Parbroath Castle facts for kids

Parbroath Castle is a very old, ruined castle in Creich, Fife, Scotland. It was once the home of a powerful family called Clan Seton. Today, only a small part of its stone structure remains in a field near Parbroath farm.

What is Parbroath Castle?

Parbroath Castle was an important building for the Seton family. It was their main home and a sign of their importance in the area. Most of the castle is now gone, but you can still see a piece of a stone vault. A vault is like a curved ceiling or roof, often found in old buildings.

Who Lived at Parbroath Castle?

One famous person connected to the castle was David Seton of Parbroath. He lived there in the late 1500s. David Seton had important jobs for the King and Queen of Scotland.

He was the comptroller for King James VI. A comptroller was like a chief accountant for the country's money. He managed the royal treasury, which held all the King's funds.

David Seton was also the Chamberlain of Dunfermline for Anne of Denmark, who was King James VI's wife. A chamberlain was a high-ranking official who managed the Queen's household and lands, especially around Dunfermline Palace. These were very trusted and powerful positions in 1590.

Why is it a 'Listed Building'?

In 1984, Parbroath Castle was named a Category C listed building. This means it is a building that is important to Scotland's history. The government protects these buildings to make sure they are preserved for the future. Being "listed" helps to keep old places safe from being destroyed or changed too much.

Where Does the Name Come From?

The name Parbroath is very old. It was first written down in 1315 as Partebrothoc. Experts think the name might come from the Pictish language. The Picts were an ancient people who lived in Scotland a long time ago.

The first part, *part-, is similar to the Welsh word parth, which means "side," "area," or "region." The second part, *Brothoc, was an old name for a nearby stream called the Fernie Burn. This part might come from a word similar to the Welsh word brwd, which means "warm" or "hot," with a small ending that means "little." So, the name might mean something like "the area by the little warm stream."