Comedian Alan Carr is planning an antique shopping trip to furnish his recently purchased 17-bedroom castle in Scotland. The purchase of Ayton Castle in Berwickshire for £3.3 million was made earlier this year.
Weeks after acquiring the property, Carr auctioned off a significant number of furniture items that came with the castle. Despite this, he intends to fill the 19th-century estate with similarly aged pieces, joking that he cannot place a modern futon in the castle's turrets.
Carr shared his plans on his podcast, "Life’s a Beach," with fellow comedian Sally Phillips. He acknowledged the castle's substantial upkeep costs, including electricity and gas bills, humorously noting that no one sympathizes with castle owners. He also confirmed the castle will serve as his permanent residence, refuting earlier reports that suggested he intended to convert it into a hotel.
"They said it would become a hotel with a leisure centre and spa when it’s actually my permanent home," Carr stated, adding that he has received numerous job applications for roles like lifeguards and has even been gifted a hot tub. However, due to the castle's Grade A listed status, such additions are not permissible.
Carr expressed his enjoyment of living in Scotland, highlighting the dog-friendly beaches and the local community. His experience renovating and living in the castle is being documented for the streaming channel Disney+.
Ayton Castle, set on over 160 acres, is described as one of the country's finest baronial-style stately homes.