Peterhead Prison Museum is at risk of closing within next six weeks due to funding gap

The Peterhead Prison Museum, once known as “Scotland’s Alcatraz”, is at risk of closing within the next six weeks due to a funding shortfall.

“Scotland’s Gulag” opened its doors on August 14, 1888, and became the country’s only convict prison for 125 years.

Inmates would travel daily by train to a nearby Stirlinghill Quarry to carry out hard labour.

In 1987, the “Hate Factory” became the site of an SAS operation as prisoners seized control of D Hall and took officer Jackie Stewart hostage on the roof.

The siege took place over five days as inmates threatened to set the prison officer alight. Control was taken back within three minutes as the SAS stormed the building with CS gas and stun grenades.

HMP Peterhead held some of Scotland’s most notorious prisoners, including triple axe murderer Thomas McCulloch, serial killer Peter Tobin and gangster Paul Ferris

It is believed that the damage caused to the prison at the time was worth £55m, which is more than £200m in 2026.

The infamous prison closed its doors in 2013, following the opening of HMP Grampian.

Three years later, the building was reopened to visitors interested in learning more about the past of the building and those who resided in it.

Jackie Stewart was held on the roof by prisoners during the riot. STV News

Cove Attractions, which operates part of the prison attraction, has warned that it is now at risk of closure.

Peterhead Prison confirmed that an agreement to secure its “long-term” future was agreed over a year ago, but repeated delays have put “the future of the attraction in jeopardy”.

Since 2021, the site has operated at a loss, resulting in the charity which owns the prison running out of funds in October 2024.

Cove Attractions stepped in to support the charity, providing more than £200,000 of financial support over the last year. Trustee Conrad Ritchie has personally contributed over £130,000 to support the charity since 2021.

Due to delays in the transfer, an additional £70,000 in costs has accrued, creating a “critical funding gap” that could result in the closure of the former prison.

The Peterhead Prison Museum has become a popular tourist attraction. Peterhead Prison Museum

Joel Campbell, CEO of Cove Group, 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.”

A total of 12 jobs will be lost if the site is closed. In an effort to bring in cash in the near future, the attraction is offering kids to go free and eat free during the February half-term.

The CEO added: “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.”