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Dysart Day Level

Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Drainage Day Level (built 1749).

Constructed to drain coal seam(s) in the local area, following the strike of the Dysart Main Coal and rising at Dysart Harbour where this coal seam outcropped.

Simplified(?) route of level shown on old Geological map, extending N and then NW from Dysart Harbour to a point at Kingslaw (NT 2987 9523), due E of the Redhouse Roundabout. This fits the trend shown on the Fife levels map of the Fife Pits website.

A locked access door controlled by the Coal Authority reportedly located in a corner in the cliff-face at the back of Dysart Harbour potentially provides access, although this could potentially be a seal for gas leakage. OS namebook descriptions suggest the level mouth may be a rising known as the 'Alum Well' [NT 3010 9269].

Alternative Names: Dysart Level, Dysart Day-Level

Notes: Given coordinates generic for harbour area.

Length on Fife Pits website stated to be "4840 yds (4360 m)", but the possibly-idealised line shown on geological map is <2,650 m (incl. distance to Alum Well).

"Obscured and passed by unnoticed, tucked away in a hidden corner in the cliff face at the back of Dysart harbour, Fife is the day level into the Wemyss Colliery workings probably the Blanche and Lady pits. It's acquired a new bolt over the last few months." [Mining Landscapes].

OS namebook suggest that the Alum Well to the SW of the harbour is the mouth of a day level - "Alum Well: natural outlet for the water from the Parrot Coal waste, technically called a day level. The water issues from the sand 1 1/2 chains below High water mark N [North] of the Harbour." [OS Namebook]

"Robert Stevenson was commissioned to report on the harbour's state in 1819, when coal from the Lady Blanche colliery was a major export, and in 1829 the new inner dock was complete, it "included an inner harbour which, closed by dock gates, allowed ships to load coal at all stages of the tide" and "was the first harbour on the east coast of Scotland to have such a facility"." [HES]

"O2 deficient atmosphere found in old store at Dysart Harbour. New security grille with access door installed and gap between top of wall and rock face sealed with security mesh. Building vented. (28/06/2001)" [Scottish Govt report]