Alan Carr reveals plans to move into Scottish castle and open it to locals

Alan Carr has said he is ready to “sell up” and move into his castle in the Scottish Borders.

The Traitors star officially entered his “turret era” after buying a £3.25 million castle earlier this year and is now set to become a Scottish baron.

The comedian who managed to lie his way to the final of the Celebrity Traitors splashed out on the A-listed Ayton Castle, described as one of Scotland’s finest baronial mansions.

The 49-year-old’s search for a property and life after purchasing a historic castle will be documented through a series on Disney+.

Ayton Castle dates back to the 19th century Knight Frank

Speaking on the Staying Relevant podcast with Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks, Alan said he had bought the castle with the intention of living in it and opening it to the community – and rubbished reports that he will turn it into a luxury hotel and spa.

“I fell in love with this castle. I’ve always wanted a castle. I want it filled with animals; it’s not a spa, and it’s not a hotel. When you see what I want to do with it, you’ll love it – community-based, I’ve got all this land, a bit of rewilding, looking after animals.

“It is my home, I have bought it, and I’m selling up and moving up there. I’m 50, I want a change.”

Alan added that he wants to make the castle and grounds a “magical” place for locals.

“I’ve got the survey now, and I’m waiting for the keys to come. It’s a lovely community, really small, and I want it to be magical”, he said.

“I’ll be a baron, and I get my own tartan.

“I haven’t been this excited about a project in ages. It’s about me opening it up to the community. It’s giving back.”

Ayton Castle dates back to the 19th century and was designed by James Gillespie Graham, Scotland’s leading Gothic revival architect of the time.

The castle boasts 17 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a five-storey Great Tower, turrets, a private chapel and 106-acre listed gardens.

The previous owners, who bought the property in 2014, carried out substantial refurbishment.

This included building a 600m narrow‑gauge railway that runs through part of the grounds, which visitors to the castle can pay to ride.

Norman settlers were the first recorded owners of Ayton when the De Vesci family are understood to have built a small castle. Thereafter, little is known until the 18th century.