Comedian and TV presenter Alan Carr is set to become a Scottish baron after purchasing Ayton Castle, a 19th-century mansion near the Scottish border, for £3 million. The 49-year-old entertainer, originally from Dorset, confirmed the acquisition on the Staying Relevant podcast, stating he is 'waiting for the keys to come.' The purchase includes an option to buy the Barony of Ayton, a feudal barony dating back to 1324, which is separate from the peerage system of viscounts and earls.
Ayton Castle, described on its website as 'an important Scottish baronial mansion,' boasts 17 bedrooms, a turret, 160 acres of land, and a private railway. Carr plans to create a matching tartan to accompany his new title. He joked about his 'turret era' on the podcast, saying, 'I could get myself a Lamborghini but I want a castle.' He added that he is not planning to turn the property into a luxury hotel or spa, but instead intends a community-based project involving rewilding and animal care.
Reports suggest Carr has signed a deal with Disney Plus for a new television series tentatively titled Castle Man, documenting his journey of renovating the estate. However, there has been local opposition, with hundreds of community members reportedly planning to attend a meeting to discuss the development plans. Carr pushed back against rumours that he had lost the property, insisting, 'I have bought it. Someone said someone else has bought it but, no, I have.'
