Fife Provost Jim Leishman is no stranger to the highs and lows of running a football team.
But the Pars legend proved he also had a stomach for the giddy heights of the funfair as he opened the Links Market in Kirkcaldy.
Having dined with the Showmen’s Guild at the town’s Victoria Hotel a short while earlier, Mr Leishman did well to keep his lunch down as he took a spin on the high octane Air ride and was all smiles, if not a little wind swept, when he stepped off.
He said: “I’ve had a real history lesson today, learning about more than 700 years of the Links Market. It’s amazing to think how many people have walked down this street in 700 years of the fair.”
President of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, David Wallis, said: “A lot of people from this area come back just for the fair. It’s an important part of history.
“For me every fair is important but the Links is important for Scotland in particular as it marks the start of the season and sees 80% of Scottish showmen attend.
“It’s a social event for the showmen as well.”
Mr Wallis said legislation and paperwork could be a challenge for showmen.
But the Health and Safety Executive had been down and were very happy, he said.
The Links Market, which runs daily until Monday night, is reputedly the longest street fair in Europe, running almost one mile along the Kirkcaldy Esplanade.