Scots millionaire Duncan Bannatyne and his wife enjoy life aboard superyacht named after her

Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 11:46 EDT, 19 September 2026 | Updated: 11:52 EDT, 19 September 2026 He has previously revealed that when he met Nigora Whitehorn - in the dental surgery where she worked - he fell ‘madly in love’.And now, in a touching demonstration of his feelings for her, Scots tycoon Duncan Bannatyne, 77, has bought a luxury yacht - named after his beloved wife.The couple spent last week cruising off the Italian coast aboard the Nigora - sun-bathing and enjoying sight-seeing trips and leisurely lunches in the Mediterranean sunshine.Photos posted online by Mrs Bannatyne show the couple - along with Nigora’s mother and several of their friends - sailing through the Ligurian Sea and visiting the mediaeval town of Portovenere.The name of the yacht, which was built in 2025, can be clearly seen emblazoned across the stern - and also embroidered on towels and mats on the vessel.Fans who remember Bannatyne as a growling, no-nonsense business guru on the TV show Dragons’ Den may not be surprised to discover the couple also make the luxury vessel available for private hire for up to £89,000 a week.Earlier this year, Mrs Bannatyne promoted the business venture on social media, stating the yacht was ready for charters in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and inviting people to get in touch for details. The couple's new superyacht is named after Duncan Bannatyne's wife Nigora The outdoor dining area on the superyacht boasts a sleek design The superyacht is available for private hire for up to £89,000 a weekBorn in Glasgow and raised in a large family where money was tight, Bannatyne left school without any qualifications.After as stint in the Royal Navy he worked tirelessly to set up a string of businesses including care homes and children’s nurseries before expanding his empire to include a chain of gyms.A decade as an investor and presenter on Dragons’ Den cemented the multi-millionaire’s image as a hard-nosed businessman.In 2014 - during a routine dental appointment - he met his future wife, a native of Uzbekistan, who was working at a clinic on London’s Harley St.Since their marriage, Bannatyne has largely swapped the boardroom in favour of enjoying a more relaxed life jet-setting around the world with his other half.The couple have also worked to raise money for charity Operation Smile, which funds surgery for children with facial deformities.Posting a message online from the yacht that bears her name, Mrs Bannatyne, 46, said last week: ‘Protect your energy, believe in yourself and always expect something beautiful to happen. What you give to the universe always finds its way back to you. Think positive, live with gratitude and let the good find you.’ Mr Bannatyne met his future wife in 2014 - during a routine dental appointmentFor anyone wishing to experience the Bannatynes’ luxurious life on the waves, the Nigora - a 28-metre tri-deck Sunseeker - is available for private hire through a charter company for between £67-74,000 a week in the winter, when it’s berthed in the Bahamas, or between £81-89,000 a week in the summer, when the vessel is based in Monaco.With a master suite and five guest cabins, the vessel is said to be ‘equally at home island-hopping in The Caribbean or cruising between Mediterranean ports’, with ‘outdoor spaces are tailored to warm-weather living across both regions.’The brochure says the interiors are ‘calm and contemporary, with darker tones lending a slightly masculine edge.’It adds: ‘The main salon opens to a fold-down balcony to starboard, a small but memorable detail that quickly becomes a favourite spot for morning coffees and evening aperitifs.’