Dysart House
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Dysart is a small picturesque village on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth in Scotland, not far from Edinburgh. It is a fascinating little town, rich in religious and historical significance. From a distance can be seen St. Serf's Tower, overlooking the Firth of Forth. This is part of the ancient ruins of St. Serf's Church, near which used to stand the old Dominican Monastery. Nearby are the caves, where in about 500 A.D. St. Serf prayed and fought against the devil; tradition has it that the saint was victorious and never again may the evil one triumph in that district. The name Dysart means desert, and this is thought to be derived from the prayerful solitude which St. Serf sought and found in these caves. The caves were used for centuries as a place of worship, rough seats being carved out of the natural hollows in the rock. There is evidence of its being known as the Chapel of the Holy Rood in the 16th century. St. Serf's cave is now part of the private property of the Carmelite nuns in Dysart, and is not open to the public.

The St. Clairs were a noble family who had lived in Dysart for several centuries. They owned much of the land and property in Dysart, including the coal mines. Dysart House was built about 1750 by General St. Clair, a prominent soldier, diplomat and Member of Parliament. His nephew succeeded him, extending and improving the beautiful gardens and property. He in turn was succeeded by the young Sir James Erskine, who also became Earl of Rosslyn (the title 'Earl of Rosslyn' was not created until 1801). By 1866, the estate consisted of 3000 acres in Fife and 100 acres in Mid Lothian. This included Ravenscraig Park and castle and other important buildings. In the following years, the building of Dysart House was added to and it became the hunting lodge of the 5th Earl of Rosslyn, Sir Harry, who succeeded to the title in 1890 at the age of twenty-one. Unfortunately, he was addicted to gambling, and within a few years had been declared bankrupt. The only way to pay his debts was to sell the estate, which included Dysart House, Ravenscraig Castle and St. Serf's Tower. Thus in 1896 the entire estate passed from the St. Clair family into the hands of Sir Michael Nairn, the linoleum magnate. It must be said of Sir Harry that, whatever his weaknesses and extravagances, he was very good to the miners in the Dysart Collieries and they had a great respect for him, finding him always available and ready to help them in any need.

His son, the second Sir Michael Nairn, succeeded him but by 1930 he and Lady Nairn had disposed of much of the estate, leaving only Dysart House and its gardens stretching down to Shore Road; the rest of the estate became the property of the Town. Ravenscraig Park was donated to the Town Council on condition that it be used for a public park. In 1930, Sir Michael sold Dysart House and its remaining property to Mrs. Elsa Mitchell, acting for Miss Evelyn Coats (of the Coats thread making family), who gave it to the Carmelite nuns to be adapted and used as a Monastery. This Monastery was officially opened in June, 1931. On the opening day itself, the house was open to the general public and the local people crowded in to look over it. It then became an enclosed Monastery, admittance being allowed only to the public Chapel and visiting room.

Photos of Dysart Harbour & village

Photos of Carmelite Monastery

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