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Kellie’s Castle, Batu Gajah – Malaysia

April 8, 2011 By James Clark 5 Comments

Kellie's Castle, Batu Gajah - Malaysia

Not far from the city of Ipoh in Malaysia is a curious building known as Kellie’s Castle. It is actually an unfinished mansion built by Scottish planter, William Kellie Smith. This grand home features Malaysia’s first elevator and imported building material from India.

Smith built his first mansion in 1909. With a birth his son and heir in 1915, he began work on the second mansion, and the troubles followed soon after. Many of his workers were killed by Spanish flu after WWI, and construction costs blew out, draining his wealth. Construction halted in 1926 when Smith died.

Travel Photos: Kellie’s Castle Photo Gallery

Filed Under: Travel Photos Tagged With: batu gajah, buildings, castle, ipoh, malaysia

About James Clark

James Clark is the founder of Nomadic Notes. He has been a digital nomad since 2003, and Nomadic Notes features trip reports, train travel articles, and where to stay guides. He writes about transport and urban development at Future Southeast Asia. Subscribe to the weekly travel newsletter.

Comments

  1. Choku says

    April 11, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    Really interestin history…it seems a legend. Are in this castle any ghosts???

    Reply
  2. Kirk says

    April 12, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    Thanks for the photo and the brief post. What do they use the castle for now and who owns it? I bet it would cost a bit to purchase.

    Reply
  3. Louer Villa Italie says

    April 18, 2011 at 6:21 am

    The death of Smith was unfortunate. I hope the Department of Museum and Antiquities, Malyasia will take responsibility to complete the fort. Untill visitors will enjoy its charm and hospitality.

    Reply
  4. James Clark says

    April 22, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    There is a legend of a ghost that appears in the mansion.

    I don’t know it would be completed, but is was over run with jungle for a while, so at least it is maintained now.

    Reply
  5. Razarazlan says

    September 4, 2011 at 4:28 am

    may i know this place have been for shooting location of one movie……what the name of movie that been used this location ….how the director found this place…

    Reply

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Hi, I’m James Clark, and I've been travelling the world since 2003 while running a location independent travel business. Nomadic Notes is a travel blog featuring travel guides and notes from my travels.

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