Comedian Alan Carr has definitively announced that his newly acquired Scottish castle will serve as his permanent home, firmly dismissing any speculation about transforming it into a luxury hotel and spa facility. The celebrity purchased Ayton Castle, located in Berwickshire, earlier this year after the historic property was listed on the market with offers exceeding £3.25 million.
Historic Property and Renovation Plans
The B-listed mansion, which dates back to the 19th century, boasts an impressive seventeen bedrooms, nine bathrooms, eight public rooms, and spans across one hundred and sixty acres of land. A charming miniature railway winds through part of the extensive grounds, adding to the estate's unique character. Carr's relocation to the north and his ambitious renovation efforts will be documented in a forthcoming Disney Plus series, produced by Expectation TV, the same company responsible for the popular Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime.
Community Focus and Animal Sanctuary
The forty-nine-year-old entertainer has expressed his intention to open the castle doors to the local community, emphasizing a desire to give back. He plans to utilize the adjacent land, which comes with the Barony of Ayton title, as a sanctuary for animals and is actively exploring rewilding projects. Carr, who recently won Celebrity Traitors, is selling his current home in southern England to make the permanent move northward.
In his own words, Carr stated: 'I have always wanted a castle and I fell in love with this castle. It's got a little railway I can drive. I'm an animal lover and I want it filled with animals. It's not a spa and it's not a hotel. Why do I want to live in a spa? Can you imagine the smell of chlorine? It is my home and I'm selling up and moving up there.'
Personal Motivations and Future Hopes
Carr, who is approaching his fiftieth birthday, cited a desire for change and a fresh start as key motivations for the move. He also humorously mentioned hoping to find love in the small village of Ayton, which has a modest population of approximately six hundred residents. The comedian added that he plans to create his own tartan as part of his new role as a baron.
'I'm turning 50 and I want a change and a break. When you see what I want to do with it, I think you're going to love it. It's about me opening it up to the community and giving back. I've got all this land, it will be a bit of rewilding, looking after animals,' Carr explained.
Community Interest and Historical Context
Public interest in Carr's plans has been so significant that an initial community meeting scheduled at Ayton Bowling Club had to be postponed due to an unprecedented expected attendance. The production company is now seeking a more suitable venue for the event, although Carr himself will not be present. The Ayton estate was historically the stronghold of the Home clan during the Middle Ages, ancestors of former Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home.
The sandstone castle visible today was constructed in the nineteenth century for William Mitchell, chief cashier at the Royal Bank of Scotland, after the original structure burned down in 1834. Many original interior features remain intact, preserving the property's historical authenticity. Carr was inspired to purchase the castle following his victorious appearance on Celebrity Traitors last year, which was filmed at Ardross Castle in the Highlands.
Carr concluded: 'Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me – I want my very own castle.'
