Alan Carr Acquires Ayton Castle
An asking price exceeding £3.25 million places a property beyond the financial reach of most individuals.
However, this was not a barrier for Alan Carr, the winner of The Celebrity Traitors, who has recently acquired Ayton Castle located in the Scottish Borders.
For a comparable amount, the highly successful comedian could have opted for a more conventional family residence in London's Belsize Park or a two-bedroom house in Chelsea.
Nevertheless, plans are underway for a new television series that will document his efforts to transform the estate into a functional home.
"Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me - I want my very own castle,"
said Carr, who is approaching 50 years of age.
Details of the Property
Below is an overview of what the property offers in the south-east corner of Scotland.
Estate agents Knight Frank, who handled the marketing of the property, stated that as a matter of policy, they do not disclose the identity of purchasers.
However, Edward Douglas-Home, director and head of residential sales, confirmed that the castle was under offer following a successful closing date.
He remarked that any new owner would have acquired a remarkable building and estate.
"Ayton Castle is a truly extraordinary property, widely regarded as Scotland's finest example of Gothic Revival architecture,"
he said.
"Its dramatic five-storey Great Tower, remarkable stonework and exceptional period detailing place it among the country's most important historic houses."
The property includes more than just the castle itself, featuring its own narrow-gauge railway within the grounds.
Douglas-Home noted that the estate is set within 160 acres of listed gardens and parkland, offering a rare combination of architectural significance, privacy, and scale.
"Having been involved in the previous sale of the castle, we very much look forward to seeing the next chapter in Ayton's history unfold,"
he added.
In addition to the castle, the estate includes several cottages and lodges that could potentially be leased to generate income.
Television Series and Future Plans
Alan Carr's search for a property has been filmed for a new television series produced by the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal.
The working title of the programme is "Castle Man," a reference to Carr's former chat show, Chatty Man.
The series is currently in production, although the broadcast date has not yet been announced.
