Peterhead Prison Museum: An Insight into Scotland's Only Convict Prison History
4.9
464 Ratings
Peterhead
Discover the captivating history of Peterhead Prison Museum, Scotland's only convict prison. Explore its role in the railway industry, the dramatic SAS siege, and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this award-winning attraction.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Peterhead Prison Museum - Our 5* Multi-Award winning visitor attraction is set within the former HM Convict Prison, Peterhead.
    Unique in many ways including being the only “Convict” prison in Scotland [to come here meant you were sentenced to “penal servitude”]; It had the first “state owned” railway in Britain; and it was the only time the Special Air Service were used to end a domestic siege on mainland UK when an officer was held hostage for 4 day’s in 1987.
    All your senses will be teased as you walk the galleries and halls where you are surrounded by the visual, our award winning audio tour will bring you into moments in time as you listen to former officers tell their stories and your olfactory senses will be in overdrive at key locations on the route.
    Walk in the footsteps of former officers and inmates of “Scotland’s Toughest Jail” often referred to as “Scotland’s Alcatraz”.
    This is a once in a life time experience and one that will live with you for many year’s to come
What's Included
  • Includes an audio set for guided tour
Additional Information

The tour covers the scenario within the one and only ‘Convict’ prison in Scotland.

The tour explains that it accommodated the first ‘state-owned’ railway in Britain, and you’ll have the opportunity to view the previous wagons and equipment utilized in the railway.

The tour expounds and displays to visitors the famous usage of the SAS to terminate a dramatic standoff that lasted four days in 1987.

The tour guides you through a 125 year chaotic history of Scotland’s solitary high-security penitentiary.

The tour will stimulate each of your senses - visual, auditory, and olfactory - leaving you with a sense of anticipation that an inmate might just emerge around the next corner.

The tour is currently a multi-award winning tourist site, rated as a 5* attraction by Visit Scotland.

Location
Peterhead Prison Museum
South Road, Admiralty Gateway
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(464 Ratings)
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Andyp2844
May 27, 2024
Peterhead Prison - Life Behind Bars - This experience was brilliant, so informative thanks to the Audio set with Headphones. Then to complete the tour time to relax with a drink and a bite to eat in the excellent cafe, before heading to the exit where a well stocked gift shop awaits. All this helped along by most friendly and helpful staff. All in all a fantastic day out and well worth a visit, plus at a very reasonably price.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O8985qxmichelleg
May 26, 2024
Really interesting 👌 - Fantastic tour, audio guide excellent, we stayed for 3 hours, really interesting. Great insight to how difficult prison officers' jobs were
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbarapf3088ye
May 25, 2024
Enlightening - Interesting insight into prison life as it was Staff very friendly and helpful Lovely bowl of soup at end of tour which was appreciated
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tigger103
May 21, 2024
A Scottish Alcatraz - We spent 2 hours here, excluding the cafe which was closed by the time we reached it. The self guided audio tour was captivating and brought to life all areas of the prison. Each segment was just the right length to hold your attention and also allow you to look around freely. Hearing about the life within the prison walls was grim at times but so interesting and well worth the admission fee. It was very quiet when we visited - mid week in May, which actually added to the atmosphere. Parking is easy and free in the adjacent car park. A lifeboat exhibition hall is also included at the end of the tour, but this felt a bit out of context to the prison itself. Our top tip is to dress warmly, the prison interior is a bit chilly. But don’t let that put you off coming - this is a must see attraction.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Missstacey101
May 16, 2024
Great day out - Brilliant experience, with realistic visions of what life would of been like inside the prison with smells and the stories and seeing the kitchens and laundry rooms as they would have been , lovely cafe that’s reasonably priced , a real bargain paid for ticket prices , even had the experience of meeting Jackie Stewart himself there at his book signing
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cleorocas
May 14, 2024
When prison meant no luxuries - Had a couple of hours before we could check into Hotel. Suggested a tour of the Prison Museum to my friend. Okay she say..... well she has done nothing but tell people how good it was, from the lovely ladies who welcomed us into the reception with guards attire on the couple of scares we got on the way around. The headphones relaying information as we went along is excellent, and very informative. Different smells along the way..the clove smell at the Dentist made it even more so realistic. Our age group meant we could remember some of the inmate which knowing they had been there makes you shiver. Yes and it is rather cool even on a sunny day. This has made me look up more of its history, but I do reckon someone could make a great movie on Johnny Ramensky life story... he deserves it. Finished off with coffee and a shared scone, and a blether with the cheery lady in the cafe. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nasus300
May 13, 2024
Great audio tour ! - Brilliant audio tour informative and can go round at your own pace. Staff at reception were so friendly and welcoming. They took the time to chat and provide information about the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Waynebp1389xl
May 9, 2024
A Day in Prison, awesome experience - A absolutely brilliant and informative tour, headsets were great and clear, signs for each audio clearly marked. Information on all walls and the set felt like real life. Would encourage people to go very much. Staff were well informed, polite and welcoming.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Womanvsnosh
May 7, 2024
Fantastic visit - Wonderful staff, very helpful and cheery. The prison guide was really well narrated and gave a great insight into the history of the prison, prison staff and inmates, We had as lovely coffee and some lunch at the end of the tour and then visited the lifeboat museum ( all part of the entry fee) Great way to spend a day
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pamela_r
Apr 28, 2024
Fantastic day trip to Peterhead Prison - Museum was absolutely amazing more than I expected. Well worth the trip from Dundee. Only thing I would say is wear a cosy coat and gloves as it’s freezing.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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