The Ghosts of Craigdarroch Castle: Victoria’s Haunted Victorian Mansion

Rising above the cityscape of Victoria, British Columbia, the majestic Craigdarroch Castle is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, a symbol of wealth, ambition, and tragedy. Built in the late 1800s for coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, the castle has long been celebrated for its grandeur but it’s also whispered about for the ghosts that may still wander its oak-paneled halls and spiral staircases.

With a rich history touched by family loss, unfulfilled dreams, and strange occurrences, Craigdarroch Castle has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most haunted historic landmarks.

A Brief History of Craigdarroch Castle

Construction on Craigdarroch began in 1887, commissioned by Scottish immigrant and wealthy industrialist Robert Dunsmuir. The castle was meant to be a grand statement of his success, but Dunsmuir died unexpectedly in 1889, before he could see it completed. His widow, Joan Dunsmuir, moved into the castle with their children when it was finished in 1890. The family’s tenure in the mansion, though luxurious, was also marked by internal strife and misfortune, and the property changed hands multiple times over the next century, serving as a military hospital, college, and conservatory. All the while, whispers of unexplained phenomena grew steadily louder.

Paranormal Activity Inside the Castle

Over the years, countless visitors, staff, and paranormal investigators have reported strange and chilling experiences inside Craigdarroch Castle. Some of the most commonly cited ghostly encounters include:

• The Lady in White: One of the castle’s most famous ghosts is a spectral woman in white, often seen gliding down the grand staircase or peering from upper-story windows. Many believe she is the spirit of Joan Dunsmuir, forever lingering in the home she so fiercely protected.
  Children’s laughter and footsteps: Despite the castle often being empty at night, staff have reported the sounds of children playing, footsteps running down halls, and doors opening or slamming shut on their own.
  Disembodied music: The castle once housed a conservatory and a ballroom, and some guests have claimed to hear the distant sound of piano music, even when no instruments are being played.
  Shadow figures and cold spots: Multiple paranormal investigators have captured images of dark shapes moving through rooms and hallways. Cold spots and sudden temperature drops are often felt near the tower and servant quarters.
  Feelings of being watched: Perhaps the most common experience reported by visitors is a persistent feeling of being observed, especially on the upper floors and in the tower.

Investigations and Tours

While Craigdarroch Castle is primarily a heritage museum today, its haunted reputation has attracted interest from ghost hunters and spiritual mediums. Paranormal groups have recorded EMF spikes, EVP recordings, and odd light anomalies in various parts of the mansion. Though the castle does not promote itself primarily as a haunted attraction, some special nighttime tours and events particularly around Halloween, do explore the darker side of its history.

A Beautifully Haunted Legacy

What makes the hauntings of Craigdarroch Castle particularly poignant is that the spirits said to reside there are not malicious they seem to be residual echoes of a once-powerful family, their energy imprinted on the grand home they built and lost.

Whether you visit for the opulent woodwork, the stained glass, or the ghost stories, Craigdarroch Castle offers a unique blend of history, mystery, and beauty a place where the past seems very much alive. Would you dare to walk the castle’s winding tower stairs alone, knowing someone might be following you? Or listen closely in the music room to hear ghostly notes echoing from the past? The answers, perhaps, are waiting inside Craigdarroch Castle.