After we were disappointed with the Gua Tempurung closure for maintenance, we drove to the nearest destination – Kellie’ Castle.
We had heard about this mystery castle for a long time but still do not have the opportunity to see it. After we reached there, there are already a lot of cars were parking outside the car park area.
Before going into the castle, there are some write ups on the history of this castle. From reading the display boards, only then we know the history of this mystery castle…
Kellie’s Castle was built by a Scottish planter his name called William Kellie Smith from a little town in Scotland. He built the building for his beloved wife and the building structure same reason point (a symbol of love) such as Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal). But the love of the stories was different.
In 1890 (as Malaysia was known at the times), a young Smith at the age of 20 left his home farm in Kellas for Malaya. It is not known why he ventured to Malaya for career opportunities much less when he actually arrived.
However, he integrated in to the community with ease. He bounced around several business opportunities finding some success but it wasn't until he met an estate owner called Alma Baker.
Baker obtained several government projects to built roads in South Perak and had won concessions from the state government to clear 360 hectares of forests in Perak. Their partnership in these projects led to quite a bit of profits.
Smith started planting rubber trees and dabbled in the tin mining industry. In time, he became the owner of Kinta Kellas Estate and the Kinta Kellas Tin Dredging Company and to purchase a 960 acre piece of land for his rubber tree plantation and homely estate in Batu Gajah.
Through various business ventures such as Planting Rubber Trees and the Tin Mining Industry, Smith's wealth grew.
In 1903, he returned to Scotland to marry his sweetheart Agnes. He brought her back to his home in Malaysia and later that year the couple was blessed with a daughter named Helen. He loved his daughter but wanted a son, an heir to his empire. Poor Agnes found it hard to conceive a second child. It was another eleven years before she became pregnant again. In 1915, Agnes gave birth to a son named Anthony. In celebration, Smith began planning the construction of a huge castle.
Because of his fascination of the Hindu religion and India, he incorporated much of the elements in to his new home. Bricks and tiles were imported from India. He even enlisted the help of 70 Indian workers from Madras of South India as skilled labourers for the construction of the mansion. Unfortunate, he ran in to one major setting back. Many of the workers contracted the Spanish Flu and died in the early 1920s.
A temple was built 1500 m from the castle for the deity Mariamman. Some say it was to protect those who lived on the property. Others say Kellie had it built as a way to thank Mariamman for granting his wish to have a son. However, the temple still stands and many continue to worship in it.
The first elevator in Malaysia is located in Kellie's Castle. It travels from the roof down to the underground tunnels. He also planned to build an indoor tennis court. The rooftop was reserved for a courtyard for parties. World War I slowed the process even more. In the end, Kellie's Castle was never completed.
Smith took a short trip to Britain in 1926 supposedly with his daughter. It's unknown why he made a detour to Lisbon, Portugal (some believe it was to pick up a lift for his new manor).
In December of 1926, he contracted pneumonia and died at age of 56. Agnes later packed up and left Malaysia with her children back to Scotland. She sold the castle to a British company called Harrisons and Crossfield.
Anthony Kellie Smith was killed in World War II. Helen never returned to Kellie's Castle. The only thing left of the first home is the covered walkway, an open courtyard and part of a crumbling wall.
Kellie's Castle has been refurbished and appears as if it has never been touched. It was even used as a setting in the 1999 film Anna and the King. A company manages the property as a tourist attraction now. Some believe it is haunted by the family it was built for.
William's spirit has been seen pacing at night in the 2nd floor corridor. Helen wearing a white blouse and curly hair haunts her old bedroom. Phantom smells of incense and spirits have been reported in the horse stables. Adding to its mystery, some believe the mansion possesses hidden rooms and secret underground tunnels.
After we bought the entrance tickets, we walked towards the castle through the connecting bridge. It was built by the side of the river.
The castle itself accommodated 14 rooms which consisted of dining hall, living hall, kitchen, master bedroom with bathroom attached, boy’s and girl’s room with bathroom attached, wine cellar, linen room, guard house, horse barn, guests rooms and secret rooms.
Due to it is public holiday weekend, this tourist spots too are crowded with the tourists from far and near. And, it is a hot day too.
All of us were sweating through the whole journey. But, the breeze was so calming when we were on top of the castle itself. Can have a clearer view looking down the compound of the area. Can see the river flows by just in front of the rooms.
Behind of this castle, is the workers’ house which I think was planned to be connected and form a centre court yard in the middle. There is a well in the centre of the courtyard, for daily drinking water at that point of time I presumed.
There is huge garden behind the castle, but we did not go as the weather was too hot for us.
Daddy and both Issac and Annabelle did see a small bat at one of the hole of the castle. It seems like the bat is still ‘sleeping’ or resting inside the cosy and wet area.
Finally, we were here. And, we headed to home after that.
