HM Prison Peterhead

HM Prison Peterhead stands on the north-east coast of Scotland in the fishing town of Peterhead. Built in 1888, it was Scotland’s only convict prison, holding men sentenced to hard labour. The prison once held up to 455 men in 1911, though its official capacity was far lower. Over the years it expanded with new wings in 1909, 1960 and 1962. The prison closed in 2013 after more than a century in operation. The prison is recognised for a violent riot in 1987 when inmates took a guard hostage in D wing. The crisis ended when the SAS stormed the building and freed the officer unharmed. Later inspections described the prison as harsh, with poor conditions persisting into the 21st century. It specialised in holding sex offenders and was often compared to a bleak penal colony. The site now hosts a museum preserving its history. Visitors follow an audio tour through cells, exercise yards, kitchens and the prison hospital. The museum also shows rooms used for laundry and administration. A small cafeteria on the first floor offers light refreshments. The building remains largely intact, giving a clear sense of daily life behind bars. Films such as *Redcon-1* and the series *Screw* were shot here. Run by a local attractions company, the museum offers a sombre look at Scotland’s penal past.