Magazine boss swaps Manhattan for cottage in Scotland

The editor of America's best-selling celebrity magazine is to give up the hectic high life of Manhattan for the seclusion of a Perthshire cottage, after falling in love with Scotland on a working visit.

Carol Wallace is stepping down as editor of People, reputed to be the world's most profitable magazine, to spend half her year in rural bliss.

The 52-year-old editor will leave the Upper East Side, home to Hollywood stars such as Woody Allen and Liza Minnelli, for a new life on the banks of the river Lyon, where her only neighbours will be a handful of farmers and their livestock. "It is a small place ­ it is probably smaller than my office here," she said, speaking from the magazine's headquarters on Sixth Avenue.

Ms Wallace's love of Scotland began when she went to interview the film director Bill Forsyth at his home there. She returned every year on holiday before deciding to resign after five years as editor. Her cottage, five miles from Aberfeldy, could hardly be more different from her home in New York. She admitted there were some disadvantages. "You cannot get delivery food," she said.

There is already one celebrity nearby ­ J K Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, bought Killiechassie House on the banks of the river Tay last year. "I think the last person she would want to socialise with is the editor of People magazine," said Ms Wallace. "I may meet her at the butcher's."

Scotland's charms have already attracted Madonna and the Hollywood actress Ashley Judd, both of whom got married at Skibo Castle in Sutherland.