Just months after being crowned king of The Celebrity Traitors castle in Scotland, Alan Carr has set his sights on one of his very own.
The comedian and presenter has purchased Ayton Castle, a 19th-century baronial estate complete with 17 bedrooms, 160 acres of land and even its own working railway.
The historic property, located in Berwickshire, was brought to market by Knight Frank last summer with an asking price of more than £3.25 million.
Carr’s latest Caledonian venture will form the basis of a brand new Disney+ series, following along as he attempts to transform the grand but ageing estate into a workable home.
The programme’s working title, Castle Man, is a playful nod to his former Channel 4 chat show, Chatty Man.
Why did Alan Carr buy a Scottish castle?
The move comes after Carr spent last summer filming (and winning) Celebrity Traitors at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands – an experience he says sparked his newfound passion for battlements and drawbridges.
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Describing himself as being in his "turret era", Carr joked: "Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me – I want my very own castle.
"Since I was a boy in Northampton, I've always dreamt big, and have always been enchanted with the history and romance of a stately home and as I turn 50, I feel it's my time. All I want is a turret to call my own – get me over that drawbridge."
Where in Scotland is Ayton Castle?
Set within rolling Borders countryside near Eyemouth, Ayton Castle is one of only two baronial buildings designed by celebrated Scottish architect James Gillespie Graham.
Built in striking red sandstone in the 19th century, the castle’s history stretches back even further to a medieval tower house that once stood on the site.
Inside, the interiors were decorated by the illustrious Edinburgh firm Bonnar and Carfrae — and even have an unexpected literary connection. During a visit in 1873, Mark Twain was so taken with the dining room's mantelpiece that he purchased it – it now resides in the Mark Twain House and Museum in Connecticut.
While restoring a 17-bedroom castle is no small undertaking, it appears Alan Carr is fully embracing life as laird. And if his time in The Traitors turret proved anything, it’s that he already appears quite at home.
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Maddy is the Homes Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she can be found writing about the latest interiors news and collating inspiring trend edits. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Classics and Ancient History from the University of Manchester and a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, where she was the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper.
