George Seaton's Hunting Castle

Wealthy Gothenburg merchant George Seaton built his dream hunting estate on Hyltenäs Kulle in Marks kommun between 1915 and 1917. The castle featured private electricity, central heating, running water, exotic gardens, hunting grounds with imported game, and roughly 35 rooms with grand stone terraces. At its peak it hosted lavish parties for hunters and wealthy guests — until 17 December 1923, when a catastrophic dawn fire spread rapidly and destroyed the entire structure within hours. Only stone foundations and ruins remain; the castle was never rebuilt.

Stories tell of feeling watched inside the ruins, sudden cold spots, footsteps among the stones, shadow figures near terrace walls, whispers on evening visits and a heavy emotional atmosphere at the foundations — especially when alone. Local theories suggest Seaton's attachment to the estate left an imprint after the fire. The hilltop site combines dense forest, twin lakes, a long winding approach, exposed stonework, wind and fog for a powerfully isolated atmosphere after sunset.