Why has Alan Carr bought a castle and where is it?
BBC World
February 23, 2026
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Alan Carr, the renowned comedian, has made a whimsical midlife purchase: a 19th-century castle in the Scottish Borders. The castle, known as Ayton Castle, boasts 17 bedrooms, 160 acres of land, and even its own working narrow-gauge railway. Carr’s acquisition is set to be the focus of a new Disney+ series, tentatively titled *Castle Man*, which will document his journey to transform this historic estate into a functional home. Speaking about his purchase, Carr humorously remarked that while others might buy luxury cars or grow their hair long during midlife crises, he chose a castle—a childhood dream come true.
The castle, located near Eyemouth, is one of only two baronial buildings designed by architect James Gillespie Graham. Its history dates back to a medieval tower house, and its interiors were once decorated by the renowned Edinburgh firm Bonnar and Carfrae. Interestingly, Mark Twain was so impressed with the dining room mantelpiece during a visit in 1873 that he purchased it, now housed in the Mark Twain House and Museum in Connecticut. The castle also features a rare 16th-century beehive-shaped dovecot and a private chapel.
Carr’s decision to buy Ayton Castle was partly inspired by his experience filming * Celebrity Traitors* at Ardross Castle in the Highlands. The purchase
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/23/2026