Peterhead Prison Museum bosses revealed this week they face closure without immediate support, despite the attraction being one of the most popular in the north-east.
Ruaraidh Britton Reporter
06:00, 08 Feb 2026
Peterhead Prison Museum
An urgent plea to the Scottish Government to save Peterhead Prison Museum from closure has been made by a north-east politician.
Known as Scotland’s Alcatraz, the former jail housed some of the country’s most violent criminals from 1888 until its closure back in 2013.
It also hit the headlines in 1987 when inmates staged a notorious riot, attacking prison guards and climbing onto the roof in protest, with the SAS storming the jail.
Infamous criminals such as Peter Tobin and triple axe killer Thomas McCulloch were among the violent criminals who called ‘Scotland’s gulag’ home.
The prison’s closure however did not spell the end for the building, as three years later it reopened as a museum, which has since brought thousands of visitors inside the horrifying cells.
But earlier this week, the owners admitted they were facing the risk of closure unless they could close the funding gap that has left the attraction in an ‘extremely fragile’ state.
Prisoners climbed onto the roof of the jail during their protest in 1987(Image: Mirrorpix)
Joel Campbell, CEO of Cove Group which runs the attraction, said: “Peterhead Prison matters not just to the north-east, but to Scotland as a whole. Losing this piece of history would be devastating.
“We stepped in knowing this would be challenging, but the delays over the past year have left the situation extremely fragile. Unless we can close the remaining funding gap, the prison is genuinely at risk.”
If the prison’s museum were to close, Cove Attractions say that 12 local jobs would be lost and the future of the Lifeboat Museum housed within the prison site would also be uncertain.
They are urging the public to visit and support Peterhead Prison over the coming weeks. To encourage visitors they are offering, kids go free and eat free during February half term.
Joel continued: “We’re asking people to come out and support the prison, the team who work here, and the future of this site. If we cannot close this funding gap, the prison could be forced to close in the coming weeks potentially for good.”
Prison officer Jackie Stuart was held hostage during the violent protest(Image: Daily Record)
The announcement prompted a call for the government to save the historic venue, highlighting the challenges facing the culture sector.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Douglas Lumsden said: “The possible closure of Peterhead Prison Museum is extremely worrying and everything must be done to save this historic site.
“This concerning announcement underlines the financial challenges facing many of our cultural institutions, which are often running at a loss.
“The continued success of the museum has made it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the north-east.
“It plays a pivotal part in educating our younger generation about the history of our region by remembering Scotland’s toughest jail, from its opening in 1888 to its decommissioning in 2013.
“Peterhead Prison Museum must be saved, which is why the Scottish Government has a part to play in supporting these landmarks to ensure they have a sustainable future for years to come.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Museum Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the national development body for museums and galleries, and we would encourage Peterhead Prison Museum to engage directly with MGS for advice and further information on any support it may be eligible for.”