Peterhead Prison Announces Phased Reopening from 23rd May

Peterhead Prison Announces Phased Reopening from 23rd May

Peterhead Prison is set to reopen its doors to visitors on a phased basis from Saturday 23rd May, marking the next step in the site’s transition.

Following the recent closure of the main attraction to allow for reconfiguration works, Cove Group had initially planned to relocate the visitor experience into B-Wing. However, during early-stage preparation works, it became clear that the scale of remediation required within the building, including significant clearance and clean-up, was greater than originally anticipated. As a result, a revised approach has been taken to enable the attraction to reopen sooner, while longer-term works continue in parallel.

From 23rd May, the prison will reopen to the public on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 10:00am to 3:00pm, with plans to extend opening days during peak holiday periods. The café will continue to operate 7 days per week.

Visitors will notice several operational changes. Parking will now be available within the prison walls, and the café will act as the central point of entry and arrival. Plans are also being developed to expand the café into an upper level, offering elevated views across Peterhead harbour and the town.

The visitor experience itself is also evolving. A new mobile app-based audio guide will be introduced, providing a more flexible and immersive way to explore the Prison Museum. The current visitor route has been adapted to allow greater freedom of movement, with additional areas, including upper floors, planned to open in the coming months.

Cove Group has also confirmed plans to expand its guided tour offering over the summer, with recruitment of new Tour Guides underway. In addition, the national “Education Behind Bars” programme is set to launch in the autumn term, welcoming schools back to the prison following the summer holidays.

Joel Campbell, CEO of Cove Group, said:

“We’ve listened closely to the local community, and it’s clear there is a strong desire to see the prison reopen as soon as possible. While the condition of parts of the site means some of our original plans will take longer, it’s important to us that we bring the attraction back into use in a way that is safe, sustainable, and continues to improve over time.

This is very much a phased reopening. What visitors will see from May is the start of that journey, with further areas and experiences opening as work progresses.”

A key date for the community is Wednesday 27th May, when Peterhead Prison will host a public consultation event at 6:30pm, led by Joel Campbell and the Cove Group team. The session will provide an opportunity for the community to hear more about the site, ask questions, and contribute ideas to help shape its future.

Earlier in the day, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, the prison will also host a Carceral Heritage Roadshow, delivered in partnership with Robert Gordon University and Edinburgh Napier University. The event will feature a series of interactive engagement activities exploring how prison histories are interpreted in heritage settings, inviting visitors to share their perspectives on the role of prison museums in contemporary society.

Cove Group has a long-standing relationship with Robert Gordon University, including supporting research and PhD study linked to Peterhead Prison.

Both the public consultation and the roadshow are free to attend, however advance registration is required.

Cove Group would like to thank the local community for its continued support and engagement during this period of transition and looks forward to welcoming visitors back to Peterhead Prison.