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
(519 Ratings)
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F1184ljjenniferm
Feb 16, 2025
An informative day out, appeals to all generations - I took my son to the prison during the February school break and we had a very good visit. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the audio tour was the perfect way to learn about the history of the prison because and we could go at our own pace. We were the first visitors there that day and it was quite chilling walking through the museum on our own. Beware of the menacing mannequin at the cell window! Like previous posters advise, dress warmly - it was colder inside than it was outside. We ended our visit with lunch at the Refuge Cafe. Again, staff were very friendly and we had a lovely reasonably priced lunch in the warmth. We'd thoroughly recommend a visit.
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Julieth877
Feb 13, 2025
Great tour!!! - This is our second time visiting the prison, first time taking the kids. The quiz going round was great and kids loved it.....went in February so it was freezing, dress warm!!! New parts opened which weren't there previously which was great to see!! Only negative was another family who were there had gotten an offer of £15 family ticket....we paid £55 😥 still worth it. Staff very friendly and helpful!! We will be back 😀
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Anniee04
Jan 14, 2025
Brilliant, albeit quite spooky! - Brilliant museum.. but if you were skeptical of paranormal encounters before, you might have changed your mind by the end of the visit! My wife and I went on a complete whim while I was getting my car serviced in Peterhead and had time to kill - the staff were friendly and super accommodating - I’m a wheelchair user and they were helpful at explaining the accessible route around the building, and making sure I was ok. The buildings are incredibly eerie, you really can feel a sense of the crushing desperation and sadness that went on within those walls, I can only imagine what the prisoners must have endured. Nothing has really been changed since the prison was closed, the heavy 1800s prison doors are still all there. It’s absolutely freezing inside as there is no heating - granted it’s January so it was always going to be cold but it was much warmer outside than in the cell block, we could see our breath! So if you’re going in winter I would strongly recommend lots of layers and a woolly hat, gloves and scarf. Whilst we were in the main cell block we both had a very strange feeling that we weren’t alone, we started hearing heavy footsteps coming from upstairs in the upper level of the cell block (which is closed to visitors), the sound was unmistakable, the sound of heavy boots. Then out of nowhere a door slammed shut. We figured it was one of the staff upstairs but when we left I asked the staff if anybody had been upstairs while we were there as we heard footsteps. The reception staff member said ‘nobody else was there, it must have been the ghost, we get a lot of encounters - usually people hear him slamming doors too!’ (This was before we had mentioned the slamming door!!). Overall I’d absolutely recommend it, just be aware you may not be alone there!
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Erirm1
Dec 16, 2024
Great! - Time well spent!! An informative and well-constructed audio tour. Lovely staff who were willing to give more information on the tour's contents. I highly recommend anyone to go.
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Hydrocarbon2010
Dec 9, 2024
Great place to visit - A really good tour of the museum. Had the Granddaughter and the three great grandchildren with us, such an interesting venue to visit, well worth the money.
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Megandk1215aj
Dec 9, 2024
Amazing - It was amazing so interesting and things you would never have thought it was just so so good would highly recommend it to anyone
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422jacquin
Nov 4, 2024
Absolutely fascinating. So interesting. - Absolutely fascinating. Gives a real insight into what prison life was like. The audio guide is brilliant. Staff are lovely and friendly. Well worth a visit and well worth the ticket price. Would highly recommend.
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P3019pomargaretr
Oct 31, 2024
Excellent visit - An excellent visit. The headphone commentary was well done - quite short for each position but with really interesting facts and stories.There wa much more to see than we expected.
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Donnabw681fi
Dec 28, 2024
Peterhead prison museum - Really good! Loved being inside the prison and hearing the audio as you go round. I was disappointed that you don’t get full access around the whole prison. And also didn’t like the modern touches added, should have just been exactly how it was left.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z157hvsophiep
Jan 11, 2025
Poor Communication - Was due to visit today after booking tickets last night. Turned up today to find out it was closed due to the ice. Nothing stated on the website that it was closed. Apparently couldn't find my booking even though I have confirmation and money taken from my bank. Now need to wait till Tuesday for them to look into it.
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
March 2025
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