Newark Castle, in the little town of St. Monance, consists of a few fragments of an early thick wall of enceinte, and a round tower and domestic apartments built at a much later date. It stands on a rocky cliff overlooking the Firth of Forth. It once belonged to the famous soldier, David Leslie, renowned in the civil wars of the seventeenth century, who built much of what now stands.

St. Monans in the East Neuk of Fife is well worth a visit to capture the atmosphere of an old, close knit, Fishing community. For centuries the people of St. Monans lived, worked, and worshipped by the sea. It was part of their life and a constant struggle just to survive. The old houses of St. Monans reflect this struggle as they fight for a precious foothold on the rocky shores around the harbor. Even the old Church to the west of the village stands defiant on the sea shore.

The village was originally called Inverin but eventually took its name from St. Monans who lived in a cave near the Old Church and may well have been killed by invading pirates. The present Church was built in 1362 to replace an earlier Chapel on this site. It was built on the instruction of David II for his gratitude in being rescued after his ship was wrecked in the Firth of Forth.

If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me at;

sandystevenson@thefreesite.com

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