Newark Castle, Fife facts for kids
Newark Castle is an old, ruined castle found on the east coast of Fife, Scotland. It's located near the village of St Monans. This castle stands right by the North Sea, offering amazing views. While the upper parts of the castle are mostly gone, some hidden underground rooms, called cellars, are still there!
Contents
The Castle's Story
Early Days and Royal Visits
People think that buildings have stood on this spot since the 1200s. A long time ago, a Scottish king named Alexander III (who lived from 1241 to 1286) spent some of his childhood years right here at Newark Castle. Imagine a king playing in these very grounds!
Who Owned the Castle?
The castle you see today was started in the 1400s by a family called Kinloch. Over time, the castle changed hands many times:
- It went to the Sandilands of Cruivie family through marriage.
- In 1649, they sold it to David Leslie.
- David Leslie was a very important general during the English and Scottish Civil Wars. Because of his bravery and leadership, he was given the special title of Lord Newark after the wars.
- After Lord Newark passed away in 1682, the castle was owned by the Anstruther family.
- Finally, it belonged to the Bairds of Elie family.
What's in a Name?
Newark Castle has been called by a few different names over the years. Some of its old names include Inverie, St Monans, and St Monance. The name "St Monance" is an older way of saying "St Monan's."
Protecting History
Today, Newark Castle and its old dovecote (a building for pigeons) are protected by an organization called Historic Environment Scotland. They have made it a "scheduled monument." This means it's a very important historical site that needs to be preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
