Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria (Throwback post)

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

From Vancouver we took the ferry and bus over to Vancouver Island, and to its main town of Victoria. Had we been able to drive here, it would have been great to tour around the island more, but as it was, we were quite content to spend a month enjoying the laid back vibe and, compared to most places in the US and Canada, the plethora of local produce.  More on that in another post.

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

We were staying in an Airbnb, which was really more of a B&B, in a lovely large old house in Rockland, overlooking Craigdarroch Castle. The castle was built between 1887 and 1890 for the wealthy Scottish 'Coal King' industrialist, Robert Dunsmuir.

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Having made his fortune in coal and then railroads, in the Nanaimo area, Dunsmuir became a Legislative Assembly Member, and moved to Victoria  to take up the post, and building himself  a castle to underscore  his status.

Unfortunately he never saw the castle completed, as he died in 1889, with his will triggering years of family feuding, as he left everything to his wife Joan.

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

The sons, James and Alex had to wait ten years before their mother signed over the businesses to them, at which time Alex finally married his partner of twenty years, only to die from conditions related to his alcoholism on his honeymoon six weeks later.

This sparked more rows over his will, with the mother eventually suing son James, who was by then Premier of British Columbia, and creating a huge family division.

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

The daughters had their share of issues too, including one, Kathleen being killed in the London Blitz, and another, Dola, who was rumoured, scandalously at the time, to have been in a lesbian relationship with actress Tallulah Bankhead.

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

But the family aside, the castle is quite impressive. It was built in the Richardson Romanesque style, complete with turrets, and had many excellent stained-glass windows, including one that is finished with gemstones incorporated into it.

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

There are also some great bits of furniture and artefacts on show, including a fascinating but somewhat macabre, floral display made from human hair, presumably from a deceased relative as a mourning piece.

Hair, Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Governor's House, Victoria

The other main building in the area, was the Governor's House. We couldn't go inside there, except to peek in the door, but the gardens are worth a walk around.

Governor's House, Victoria

We do try to keep up with at least the main UK news during our travels, but our visit here did cause us to wonder if we had missed the death of The Queen, as the flag was flying at half mast. Of course it wasn't her, but instead some past Governor.

Governor's House, Victoria

The gardens and parklands are also home to a number of deer. We didn't see any during our visit, but did spot a couple in some streets a little way off a few days later.

Governor's House, Victoria

Governor's House, Victoria

Governor's House, Victoria

Deer, Rockland, Victoria