Dysartian
St Serf's Tower in Dysart
St Serf’s Tower is located in Dysart (Kirkcaldy), Fife. The building was the tower of St Serf's Church and is one of Scotland’s few surviving church towers with a gun platform. Dedicated in 1245 by Bishop de Bernham, it had been a place of worship far earlier than that. The church originally had a nave and chancel complete with aisles, a south porch and a fortified tower 80 ft / 22 m high to the parapet. It was built from ashlar sandstone (similar to the nearby Royal castle, Ravenscraig) and is thought to be mainly, if not entirely 16th century in age.
The northern aisle has been removed and except for the tower and the porch which are complete, there are only ruins of the rest of the church. Two arches on the northern side and one on the south survive. By 1800 the church had fallen into disrepair and with repair proving too costly (it also reputedly had a low roof which proved unpopular) it was abandoned in favour of a new church (also called St Serf’s). The main building of the church was destroyed in 1802 when a new road (which is still-cobbled) was built down to the harbour, leaving the tower as the only remains of the church. With 103 steps to the top, St Serf’s provides panoramic views all the way across to the Lothians, Kirkcaldy and the East Neuk of Fife and was used as a lookout during the First and Second Wars. The tower is open to the public only on Scotland’s Doors Open Day in late September each year (weather permitting)!
More information on the history of Dysart can be found in the new Dysart Trust website www.dysart-trust.org.uk This outline website will be populated with information and photos in the coming months.
Made Explore #434 on 15 April 2009.
St Serf's Tower in Dysart
St Serf’s Tower is located in Dysart (Kirkcaldy), Fife. The building was the tower of St Serf's Church and is one of Scotland’s few surviving church towers with a gun platform. Dedicated in 1245 by Bishop de Bernham, it had been a place of worship far earlier than that. The church originally had a nave and chancel complete with aisles, a south porch and a fortified tower 80 ft / 22 m high to the parapet. It was built from ashlar sandstone (similar to the nearby Royal castle, Ravenscraig) and is thought to be mainly, if not entirely 16th century in age.
The northern aisle has been removed and except for the tower and the porch which are complete, there are only ruins of the rest of the church. Two arches on the northern side and one on the south survive. By 1800 the church had fallen into disrepair and with repair proving too costly (it also reputedly had a low roof which proved unpopular) it was abandoned in favour of a new church (also called St Serf’s). The main building of the church was destroyed in 1802 when a new road (which is still-cobbled) was built down to the harbour, leaving the tower as the only remains of the church. With 103 steps to the top, St Serf’s provides panoramic views all the way across to the Lothians, Kirkcaldy and the East Neuk of Fife and was used as a lookout during the First and Second Wars. The tower is open to the public only on Scotland’s Doors Open Day in late September each year (weather permitting)!
More information on the history of Dysart can be found in the new Dysart Trust website www.dysart-trust.org.uk This outline website will be populated with information and photos in the coming months.
Made Explore #434 on 15 April 2009.