The Harbour Masters House, Dysart
Dysart (Gaelic – Diseart) is one more ancient port on the Fife Coast. Unlike the others we have visited this trip, this is not a port the has earned its money from Fishing. Dysart was a commercial port and used since the 15th century to export Salt and Coal from the local mines with Salt being the cargo of highest value. Initially the trade was substantially with the ‘Low Countries’ such as Holland…hence the nick names of Dysart of ‘Little Holland’ and ‘Salt Burgh’. The town had a prosperous life as can be seen from the Pan Ha houses along the frontage of the Firth of Forth…….
The Tower that dominates the skyline is Saint Serfs Church which as well as an important Catholic Church was also a building of defensive significance and cannons within the tower have fired in anger. The Town and its harbour was still of importance until the 1930’s when the local mine was closed having become unproductive. But its legacy is yet another port, with intrigue and little corners to explore……
Strange Structure…..The strangest structure is not one of the old building but a construction added in 2000! Locals tell us that it has no name, nor do they know what it is supposed to. The local wisdom states that someone thought that whilst other alterations were to take place to improve the town, that they would provide the community and visitors with ‘something’ to look at……not that the current surroundings aren’t interesting enough. Suggestions as to what to call it…..just let me know….
25th May
© David Oakes 2014
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 