Dunfermline’s nightlife has earned the town a purple flag for the second year running.
The award from the Association of Town and City Management recognises a diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture.
Aberdeen, Perth and Paisley are the only other Scottish places to have the honour.
Dunfermline has a strong live music scene, boasting the Outwith Festival, PJ Molloys, Fire Station Creative and the Alhambra Theatre, as well as the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries.
It also continues to see new restaurants opening, such as Antioch and Basil.
Enhancement of winter lighting has boosted safety for those on a night out, another criteria for the award.
Dunfermline Delivers was behind the submission to ATCM and its manager Lisa Edwards said the success demonstrates close work between itself and partners including the street pastors, Pubwatch, Retailers Against Crime, Police Scotland and Fife Council.
Lisa said: “Every six to eight weeks the partnership completes a walking route around the town to assess and quickly fix lighting, graffiti, overgrown areas of ground and suggest other long term improvements.
“The partnership was also able to help local police by swiftly introducing new bus marshals to prevent the antisocial behaviour that was developing at the bus station.
“This year rail pastors are also continuing after being successfully piloted on the Fife circuit in 2017.
“We’ve seen how the street pastors, the taxi marshals and the Safe Zone, which have all been in place for a number of years, have helped.”
Last Halloween licensed members of Pubwatch expected a busier night and Dunfermline Delivers arranged extra marshals and extension of the Safe Zone.
Last year it was estimated Safe Zone saved £75,000 of NHS resources because revellers were able to get immediate first aid and support, including water, food and access to mobile phones or chargers to ensure they got home safely.
Councillor Helen Law, chair of Fife Council’s Dunfermline area committee, said: “Retaining our Purple Flag accreditation is a great example of everyone working together for the benefit of those who enjoy a great night out in Dunfermline and the strength of our partnership was evident to the assessors.”
