Peterhead Prison Museum

Peterhead Prison Museum Discover Scotland's Dark Past at Peterhead Prison Museum. A must visit location that inspires people, educating, engaging & immersing visitors.
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Visit the Refuge Cafe, no entry ticket required! 10AM-3PM!

23/06/2026

Cell Through The Ages! Every Cell Holds A Story.

This time, we step inside a modern-day cell, where the experience of prison life has continued to evolve. Typically shared by two prisoners, these spaces are more structured, yet still defined by routine and restriction.

Wooden bunk beds, along with access to electronics such as TVs, kettles, and radios, reflect a shift toward a more liveable environment. In some prisons, phones and tablets are now part of daily life, used for communication and managing basic tasks.

Prisoners wear grey tracksuits and can purchase personal items, adding small touches of individuality within a controlled setting. It’s a contrast to the past, where possessions were few and comfort was minimal.

Yet even with these changes, the purpose of the cell remains the same. A place of confinement, routine, and reflection.

From then to now, each cell tells a different story, but all of them ask the same question, what does time inside really feel like?

Want to experience what prison was really like? Guided tours are now available every Saturday, bookings now available online.

🚤 Visit the Lifeboat Museum 🚤Discover the incredible stories of bravery, rescue and survival at the Lifeboat Museum in P...
21/06/2026

🚤 Visit the Lifeboat Museum 🚤

Discover the incredible stories of bravery, rescue and survival at the Lifeboat Museum in Peterhead and the best part? You can visit for free, with no prison entry ticket required.

Explore historic lifeboats, fascinating artefacts and the rich maritime heritage that shaped Peterhead’s connection to the sea. From dramatic rescue missions to the everyday lives of lifeboat crews, there’s plenty to uncover for visitors of all ages.

Simply drop in and experience this unique piece of local history for yourself, and grab a bite to eat in the Refuge Cafe!

This Father's Day, we're giving you the chance to finally get your own back.Spent years hearing "we have food at home"? ...
19/06/2026

This Father's Day, we're giving you the chance to finally get your own back.

Spent years hearing "we have food at home"? PRISON! Constantly forwarding questionable Facebook memes? PRISON! Turning every room into a blackout zone by switching off lights the second you leave? Aey, you guessed it! PRISON!

Well, now it's time for justice. Bring Dad along this weekend and lock him up for his crimes against the family. 🚔

The best part? Dad gets in FREE, and you can even treat him to a cream tea while he's behind bars. ☕🍰 Happy Father's Day Weekend to the men who somehow manage to be our biggest embarrassment and our biggest heroes at the same time: https://ow.ly/rmrw50ZeypL

19/06/2026

Cell Through The Ages! Every Cell Holds A Story.

This time, we step inside a 2013 Cell, a space that shows how the prison looked in its final years before closure.

With a kettle, TV, and radio, these cells reflect a more modern way of living behind bars. Yet despite these additions, life remained structured, controlled, and confined within the same walls.

Furniture was fixed in place to prevent damage, and prisoners wore issued clothing, maintaining a sense of routine and uniformity in daily life.

It’s a space that feels familiar, almost recognisable, yet still shaped by restriction.

Not history from centuries ago, but from a time many still remember. A reminder that these stories are closer to us than we might think.

🔒 Step Inside Scotland’s Toughest Prison 🔒Imagine walking through the silent prison wings, hearing cell doors clang shut...
17/06/2026

🔒 Step Inside Scotland’s Toughest Prison 🔒

Imagine walking through the silent prison wings, hearing cell doors clang shut behind you and standing in the very spaces that once held some of Scotland’s most notorious inmates.

As you wander the corridors of Peterhead Prison, you’ll uncover over 125 years of history — from daily prison life and daring escapes to riots, punishment and the stories of those who lived and worked behind these walls.

Explore original cells, atmospheric hallways and fascinating exhibits at your own pace, or join a guided tour led by an ex-prison officer for an even deeper insight into life behind bars.

Are you ready to experience it for yourself: https://coveattractions.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/63162?catID=60724&navItem=1235458

Credit: DUNCAN BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

15/06/2026

Cell Through The Ages! Every Cell Holds A Story.

This time, we step inside a 1995 Cell, a space still shaped by overcrowding and routine. Built for one, yet often shared by up to three prisoners, it was a place where personal space was limited, and daily life unfolded in close quarters.

Basic conditions remained a constant. A single bucket served as a toilet, emptied each morning, while washing was done with a simple jug of water and, at times, a borrowed razor. Privacy was rare, and even the smallest tasks became part of a shared routine.

Clothing, too, reflected the structure of prison life. For formal occasions, prisoners wore shirts and jeans, a small distinction within an otherwise uniform environment.

Cells like this highlight just how recent some of these realities are. Not centuries ago, but within living memory, people were navigating daily life under these conditions. It invites a different kind of reflection, one that feels much closer to home.

Guided tours are now back up and running! Book your tour now, available every Saturday

👀 A Different View of Peterhead Prison 👀This incredible aerial photograph captures Scotland’s toughest prison from a who...
13/06/2026

👀 A Different View of Peterhead Prison 👀

This incredible aerial photograph captures Scotland’s toughest prison from a whole new perspective. From the towering prison walls to the exercise yards and prison wings, there’s so much history hidden within this image. 🔒

Can you spot the different sections of the prison? What stands out to you the most?
And for those who have visited before , does anything look different today?

Let us know what you can see in the comments below 👇

11/06/2026

Cell Through The Ages! Every Cell Holds A Story.

This time, we step inside a 1960s Cell, where prison life began to shift, yet remained far from easy. Often shared by up to three men, these cells were crowded spaces, shaped by routine, resilience, and the realities of daily life behind bars.

Days were defined by basic conditions. Meals came in the form of tinned food, and each morning began with the practice of slopping out, a stark reminder of the limited facilities prisoners lived with. Even so, small changes were beginning to emerge.

Prisoners wore suits, and time was passed through books and simple games, offering moments of distraction within a confined world. It was during this period that education and recreation were introduced, marking the early signs of a system starting to evolve.

Cells like this reflect a turning point, where hardship still dominated, but new ideas around reform and rehabilitation began to take shape. You can’t help but wonder how it felt to live through that change from the inside.

At Peterhead Prison, these moments in history aren’t just told they’re experienced.

You can now book a guided tour, they are available now, running every Saturday

🧵 Prison History Fact 🧵Workshops were an important part of daily life inside Peterhead Prison, with prisoners carrying o...
09/06/2026

🧵 Prison History Fact 🧵

Workshops were an important part of daily life inside Peterhead Prison, with prisoners carrying out sewing and repair work to maintain uniforms, bedding and other essentials under strict supervision.

The sound of sewing machines once echoed through the prison workshops as inmates completed repetitive tasks designed to teach discipline and practical skills.

Today, you can still see original workshop chairs and sewing machines similar to those once used by prisoners on display at Peterhead Prison. Step inside and discover the history for yourself: https://coveattractions.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/63162?catID=60724&

07/06/2026

Cell Through The Ages! Every Cell Holds A Story.

This time, we step inside a Male Victorian Cell, a space never truly meant for the number of lives it would hold. Built for one, yet often shared by four, these walls witnessed overcrowding, tension, and the quiet endurance of those confined within them.

By day, the cell was stripped back to create space. Hammocks were taken down each morning, leaving little behind but bare surroundings and long hours to fill. As night fell, the room dimmed to candlelight, with only shadows and silence for company.

For many, the Bible was the only permitted reading material. A single source of reflection in an otherwise restricted world, offering comfort to some, and routine to others.

Cells like this reveal more than just conditions, they tell stories of resilience, adaptation, and the realities of prison life in the Victorian era. It’s hard not to imagine what it must have felt like to live each day within these limits.

At Peterhead Prison, you don’t just learn about history you step inside it.

Address

South Road
Peterhead
AB422ZX

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441779581060

Website

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