Craigdarroch Castle: A Scottish Legacy in the Heart of British Columbia
- Clan Baird Society Worldwide, Inc.
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
Tucked into the leafy Rockland neighborhood of Victoria, British Columbia, Craigdarroch Castle rises like a Highland mirage—its turrets, stained glass, and stone façade echoing the grandeur of Scotland’s baronial past. But this isn’t just a pretty Victorian mansion. It’s one of the most authentically Scottish places in North America, a cultural beacon built by a man whose roots ran deep into Ayrshire soil.

A Castle Born of Coal and Ambition
The story begins with Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who struck it rich in the coal mines of Vancouver Island. By the late 1800s, Dunsmuir was the wealthiest man in Western Canada, and he wanted the world to know it. His answer? A 25,000-square-foot mansion built in the Scottish baronial style, perched atop a hill with sweeping views of Victoria.
Though Dunsmuir died before its completion in 1890, his widow Joan and their children carried on the vision. The name “Craigdarroch” itself is a nod to his homeland—Gaelic for “rocky oak place”, evoking the rugged beauty of Scotland’s natural landscape.
Scottish Style, Victorian Splendor

Craigdarroch Castle is a textbook example of Scottish baronial architecture, a style that blends medieval fortress elements with Victorian opulence. Think turrets, battlements, and steep gables—features that wouldn’t be out of place in the Highlands.
Inside, the castle is a masterclass in craftsmanship:
Intricate woodwork using oak, mahogany, and cherry
Stained glass windows believed to be from Pacific Art Glass Works of San Francisco
Victorian-era furnishings that reflect the Dunsmuirs’ wealth and taste
Even the castle’s layout—with its 39 rooms, 17 fireplaces, and a tower accessed by 87 steps—feels like a love letter to the grand homes of Scotland.
A Family Tragedy
Robert Dunsmuir had two sons and eight daughters. Despite planning and funding the building, he never lived in the castle. It was completed after his death. Despite promising otherwise to his sons, Robert Dunsmuir left his entire estate and business holdings to his wife, Joan. This was a major blow to his sons, James and Alex, who had spent their adult lives working in the family business. It took seven years of negotiations for Joan to transfer the San Francisco company to them, and another three years before she agreed to sell them the Wellington Colliery.
With the deal finalized, Alex finally felt financially secure enough to marry Josephine, a woman he had lived with for nearly two decades. Sadly, just six weeks after their wedding, Alex died while on their honeymoon in New York on January 31, 1900.
His death sparked another bitter conflict—this time over his will. The dispute pitted Joan and her daughters against James and escalated into a high-profile lawsuit that reached the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, then Canada’s highest court. The case gained public attention, with headlines like “Premier Sued by His Mother”—as James was serving as Premier of British Columbia at the time.
The lawsuit caused a deep rift between mother and son. They didn’t speak for years. When Joan passed away in 1908 after living in Craigdarroch for 18 years, reports suggested James, then Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, wouldn’t attend her funeral. But he changed his mind at the last moment—and during the service, he wept.
A Cultural Outpost of Scotland in North America
Craigdarroch Castle isn’t just a historic house—it’s a living monument to Scottish heritage. Alongside places like Bannerman Castle in New York and Glenlaurel in Ohio, it ranks among the most Scottish-inspired landmarks on the continent.
Its legacy is more than architectural:
It symbolizes the Scottish immigrant experience, from hardship to prosperity.
It preserves the aesthetic and cultural values of 19th-century Scotland.
It serves as a gathering place for those seeking to connect with their roots, especially during events like Robert Burns Day or Tartan Day.
Why It Matters Today
In a world where cultural identity can feel diluted, Craigdarroch Castle stands as a proud reminder of how Scottish heritage helped shape North America. For descendants of Scottish immigrants—and for anyone enchanted by castles, kilts, and clan lore—it’s a place where history breathes through stone and stained glass.
So if you ever find yourself in Victoria, don’t just tour a castle. Step into a story—one that began in the coalfields of Ayrshire and found its crown jewel on Canada’s Pacific coast.
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