The Frances Pit (originally known as the Francis Pit) was sunk to the north of Dysart in an area known as the 'Dubbie Braes' between 1874-1877. The pit was commisioned by the Earl of Rosslyn Collieries Ltd. The Fife Coal Company opened a surface mine in 1924 and re-developed the pit in the 1930's.
The coal worked by the Frances lay under the Firth of Forth and hence the pit had continual problems with flooding. Water was pumped out of the workings at the rate of 1,500 gallons a minute. The direction of the coal seams meant that it was decided to merge the Frances with the nearby Seafield Colliery. The Frances was still used for men and materials but all production was brought to the surface at Seafield.
During the miners strike in 1984 fires started by spontaneous combustion broke out in one area of the workings. The Frances ceased operating on 2nd February 1985 and along with Seafield nearby finally closed in January 1988.
Near the co-ordinates is a memorial to the men who lost their lives in the Frances Colliery. The pit head gear which has been restored can be seen in the distance.