Controversial comic Russell Brand spotted in Stirling as he eyes rural Kippen holiday home

The comedian has been seen around the area as he stays in an exclusive pad near the village.

Russell Brand told locals in Kippen where he spent New Year that he wants to buy a holiday home next to them.

The comedian, who has been questioned by police over sexual abuse allegations, stayed at seven-bedroom Brioch House in the village.

The 48-year-old, who lives in Oxfordshire, was on holiday at the £20,000-a-week gated mansion until last week with his Scots wife Laura Gallacher and their children.

Author Laura, 36, who is originally from Edinburgh, is the sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, 37, and daughter of 87-year-old golf legend Bernard Gallacher.

Brand, an actor turned Youtuber, who was previously married to pop-star Katy Perry, spent more than £140 on gifts at Conic Crafts in the nearby village of Drymen.

Morna Tinto, who works at the store, said: “Russell Brand was in the other day and loved the shop.It was my colleague who served him when he came in with his two kids. His wife sat outside in the car.

“He spent quite a bit of money, around £140 on little gifts and cards by local artist Athena McLellan.

“ He’s been staying locally in Kippen and people locally have been saying he’s been saying he’s thinking about buying a place here.”

Another local resident added: “Russell has loved the area so much he has been telling people he is interested in buying a holiday home here because it’s so quiet.”

Brand welcomed in 2024 alongside punters in the beer garden of The Inn at Kippen.

A barmaid there told the Sunday Mail: “He was in here for Hogmanay. It was just all the locals, there wasn’t a private party or anything. Everyone had a lovely time.”

Edward Boyd, who works in Kippen’s Mace store said: “Russell has been in a few times. I served him on Hogmanay.

“I recognised him straight away. He was very friendly and then someone in the shop asked him for a quick picture which he posed for.”

The comedian also appeared on the TikTok of the Superdrug at the Thistles Shopping Centre nine miles away in Stirling last Thursday and posed for a photograph with staff.

In September, Brand was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

In December, he was questioned by Metropolitan Police detectives for a second time regarding allegations of sexual offences. Brand has strongly denied the claims.

Russell and Laura first met when she was an art student, when he was 30 and she was 19. The pair wed in 2017 and welcomed daughters in 2016 and 2018.

In June, it was revealed that the couple were expecting their third together.

Broich House, is owned by Sir James Hutchison III, and sits on a private 450-acre country estate.

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