Comedian Alan Carr has purchased the 17-bedroom Ayton Castle in Berwickshire for £3.3 million. He recently confirmed the historic estate will be his permanent residence, dismissing rumors that he intended to open a hotel.
The £3.3 million acquisition of Ayton Castle
The 19th-century Ayton Castle is recognized as one of Scotland's premier baronial-style stately homes, sprawling across more than 160 acres of land. Alan Carr, the Celebrity Traitors winner, acquired the massive property earlier this year, marking a significant shift in his living arrangements . According to the report, the entire process of transforming the estate is currently being documented by the streaming channel Disney.
The scale of the property is immense, featuring 17 bedrooms and a layout that Carr describes as exciting, though daunting in its size. By securing such a substantial piece of Scottish heritage, Alan Carr has moved beyond simple luxury into the realm of estate management, where the sheer volume of space requires a complete rethink of interior design.
Why lifeguards sent CVs to a private home
Following the purchase, a wave of speculation suggested that Alan Carr planned to convert the Berwickshire estate into a commercial venture. As reported by The Mirror, rumors circulated that the property would become a hotel complete with a leisure center and a spa. This misinformation led to a surreal situation where Alan Carr began receiving job applications from professional lifeguards seeking employment at his home.
The reality of owning a Grade A listed building also brought unexpected challenges. Alan Carr revealed that someone even gifted him a hot tub for the property, but because of the strict preservation rules governing Grade A listed structures, he was forced to return the gift. He has since clarified that the castle is his permanent home and not a business gimmick.
Trading Ikea futons for period antiques
While the castle came with a vast array of furnishings, Alan Carr found the existing decor did not suit his taste. He recently auctioned off hundreds of items, including wardrobes and side tables, to clear the space.. However, he is not looking to modernize the aesthetic with contemporary furniture; instead, he intends to source authentic antiques to match the 19th-century architecture.
During a discussion on his Life's a Beach podcast with comedian Sally Phillips, Alan Carr joked about the absurdity of placing modern, budget furniture in a stately home. He noted that it would look "weird having a futon in one of the turrets," admitting that his current inventory consists largely of pieces from Ikea. He also touched upon the financial burden of such a home, noting that the public has little sympathy for the massive gas and electricity bills associated with heating a Scottish castle.
The lure of Berwickshire's dog-friendly beaches
The move to the Scottish Borders represents a broader trend of high-profile figures seeking sanctuary in the UK's rural north. For Alan Carr, the appeal of Berwickshire lies in the local community and the natural landscape, specifically the dog-friendly beaches and the welcoming nature of the residnts. This transition from the high-energy environment of London to a 160-acre estate suggests a desire for a slower, more secluded pace of life.
This pattern of "trophy home" acquisition often serves as a hedge against the volatility of celebrity life, providing a private fortress that doubles as a legacy asset. By choosing a baronial-style home, Alan Carr is stepping into a tradition of eccentric ownership that has long defined the Scottish Highlands and Borders.
The missing details on the Disney makeover series
While it is confirmed that Disney is documenting the makeover of Ayton Castle, several key details remain unknown. There is currently no public release date for the series, nor is it clear whether the production is a structured renovation show or a more candid documentary of Alan Carr's domestic transition. Furthermore, the source does not specify the budget allocated for the antique shopping and restoration efforts required to maintain a Grade A listed building.
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