Friday, October 13, 2017

Kellie's Castle

This castle was built by a Scottish man, a  rubber tree planter, named William Kellie Smith for his beloved wife as a symbol of love. His wife Agnes gave birth to a daughter but he wanted a son. After 11 years she gave birth to a son and thereafter the construction of this castle started, to celebrate baby Anthony.

Bricks and marbles were imported from India. Kellie enlisted 70 Madras workers to build this castle. Unfortunately many of these workers contracted the Spanish flu and died.

A temple was built about 1500m from the castle to worship the deity Mariamman and to protect those living in the property. The temple still stands today.

The first elevator in Malaysia is located in Kellie's Castle. It travels from the roof down to the underground tunnels. The rooftop was designed for parties. World War 1 slowed down the construction of this castle but eventually it was never completed.

Kellie took a trip to Britain in 1926, made a detour to Portugal, contracted pneumonia and died.
Agnes packed the children and left Malaysia, back to Scotland. She sold the castle to Harrisons & Crossfield, a British company.

This grounds was used for the 1999 film Anna and the King setting.

This castle is haunted by Kellie's spirit, so the locals believe. Phantom smells of incense and spirits have been reported in the horse stables.



The stables






Original castle


















Living room