Newark Castle
Now in a ruinous state, Newark Castle and the surrounding grounds are most definitely past their prime. However, for a crumbling castle of its type, the stories and lore that come alongside the building seem to pile higher than the 4 stories tall it once stood.
What can be found at Newark Castle, in the present day, is a long range of ruins, stretching from the northerly end, to the south. The northern end towers higher than its southern part, which waits upon dangerous cliffs. Luckily, many vaulted areas and lower floor spaces of the castle remain intact, thanks to the decision to make efforts of mitigation towards public entry of the building. Now protected by walls of mesh fencing, the castle stands alone, with its fruitful past evaporating into the cavernous depths of history.
Constructed in the mid-1200's by Sir Alan Durward, Newark Castle was elegant, yet fully functional for its quaint size, in castle-means. Being the childhood residence of the future King Alexander III, the castle was certainly at no disadvantage from its counterparts. However, most of the beautiful work brought to life by Durward was changed dramatically, when Sir David Leslie, or Lord Newark, occupied the castle many years later.
Past Sketches
As shown above, the castle was mightily adored by those who had the opportunity to see it, and is still admired to this day, despite its shockingly derelict state. The castle was often sketched by fine artists in the area, and was a real centerpiece to the local scenery at the time. The feeling of centering a landmark around the village's scenery is very much respected today, but it is now channelled through the Parish Church, and the Zig-Zag Pier.
Fly-Over
As shown above in the video of Newark Castle's ruins, the structure most definitely has seen better days. The building serves, very much, as a reminder of the past, and tells us all that St Monans is rich in heritage. The royal links to the village cannot be forgotten, and a place with such character must be kept in the spotlight.
Viewer Photographs
For a more in-depth explanation of the castle's architecture, have a read of this article on Canmore. Once you are done, return to this page, and continue to learn about Newark Castle.
Moving closer to the present day, beyond the time of King Alexander III, the castle was passed on to the Kinloch family. This was in the 1400s, and the ideologies surrounding personal style, self-presentation and home architecture were changing, just as they would continue to, up until this very day. After the passing of Kinloch ownership, the Sandilands family took up the estate. This change in residents would prove to be vital, as the Sandilands were known lairds for nearly 150 years after moving to the castle. They extensively renovated the estate, and brought the building closer to the structure that Lord Newark would soon own after them.
General David Leslie, 1st Baron Newark, or Lord Newark, was a general in the Scottish Covenanter Army in the 'Thirty Years War' between Scotland, England, and Ireland in the 1600s. Leslie was captured in battle during the Battle of Worcester in 1651, where he would spend nine years locked in the Tower of London, by Cromwell's forces. When King Charles II was restored in Scotland, Leslie was freed, and returned to his native lands of Fife's East Neuk, where he lived out the last of his days, lavishly renovating Newark Castle, creating a Renaissance-style mansion that still sits atop cliffs, crumbling to dust, reminding us that these ruins have meaning.