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
(599 Ratings)
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L2187lgdavidl
Jul 24, 2025
Excellent museum - Very informative and enjoyable morning in the prison museum. The staff were very friendly and the cafe a nice bonus at the end.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megancs2574bb
Jul 22, 2025
Great way to spend the day - Great day out, did the guided tour with David which we all really enjoyed as we were able to ask questions and here about what the prison was like from an ex officer
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Denny64_13
Jul 21, 2025
- First of all when I entered the prison I was greeted by yo lovely ladies at the front desk . They showed us how to use the audio sets and what we had to do . These audio sets were great and full of information . The prison was full of great history . Some many things to see and do most of it kept in great condition. The place was huge and some hidden mannequins here and there some really scary looking ones . Ideal way of looking how a prison was run I understand its not to long closed There was a section of letters to dad's who were in there Paintings done by prisoners and models made by them to . There is a large health care and dentist bit there to .we'll worth a visit and I would certainly go back another time . Unfortunately I didn't get time to visit section 21 as I had to be somewhere else but I hear there's a great cafe up there and a solitary bit if your looking for something different to do this place is ideal you will not be dissapointed .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Petergp7712tn
Jul 20, 2025
- This is my second time visiting, I took my son this time as I thought he would be interested. He thought the experience was awesome. The whole thing is really enjoyable. It really opens your eyes to what life was like. The staff are exceptional, very friendly. Both the guided tour and self - guided tour are good, I would suggest going on the guided tour first with David, there is value in this when you return and go on the self - guided tour. Thanks to all for a great experience. Pete and Ryan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claire_h
Jul 20, 2025
Great day out. - It's very informative and you can walk at your own pace.and can repeat it if you. Want to. A d there's a lovely cafe at the end.
Review provided by Viator
N3417uymatthewb
Jul 18, 2025
Prison tour - What an experience seeing what the old prison used to look like very informative audio tour taken in your own time. A must do for solo travellers and families lots of room to look about and not feel rushed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alexandergordonm
Jul 17, 2025
An excellent educative but practical (and thought-provoking) experience - Had purchased a tour for 9 persons at a Charity Auction so didn't know what to expect but it was excellent, though very much because our Tour Guide David was really, really good - very knowledgeable but with quite a lot of quirky humour! My only negative comments would be that, if it was busy, the cafe wouldn't be big enough (but was fine for our group) and also somebody will have to tackle the weeds in the various gutters as otherwise damp will seriously enter which will lead to major future building issues
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Happiness24558812977
Jul 16, 2025
Great day out - Well worth a visit, very interesting. Staff were lvery friendly and helpful and thete was a lovely, reasonably priced café.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martincg3129pb
Jul 15, 2025
DONT MISS GREAT EXPERIANCE - IT WAS AMAZING REALLY INTERESTING WITH LOTS OF INFORMATION WITH THE HEAD SET'S, TAFF REALLY HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE, WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jamesmv6546cu
Jul 14, 2025
The jail for us. - The tour around the jail was brilliant. The tour guide David was excellent and very informative with the history of the prison and funny as well a great tour and we will be returning
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $20
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).