Clan Rising
Newark Castle today

Scotland · Ruin

Newark Castle

Newark Castle is a 15th-century ruined tower house on a rocky promontory just west of St Monans on the east coast of Fife, Scotland. The upper storeys are now ruinous while vaulted cellars survive beneath; a separate round dovecote stands nearby and the site is a scheduled monument.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1500

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1500

What Newark Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on a low rocky headland directly above the North Sea, the castle is dominated by a tall, rectangular multi-storey stone tower with vertical window openings and battered lower walls, beside fragments of curtain wall including a large arched opening and low ranges of rubble masonry. To the east sits a distinct small round stone dovecote/tower. All masonry is pale-brown local stone; roofs are absent in the photo, but at its prime the tower and curtain walls would have been complete above vaulted cellars.

Its story

The story of Newark Castle.

Newark Castle stands on a rocky promontory just west of St Monans on the Fife coast, overlooking the North Sea. The present building was begun in the 15th century by the Kinloch family and passed by marriage to the Sandilands of Cruivie.

In 1649 the Sandilands sold it to David Leslie, a prominent commander in the English and Scottish Civil Wars who became Lord Newark after them. Following Leslie's death in 1682 the castle passed to the Anstruther family, and finally to the Bairds of Elie. The upper storeys are now ruinous, but vaulted cellars survive beneath, hidden from view; a separate round dovecote stands nearby, and the site is a scheduled monument.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1500.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Newark Castle, including 2 interiors: round dovecote (exterior and interior), vaulted cellars (subterranean). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Seaward approach from the waterClifftop approach from landMain tower exteriorArch in the curtain wallRound dovecote (exterior and interior)Vaulted cellars (subterranean)Inner courtyard

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Whose castle

Clans who held Newark Castle.

The families that held Newark Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Kinloch

    The Kinloch family began the present castle in the 15th century.

  • Sandilands

    Passed by marriage to the Sandilands of Cruivie, who sold it in 1649.

  • Leslie

    Held by David Leslie, Lord Newark, from 1649 until his death in 1682.

  • Anstruther

    Passed to the Anstruther family after Leslie's death in 1682.

  • Baird

    Held latterly by the Bairds of Elie.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Newark Castle.

Tannadice Park, ScotlandStadiumTannadice Park33 km awayBell Rock Lighthouse, ScotlandLighthouseBell Rock Lighthouse35 km awayEaster Road, ScotlandStadiumEaster Road36 km away

Questions about Newark Castle

What is the history of Newark Castle?

Newark Castle was begun in the 15th century by the Kinloch family. It passed by marriage to the Sandilands of Cruivie, who sold it to David Leslie in 1649. After Leslie’s death in 1682, it passed to the Anstruther family and finally to the Bairds of Elie. Its upper storeys later became ruinous, while the vaulted cellars survived.

What is inside Newark Castle?

Inside Newark Castle, vaulted cellars survive beneath the ruined upper storeys. A separate round dovecote nearby also has documented interior and exterior features. The cellars are subterranean and hidden from view, while the upper levels are ruinous.

Where is Newark Castle?

Newark Castle stands just west of St Monans on the east coast of Fife, above the North Sea. It occupies a rocky promontory on the Fife coast, in the administrative area of Fife. St Monans is the nearest named settlement in the supplied material.

When was Newark Castle built?

Newark Castle was built in the 15th century. The present building was begun by the Kinloch family, although the precise year it was first raised is not recorded. It therefore belongs to the 15th-century phase of castle building rather than having a documented exact construction date.

Which family or clan held Newark Castle?

The Kinloch family began Newark Castle in the 15th century. It then passed by marriage to the Sandilands of Cruivie, who sold it in 1649 to David Leslie, Lord Newark. After Leslie’s death in 1682, it passed to the Anstruther family and was later held by the Bairds of Elie.

What did Newark Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Newark Castle had a tall rectangular multi-storey stone tower with vertical window openings and battered lower walls. Curtain-wall fragments included a large arched opening and low rubble-masonry ranges, with a separate small round stone dovecote to the east. The masonry was pale-brown local stone, and the tower and walls stood above vaulted cellars.

Is Newark Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Newark Castle is now a ruin, but its vaulted cellars survive beneath the upper storeys. The upper levels are ruinous, and roofs are absent in the described view. Fragments of curtain wall, including a large arched opening and low rubble-masonry ranges, also remain; the site is a scheduled monument.

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