Dysart (/ˈdaɪzərt/ listenⓘ; Scottish Gaelic: Dìseart (IPA:[ˈtʲiːʃəɾʃt̪])) is a town and former royal burgh located on the south-east coast between Kirkcaldy and West Wemyss in Fife, Scotland.

The first record of the town was made in the early 13th century, its initial role being to settle civil matters between the church and landowners.

[4] The earliest record of the town's existence is a document about a papal decision between Dysart Kirk and Dunfermline Abbey in 1220.

[4][5] Another record followed in 1245, this time about the reconsecration of Dysart Kirk undertaken by David de Bernham of St Andrews.

[6] The initial role of the town, like many communities in Scotland, was to serve the church and landowners by resolving civic matters and dealing individually with property issues.

[10][11] During the 16th and 17th centuries, the town went through hard times with many residents, particularly skippers, being killed in the wars of covenanting (1644–1645) and the five-year occupation of Oliver Cromwell between 1651 and 1656.

[18] The closure of the uneconomic Lady Blanche Pit in 1929, proved to be the end of the town's coal trade from the harbour.

Important landmarks in the village include the Dutch influenced houses on Pan Ha'; the six-storey St Serf's Church Tower; Dysart Tolbooth and the Francis Collery gearhead which is situated on the northern boundaries.

[23] The Sinclair or St Clair family have held the position of feudal superiors or barons of the burgh of the estate of Dysart since 1407.

[6][24] A dispute between the St Clair family and the town inhabitants about the right to use the moorland resources was referred to the Convention of Royal Burghs in 1694 and was resolved only in 1718.

When this was occupied by Oliver Cromwell's troops in 1651, one of them accidentally dropped a match into a barrel of gunpowder (which was abandoned by a Dysart merchant) causing the roof to be blown apart.

[30] Other significant landmarks in the town include the 16th and 18th century painted dwellings on Pan Ha'; the six-storey St Serf's church tower and the harbour.

[27][33] During the restoration of the former Bay Horse Inn at Pan Ha', once the residence of a son of Lord Sinclair, two renaissance painted ceilings were discovered and are still retained by Historic Scotland.

[36] This is the only remaining part of St Serf's Church, which was abandoned in 1802 and largely cleared away for the building of Shore Road in 1807.

The earliest section of the house is the south range built for General James St Clair between 1755 and 1756, for which it is believed that the Adam Brothers provided the chimney pieces and the design.

[38] Today, the house is home to the headquarters of the Fife Countryside and Coast Trust and also has a bistro, shop and provides internet access.