Peterhead Prison Museum: An Insight into Scotland's Only Convict Prison History

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: 24 hours
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…
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…

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
(509 Ratings)
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1 star
Ellray
Oct 2, 2024
Great place to visit very interesting - What a very interesting time we had in the prison well worth a visit we were given headphones which was great that told you all about prison and prisoners
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gaynorc984
Sep 30, 2024
Fascinating tour - A fascinating tour. The headset commentary was very informative and sometimes entertaining. However a very very hot chocolate at the end was definitely needed as the prison was extremely cold. Wear plenty clothes when visiting 🥶
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pentlandpirate
Sep 27, 2024
Way beyond expectations - This was quite a surprise. A dour grey prison. Grey walls, razor wire, peeling paint, a damp chill in the air, a haunting silence, dim lighting. But it was brought alive with the really excellent audio guide headset allowing you to stop, look and listen to the description, stories and background noise of each part and individual cells in the prison, at your own pace. It's graphic and reaches the parts of your body you forget you had. It hits hard. This is a terrible place, one you are grateful you never were sent to. How the crime rate would fall if everyone had a taste of this before they did something bad! Yes, the prison tour left me with something more impressionable than cheap thrills or fancy food. This was very real. It left a really meaningful memory that I shall never forget!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brrtn68
Sep 15, 2024
Austerity at it's best - The staff were welcoming and enthusiastic wanting the best for us to enjoy the experience. The headphone guided tour is well put together and along with the atmosphere of the prison portrays something of the origins, workings and major events which took place. It is interesting because the prison was still in use in to the 21st century. Overall well worth a visit especially if you want to keep your kids on the 'straight and narrow'. A great deterrent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
507alastairr
Sep 12, 2024
Enlightening - Interesting, enlightening and very well put together. It was atmospheric in many areas and the staff were helpful and friendly. Cafe was very good and the lifeboat exhibition is really excellent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deefan54
Sep 12, 2024
Fantastic experience - What an amazing experience, so much information to take in , the headsets were a fantastic addition, you can walk around at your own pace & take each & every stage at your leisure. The staff at reception were great & the staff at your starting point were also great. The cafe was an added bonus the toasties were excellent (black pudding & cheese) followed by apple & cinnamon scone, such friendly people all round. Definitely a not to miss experience 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stewartb664
Sep 10, 2024
A great day out - Heard it was good, it was excellent.. great tour, friendly informative staff, needs a good 2 hours minimum to do it justice. To top it off the tea room was 10/10.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris
Sep 5, 2024
5 star tour of Peterhead Prison Museum. - Excellent audio tour of the old prison. Very informative insight into the lives of prisoners and officers over two centuries. A fascinating piece of history. RNLB Juia Park-Barry has been beautifully restored and housed in a dedicated building. I highly recommend the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tomrx7745ez
Sep 3, 2024
Fabulous Tour - Really great tour. Hard to imagine it was only closed 11 years ago. Thoroughly recommend. Audio headset was brilliant and you feel immersed in the eerie atmosphere that is created. Nice cup of tea and a scone in the cafe served by really friendly staff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colskie78
Aug 25, 2024
Excellent tour - Visited the prison when on a break in the local area and so glad we did. Loved the fact it was an audio tour and could take this at your own pace and throughly engross yourself on the full experience. The audio was very informative as was some of the exhibits dotted along the tour route. It was great to see how things changed over time within the prison walls. If visiting the area then this is a must on the todo list
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
November 2024
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