William Kellie Smith was a Scottish planter who became a legendary figure in Malaysian history through the construction of Kellie’s Castle, an ambitious, unfinished mansion in Batu Gajah, Perak.
The two images you shared capture the essence of this story: the man behind the dream (William) and the hauntingly beautiful result of his "folly" as it stood decades after his death.
The Man: William Kellie Smith (1870–1926)
Born in Kellas, Scotland, William arrived in Malaya in 1890 at age 20 with little to his name. He was a civil engineer by trade but found his fortune in the rubber and tin mining industries.
A Rags-to-Riches Tale: After successful ventures with New Zealander Charles Alma Baker, William bought 1,000 acres of jungle land and established his own estate, Kinta Kellas.
Family Life: In 1903, he married his sweetheart, Agnes, and brought her to Malaya. They had a daughter, Helen (1904), but William desperately wanted a male heir. When his son, Anthony, was born in 1915, it became the catalyst for building the grand castle.
The Monument: Kellie’s Castle
The castle was intended to be a symbol of William’s love for his family and a grand social hub for the colonial elite. It is famous for its unique blend of Moorish Revival, Indo-Saracenic, and Scottish architectural styles.
Fascinating Features
Malaya's First Elevator: William planned to install the country’s first elevator in the 6-story tower. The elevator shaft remains visible today.
Secret Tunnels: There are at least three discovered underground tunnels, one of which reportedly leads to a nearby Hindu temple.
Intricate Masonry: He brought 70 craftsmen from Madras, India, to ensure the brickwork and marble details were authentic to the Indo-Saracenic style.
Why Was it Never Finished?
The construction was plagued by misfortune, earning it the nickname "Kellie's Folly."
The Spanish Flu (1918): Many of the Indian workers died during the global pandemic. To appease the gods and seek protection, William funded the construction of a Hindu temple nearby. In gratitude, the workers placed a small statue of William on the temple’s roof alongside their deities.
Sudden Death (1926): While on a trip to Lisbon, Portugal, to collect the elevator for his castle, William contracted pneumonia and died at age 56.
Abandonment: Devastated, his wife Agnes sold the estate and returned to Scotland with their children. The castle was left to the jungle until the Malaysian government restored it as a heritage site.
Legends and Pop Culture
Today, the castle is a major tourist attraction in Perak, though it is often called the most haunted place in Malaysia. Visitors claim to see the spirit of William pacing the corridors or his daughter Helen in her old bedroom. Its dramatic silhouette also served as a filming location for the 1999 movie Anna and the King.
GHOST OF KELLIE'S CASTLE
Kellie’s Castle, located in Batu Gajah, Perak, is widely considered one of the most haunted locations in Malaysia. The "ghosts" of the castle are deeply tied to its tragic history: a dream home that was never finished, a family that never lived in it, and laborers who perished during its construction.
Here are the most famous spirits said to inhabit the ruins:
1. The Ghost of William Kellie Smith
The most frequent sighting is of the castle’s owner himself. Despite dying of pneumonia in Lisbon, Portugal in 1926, many believe his spirit returned to his unfinished masterpiece.
Where he is seen: Usually spotted pacing the second-floor corridor (the Cloister Balcony) or looking out of the windows.
The Sighting: A Canadian couple once reported seeing a man in a white suit looking out a window at night, matching the description of Smith.
2. The Ghostly Daughter (Helen)
William’s daughter, Helen, for whom a room was specially designed, is another common apparition.
Where she is seen: In her former bedroom or wandering the corridors near the spiral staircases.
The Sighting: Visitors have reported a young girl in a white dress with long hair. Some claim to feel a sudden "chill" or the sensation of being watched while standing in her room.
3. "Mr. Gopal" – The Disheartened Worker
A newer addition to the castle’s lore is a spirit identified as "Mr. Gopal," a laundryman from South India.
The Story: He was reportedly a worker who died at the castle. His spirit supposedly surfaced during a 2015 paranormal investigation where a participant was "possessed" and spoke in English, claiming his employer (Smith) had failed to send him back home to his wife in India as promised.
4. Spirits of the Spanish Flu Victims
In 1918, a devastating outbreak of the Spanish Flu killed 70 of the Indian craftsmen working on the castle.
The Haunting: Many believe the "heavy" atmosphere in the basement and the secret tunnels is due to these workers. Eerie whispers, cries, and the sound of footsteps are often reported in the dark, narrow passageways.
Spooky Features of the Castle
The architecture itself adds to the ghostly reputation:
Secret Tunnels: There are four known secret tunnels, one of which supposedly leads to a nearby Hindu temple. Three have been found, but the fourth remains a mystery.
The Empty Lift Shaft: The castle was meant to house Malaysia's first elevator. Today, the empty shaft stands as a hollow, dark reminder of the unfinished dream.
World War II Shadows: Rumors persist that the Japanese army used the castle as a site for executions and torture during the occupation, adding a darker layer to its paranormal history.
Travel Tip: If you're feeling brave, the castle management occasionally organizes night tours (typically in October), where visitors can explore the ruins by torchlight.
While Kellie’s Castle is famous for its resident ghosts, it also holds a permanent spot in Hollywood history. Because the Thai government refused to allow the production of Anna and the King (1999) to film in Thailand (due to historical inaccuracies), the producers moved almost the entire shoot to Malaysia, using the castle as a primary set.
Filming at the Castle
In the movie, Kellie’s Castle was used to portray parts of the King’s Palace and grounds.
The Look: The castle's unique Moorish and Indo-Saracenic architecture perfectly matched the 19th-century Siamese aesthetic the director wanted.
A "Secret" Location: At the time of filming, the production team kept many of their locations under wraps to avoid crowds. The castle’s grand arches and unfinished brickwork provided a majestic, slightly weathered backdrop for Jodie Foster (Anna) and Chow Yun-fat (King Mongkut).
Other Nearby Filming Locations
The production didn’t just stop at the castle; it took over several parts of the state of Perak and beyond:
Ipoh Railway Station: Transformed into a 19th-century Thai railway station.
Papan: A small town near Batu Gajah where a historic Mandailing mansion (Rumah Besar Papan) was used for palace interior shots.
Penang: The City Hall was used as the Royal Court Room, and Armenian Street was turned into the bustling streets of old Bangkok.
Parit: A village house here served as Anna’s traditional home.
The "Hollywood" Connection to the Hauntings
Interestingly, the movie production actually helped boost the castle's spooky reputation:
The "Discovery" of the Ruins: Before the film, Kellie’s Castle was much more of a "hidden gem" or a local ruin. The massive scale of the 1999 production brought global eyes to the site, leading to more visitors and, subsequently, more reported paranormal encounters.
A Cinematic Aura: Some visitors today find it hard to separate the "ghostly" atmosphere from the "cinematic" one, as the castle still feels like a grand, abandoned stage set.
Because Anna and the King (1999) was filmed almost entirely in Malaysia, the production featured a wealth of local talent. Several of Malaysia's most respected actors, comedians, and performers appeared alongside Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-fat.
Here are the prominent Malaysians who appeared in the film:
Key Supporting Roles
Syed Alwi (The Kralahome): The legendary playwright and actor played one of the most significant roles in the film as the King's Prime Minister (The Kralahome). His commanding presence made him a standout in the political subplots.
Deanna Yusoff (Lady Thiang): A well-known Malaysian actress and singer, she played the King’s head wife. Her character is pivotal as she acts as a bridge between the King’s traditions and Anna’s western influence.
Mano Maniam (Moonshee): A veteran of Malaysian stage and screen, he played Moonshee, Anna’s loyal Indian servant who travels with her to Siam.
Shanthini Venugopal (Beebe): A beloved theater performer and storyteller in Malaysia, she played the nanny to Anna’s son, Louis (played by a young Tom Felton).
Familiar Faces in Smaller Roles
You might also recognize these famous Malaysian personalities who had supporting or cameo roles:
Harith Iskander (Nikorn): Now known as the "Godfather of Malaysian Stand-Up Comedy," he played one of the palace officials.
Afdlin Shauki (Interpreter): The multi-talented director, actor, and comedian appeared as an interpreter.
Sean Ghazi (Khun Phra Balat): The award-winning singer and actor played a high-ranking official.
Patrick Teoh & Kee Thuan Chye: Both veteran actors and social commentators appeared as judges in the court scenes.
Zaibo: The late, great comedian (famous for Spanar Jaya and Under One Roof) played a Siamese trader.
Dharma Harun Al-Rashid: Played the character Noi.
Fun Fact: The Kids
The production also cast many local children to play the King's numerous sons and daughters. Melissa Campbell, who played the heartbreaking role of Princess Fa-Ying, and Keith Chin, who played Prince Chulalongkorn, were both young Malaysian talents at the time.
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9 January 2026: 7.06 p.m