hall in Rathillet
- The Hamlet of Collessie
We’ve also expanded our reach by loaning a complete audio production station to Fife Writes, a supportive network for writers. With this equipment, members can now record spoken word, poetry, short stories, and podcast plays that celebrate Fife’s landscapes, history, and heritage.
One example from this collaboration is three poems read by Blair H. Smith , recorded as part of Fife Writes – Volume 1.
Our Chair, Ian Harrower, sums it up best:
“The Sonic Museum brings people together to share their unique perspectives and experiences, ensuring our cultural and natural heritage is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.”
Let’s keep the sounds of our communities alive!
Creative Spaces & Communities Conference
This year, we were delighted to host the second Creative Spaces & Communities Conference, bringing together community leaders, volunteers, and creative practitioners from across North East Fife and the East Neuk.
Our first gathering took place on Wednesday, 26 April 2023, at Falkland Estate, setting the tone for an open, generous space focused on creativity, connection, and community resilience. Building on that momentum, the 2025 conference was held on Tuesday, 22 April at St John’s Parish Church Hall in Cupar, and confirmed the event as a valued annual fixture in our calendar.
Through shared conversations, practical exercises, and moments of reflection, participants explored how creative community spaces can flourish — even in the face of rural isolation, limited resources, and growing pressures on wellbeing. From the I Seek / I Offer Wall to World Café discussions and appreciative inquiry, the day revealed a vibrant, resourceful network committed to strengthening communities through creativity and care.
What began as a single gathering has grown into an annual moment for reflection, learning, and collective energy.
We’re especially pleased to share that we have secured funding to deliver an expanded Creative Spaces & Communities Conference in 2026. Supported by a Boost Fund grant, the event will be free to attend. It will feature additional speakers, community case studies, and practical skills sessions, alongside the networking opportunities that participants value most.
We’re currently confirming the venue, date, and contributors for Spring 2026 and will be sharing more details in the new year. Stay tuned.
Maintaining these regular initiatives keeps our small group of Trustee volunteers very busy, yet we still make space for occasional special projects that support our overarching goal: bringing people together in communities across North East Fife and the East Neuk.
One example of this is the Hearth in the Howe project, a series of story-catching events celebrating local narratives and fostering connection, which complemented our ongoing initiatives such as The Village Creative, The Sonic Museum, and the Creative Spaces Conference.
Hearth in the Howe
Hearth in the Howe was a vibrant series of community story-catching events rooted in the belief that sharing stories fosters connection, combats loneliness, and inspires compassion. Working in collaboration with local communities and professional storyteller Sheila Kinninmonth, the project celebrated the lived experiences and memories that shape rural life.
Delivered as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, Hearth in the Howe was supported by EventScotland, Museums Galleries Scotland, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project contributed to a nationwide celebration of storytelling as a vital part of Scotland’s cultural landscape, highlighting the unique narratives held within local communities.
Hearth in the Howe Sponsors
