History told us that the construction of this mansion began in the year 1915 during the time of the British Occupation of Malaya. Malaya has since gained independance and is now known as Malaysia. The owner, William Kellie Smith was a wealthy Scottish planter who made his fortune in Malaya by helping to construct public roads in South Perak. He then purchased 960 acres of jungle land in the district of Kinta and used it to plant rubber. Rubber was one of the commodity that was in great demand a that time. He diversified his agriculture venture by going into tin mining industry. Hence he established himself as the owner of Kinta Kellas Estate and the Kinta Kellas Tin Dredging Company. He probably chose the name Kellas as he was born on March 1, 1870 in Easter Kellas, Scotland.
As he prospered, he built his first house known as Kellas House in the estate in 1910 for his wife, Agnes Smith and their first child, Helen Agnes. This house and its ruin can still be seen today which is located just beside Kellie's Castle. What is left of the first house today is just the foundation and parts of the wall.
