[MALAYSIA] Perak - Kellie’s Castle

08:00 Travel Bunny 0 Comments


Kellie's Castle is is a popular tourist attraction in Perak, known for its unique architecture, tragic history, and a reputation for being haunted. Situated near Batu Gajah, this unfinished mansion is a must-see for its unique architecture and compelling backstory. 

The castle was the brainchild of William Kellie-Smith (1870–1926), a Scottish planter who made his fortune in the tin and rubber industries in the Kinta Valley. Construction began in 1915 following the birth of his son and heir, Anthony. 

Kellie-Smith planned to build a grand, palatial home unlike any other in Malaya. His plans were extremely ambitious, including what would have been Malaya's first-ever elevator, a rooftop courtyard, an indoor tennis court, and even secret tunnels and rooms. He imported tiles and bricks and brought in craftsmen from India, to work on the project.

However, construction was plagued by misfortune. The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 tragically took the lives of many of his workers. Then, in 1926, William Kellie-Smith suddenly died of pneumonia during a trip to Lisbon, Portugal. His devastated wife, Agnes, and their children never returned to Malaya, and the castle was left abandoned and incomplete.

Today, Kellie's Castle has been restored enough to allow visitors to safely explore its atmospheric halls and passages. It was one of the settings in the 1999 Oscar-nominated film “Anna and the King”, starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-fat.

This is Kellie's first home named as Kellas House, where he stayed with his family. Built in 1905, this house was partially destroyed during the World War II.

The castle's architecture is a fascinating blend of Scottish, Moorish, and Indian styles.

We walked through the mansion leisurely, exploring rooms, looking for hidden stairways and secret tunnels. One of the tunnels is rumoured to connect to a nearby Hindu temple, which Kellie-Smith agreed to build for his workers. 

The rooftop is also open to visitors to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area.

Due to its tragic history and abandoned state for decades, Kellie's Castle has gained a reputation for being haunted. Don’t worry, chances are you won’t see any during day time, hehe. 

The castle's unique architecture and ruined state make it an excellent spot for photographers. We spent about an hour here before heading north to Lost World of Tambun! Stay tuned for the next post.

Kellie’s Castle
Opening hours: 9.30am – 10pm, last entry 9.30pm (Daily)
Admission fee: RM 9 (Malaysian adult), RM 7 (Malaysian child), RM 6 (Malaysian senior citizen), RM 6 (group primary school 20 pax), RM 8 (group secondary school/uni/college 20 pax), RM 16 (non-Malaysian adult), RM 13 (non-Malaysian child), free for child age under 3

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