Kellie's Castle
An unfinished mansion built in the early 20th century by Scottish planter William Kellie Smith, blending Moorish, Indian and Scottish styles. It is said to be haunted.
Kellie's Castle stands in Batu Gajah, about 25 km south of Ipoh. It sits on a small hill within the Kinta Kellas rubber estate, overlooking the Raya River. Its builder was Scotsman William Kellie Smith, who made his fortune running rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya. Around 1915 he began building this grand residence for his family, recruiting about 70 craftsmen from Madras in India and importing bricks, tiles and marble from India. The architecture blends Moorish arched windows, Indian-style elements and Scottish castle features. However, Kellie died in 1926 while traveling to Portugal, and work came to a halt. His family returned to Scotland, and the castle was left as an unfinished ruin. Today visitors can explore the multi-storey rooms of the main building, its spiral staircase, rooftop terrace and underground passages. The weathered red-brick walls create an eerie atmosphere, and all kinds of ghost stories circulate among locals. Admission is about RM10–20 (higher for foreign visitors; check on site). Opening hours are approximately 09:00–18:00. Getting there: about 30 minutes by car from Ipoh. Public transport is inconvenient, so a taxi or hired car is recommended. It can be combined with Kampar Old Town and the Tambun area for a day trip. Note: some staircases are narrow and steep, so please take care.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5
- Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)
- Kek Look Tong
- Sam Poh Tong
- Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village
- Ling Sen Tong & Nam Thean Tong
- Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng
- Gua Tempurung