Peterhead Prison Museum is located in the NE of Scotland.
Built in 1888 and closing in 2013 it was Scotland's only true "convict" prison [to be sent there meant you had been sentenced to penal servitude]. Also known as "Scotland's Alcatraz" and "Scotland's Toughest Jail" it was the home for Scotland's hardest criminals and has many unique parts including: It was the home of the first "state owned passenger carrying railroad" which was built to carry the convicts every day to the granite quarry 2.5 miles south of the prison to help to build the "Harbour of Refuge"; it was the only "convict" prison in Scotland [prior to that convicts were sent to England to work or sent to Australia in a ship to work there] and it was the scene of a daring raid by the Special Air Service [SAS] to rescue a prison officer held hostag on the roof in 1987 for 4 days before being rescued by the SAS in the early hours of the 5th morning.
The former prison has many interesting and unique parts to it and is now the home of a 5* multi-award winning museum. When visiting walk through 125 years of turbulent history as you step back in time in the halls; kitchen; laundry; reception; shower block; court room; segragation block; and silent cell before heading to the former hospital block the location of one of the most fascinating stories within the complex.
Please dress in warm clothing, sensible shoes and be prepared for an experience you will never forget.
