Peterhead Prison Museum to Close in April as Plans Progress for Future of Site

Peterhead Prison Museum to Close in April as Plans Progress for Future of Site

The prison museum attraction at Peterhead Prison will close to the public on Sunday 19^th April, marking the final opportunity for visitors to experience the site in its current format.

The closure relates specifically to the prison museum and attraction element of the site, with the Prison Café and Lifeboat Museum remaining open seven days a week and continuing to welcome visitors and the local community.

The decision follows a prolonged period of financial pressure and operational challenges, which have made it unviable to continue running the attraction in its current form. Over the past 12 months, significant investment has been made to keep the site operational and to explore options for its long-term future. The site itself presents substantial ongoing costs, including major structural and maintenance requirements typical of a historic building of this nature.

A recent public fundraising campaign led by the Admiralty Gateway Charitable Trust raised £9,000 towards a wider funding requirement of approximately £70,000. This support has been invaluable in helping to stabilise the site in the short term. The funds have contributed towards maintaining key elements of the site, including the lifeboat museum and the wider upkeep of the buildings, ensuring they can remain open and accessible while the future of the attraction is reshaped. The remaining funding requirement is now being addressed through internal support in order to allow the next phase of plans for the site to progress.

Despite the closure of the museum element, this is not the end for Peterhead Prison. This marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Work is already underway to rework and reshape the attraction, with the aim of reopening later in the year as part of a more sustainable and enhanced visitor experience.

In the meantime, the Prison Café and Lifeboat Museum will continue to operate as normal, providing free access and a welcoming space for both locals and visitors. The café has quickly established itself as a popular destination, with views across Peterhead harbour and a growing reputation for quality food and hospitality.

Private bookings will continue to operate during this period, including school visits through the national Education Behind Bars programme, as well as group and coach tours, ensuring continued access to the site beyond public opening.

As part of shaping the future of the site, a public consultation event will be held at the prison on 27^th May, where members of the community will be invited to meet the team, share their ideas, and help inform how the site can evolve to better serve Peterhead and the wider region.

In addition, a dedicated WhatsApp community has been set up to give local people a direct voice in shaping the future of Peterhead Prison. The group allows people to share ideas, ask questions and engage with Joel Campbell and the team as plans for the site evolve.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to come and experience the prison before Sunday 19^th April, particularly during the Easter holiday period, where a range of special activities and family offers are available.

Joel Campbell, CEO of Cove Group, said:

“Peterhead Prison is a truly unique site with huge potential for the future. However, to realise that potential, it has to be properly planned, financially sustainable, and aligned with the needs of the local community and the wider ambitions for the North East of Scotland.

What we are doing now is taking a step back to ensure we can move forward in the right way. This is not the end of the story for Peterhead Prison, it’s the start of a new chapter. With the right approach, this site has the potential to become something truly special, but we need to take the time to get that right.”

While the museum is closing in its current form, significant work continues behind the scenes to secure a long-term future for the site and unlock its full potential.