Kellie's Castle @ Batu Gajah, Perak

During our 4D3N KL Trip, we drop-by Kellie's Castle at Batu Gajah after having our breakfast at Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum in Ipoh. Museum/historical place is not really our thing but since it was our first time and we just wanted to go somewhere we both have never been before. 

Kellie's Castle - Not for the Faint-Hearted!

Since I used to be a licensed tour guide, I did learned a thing or two about Kellie's Castle. It was believed that William Kellie Smith actually built the castle out of love for his wife - Agnes, just like Taj Mahal where King Mughal Shah Jahan built it for the wife. So Kellie's Castle was supposed to be a romantic place. So why ended up it is haunted? Read on!

When you are visiting to Kellie's Castle, there is a bridge linking it from the entrance to the castle. Entrance fee is RM5 per adult, RM3 for children below 12 years old and RM4 for senior citizen above 60 years old. Meanwhile, for foreigners, the entrance fee would be RM10 per adult and RM8 per children below 12 years old. If you are interested to do pre-wedding photoshoot, you will be charged for RM50 per still camera.

Many would not know that the building that is seen from the roadside or entrance is actually not the main front-facing building. As you would noticed, there is not any front door or main entrance welcoming you to enter but rather a small path leading to a enter thru a side door. 

Kellie's Castle consists of Scottish, Moorish, and Tamilvanan Indian architecture, which was believe to model the secretariat building of Kuala Lumpur. It was built with thick walls to insulate from the tropical heat and multiple passageway to aid the ventilation, which were crucial for his beloved wife and newborn son to get used to the weather after moving from Scotland. 

Unfortunately, the construction of Kellie's Castle came to an abrupt halt with few incidents such as the broke out of epidemic "Spanish Flu" as well as his sudden death due to pneumonia when he was in Lisbon, Portugal to collect his "lift/elevator" for his Kellie's Castle. Agnes and the family was too heartbroken that they decided not to come back and sold it off.

The new owner, a British company called Harrisons and Crosfield, was never interested in the castle and so it was left half-completed until today. Over the time, rumors has it that it was haunted with the soul of the owner, William Kellie Smith, overlooking his estate. Some said that even at night, one would hear some noises or even see shadow of a human walking at the passageway. 

Kellie's Castle deteriorated further during World War II where it was believed that the bombing of Japanese destroyed part of the castle. Only in the recent years, efforts have been made by the Perak state government to rescue such a priceless architecture.  

Personally, I feel that the castle is similar to those western country where there is a river surrounding the castle to protect it from the intruders. It was claimed that there used to be crocodiles in the river back in the days too. 

So do you think it is haunted?

 Or a romantic place for Pre-Wedding Photoshoot?

Let me know in the comment below! Share with me if you have heard stories of it or even personally experience. Overall, we had a great time there, mainly taking photos. For me, I would prefer to believe in the romantic part, like how I wish I could be rich enough to build a castle for my family and the legacy to live on! 

Kellie's Castle

31000 Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia

+60 5-365 3381

Opens daily from 9am - 6pm

Last entry at 5.30pm