Alan Carr bought a Scottish castle. Could you?

Comedian Alan Carr has almost achieved national treasure status since winning Celebrity Traitors last year - but it's his recent purchase of a Scottish castle that he has described as his most exciting project "for ages".

It was announced earlier this year that the Chatty Man star had bought Ayton Castle in the Scottish Borders, which was on the market for offers over £3.25m, and it was rumoured he was planning to turn it into a spa and a hotel.

However in a recent podcast he rubbished the suggestion and insisted: "It is my home and I'm selling up and moving up there. It is a lovely community, really small and I want it to be magical up there."

But just how easy is it to buy your own castle north of the border? Are there many of them on the market, and do you need the bank balance of a celebrity millionaire?

Dorothy Newlands of Lauriston chairs the Scottish Castles Association which was set up to promote their conservation and restoration.

She said there were some "fascinating castles" on the market right now.

Among them is Law Castle in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, a restored medieval tower house built as a wedding gift for the daughter of King James II of Scotland available for offers over £1m.

At the more expensive end of the market - £9.5m - is Castle Cary, a holiday park near Creetown in Dumfries and Galloay with a "ruined castle at its heart".

Meanwhile for those in search of a real doer-upper there is the £750,000 Kinloch Castle on the Isle of Rum which it has been estimated could cost millions to restore.

"If you are not in a hurry to move in, you might consider restoring a ruined castle - not for the faint hearted, but achievable," said Newlands, whose own castle is in Aberdeenshire.

"There have been some wonderful restoration projects in recent years.

"There are some basics you need to get right – practicalities such as making sure you have an access road - not everyone thinks of that."

She also advises seeking an architect with experience in conservation and - more generally - asking others who have gone through the process.

"Castle restorers are a friendly bunch, very willing to help with advice," she said.

"As part of our campaign, Scotland's Castles: Use Them or Lose Them, we are producing a getting-started guide for those who want to take on a castle."

For those with an eye on a "renovated gem" she said there were a number within commuting distance of Edinburgh.

Ormiston Castle at Kirknewton (for offers over £3.8 m), Cakemuir Castle at Pathhead (£2.9m) and Brankstone Grange Castle near Clackmannan (£3m) all fit that bill.

Biggar boasts Shieldhill Castle, a 30-bedroom country house hotel, parts of which date back to 1199 (£1.5m).

Other sites with particulars available online at present include Fa'side Castle in Tranent (£1.3m), Braco's Orchil Castle (£2.1m) and Shuna island (£5.5m) with its ruined castle off the west coast north of Oban.

Newlands said people bought castles because "they love the history and they want to play their part in bringing some of our built heritage back to life".

That could range from someone "working single-handedly for years on a rebuilding project or spending millions to make a dream come true".

There has also been a trend for groups rather than individuals snapping up such properties.

"Several castles have been saved by clan associations, and we are also seeing communities buying their local castle and running projects to save them as focal points for community life," she said.

Cameron Ewer, head of residential in Scotland for Savills estate agents, said buying such a property might not be as costly as you might think.

"In Scotland, the dream of owning a castle is far more attainable than many imagine," he said.

"What makes buying a castle here in Scotland so compelling is not only the grandeur of these buildings, but the clarity of the Scottish buying process itself.

"Properties are usually offered on an 'offers over' basis, and once a buyer is captivated by a particular castle, their solicitor will note their interest so they are kept informed of any developments, including the setting of a closing date.

"It is a system designed to be transparent and respectful, ensuring that every serious buyer has a fair opportunity to put forward a considered offer."

He said every castle carried "the weight and wonder of history" but many buyers would commission additional specialist surveys to "fully appreciate the fabric of the building".

"What I always say to clients is that buying a castle is not merely a transaction - it is an act of stewardship," he said.

"These buildings hold centuries of stories, and those who take them on become part of that enduring narrative.

"Whether someone is seeking a private sanctuary, a family seat, or a heritage project to restore and cherish, Scotland's castles continue to offer an extraordinary opportunity to live within history while shaping its next chapter."

Carr, who grew up in Northampton, told the Staying Relevant podcast that he had always wanted to own a castle and taking part in Celebrity Traitors - which was filmed at Ardross Castle in the Highlands - only confirmed his view.

His property search was filmed for a brand new show for Disney+ provisionally titled Castle Man, and produced by the company behind Clarkson's Farm.

But for now Carr is looking forward to settling in to his palatial new home, which has 17 bedrooms, 160 acres of land - and one other unique feature.

"It's got no moat but it has got a little railway I can drive around," he said.