Royal Burgh of Dysart
Tolbooth
This was built in 1576 when it housed both the public weights and measures office (the Trading Standards Office of its day) and the jail, where witches, smugglers and pickpockets saw little daylight through the barred cell doors. In 1656, troops from Cromwell’s army were billeted in the Tolbooth and dropped a lighted torch into a barrel of gunpowder, blowing the roof off. The Adjoining Town Hall was built in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
St Serf’s Tower and Ruined Church
On Shore Road, this building dominates the foreshore. The panoramic view from the top of its 80 foot tower is breathtaking on a clear day. The old stones in its peaceful graveyard include carved symbols of anchors, sextants and spades to record the last resting places of ships’ captains, maltmen and gardeners.
The Harbour
The Harbour dates back to the early 17th century, although traces of an earlier pier opposite Pan Ha’ can still be seen at low tide). Trade was carried out virtually worldwide, but in particular with Scandinavia and Holland. The inner harbour was constructed on the site of a former quarry, and the chisel marks of the quarry workers can be seen on the steep rock face above it, known as Sailors’ Walk or High Brae Head.
Pan Ha’
Stretching along Dysart’s shoreline is Pan Ha’, a row of white 16th to 18th century cottages privately owned but restored by the National Trust for Scotland. The cottages are typical of Fife – white-washed walls, crow-stepped gable ends and red pantiled roofs, and stand below the tower of St Serf’s Church.
