Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria

Craigdarroch Castle is where Scotland meets Canada, stately home meets scandal, Victorian architecture meets fairytale feels, and where you’ll get a grasp on Victoria’s mega-rich past. As one of the city’s most famed landmarks, a quick wander round it is a must – but be warned, ‘quick’ may not be the most fitting word when it comes to admiring the opulent beauty of this castle’s 39 rooms.

Oozing elegance since its conception in 1887, this turreted mansion is guaranteed to take you on a very privileged walk back in time. When there, you’ll uncover the history of Robert Dunsmuir and the tumultuous history of his family. An influential Scottish immigrant, Dunsmuir was an industrialist who made his money from Vancouver Island’s coal. Craigdarroch Castle was his vision, the perfect place from which to marry off his remaining daughters and the ultimate way to signal his success. But, things were not meant to be and sadly Robert died in 1889, a year before his dream home was even completed. From there ensued years of family drama, namely revolving around inheritance indiscretions and general household politics, until Craigdarroch Castle was finally lost by the Dunsmuirs in the early part of the 20th century when Joan, Robert’s wife, died herself.

Since then the castle has filled a whole host of roles from a military hospital to a music academy, until finally being turned into the museum that it is today. Here, you’ll find all the restored refinement of a bygone era encased in one of Canada’s finest examples of a public stately home. And when it comes to decor, gold embellishments are the done thing as far as this castle is concerned, so expect things to get lavish.