Discover Peterhead: Harbour, Prison History and Coast

Peterhead is a lively fishing harbour on the dramatic coast of Aberdeenshire. The town’s history includes the development of the harbour, a former prison and lifeboat rescue; nearby, you’ll also find walking trails and coastal and nature attractions. If you’re looking for a hotel in Peterhead, you can start planning your trip by deciding whether you’re most interested in its maritime past, a walk around town or the coast.

Harbour, Prison and Maritime History

Peterhead Harbour was developed in the first half of the 19th century to accommodate a large whaling fleet. The Peterhead Harbour Harbour of Refuge (Admiralty Breakwaters) was built using convict labour. The harbour’s history therefore encompasses both its development for a whaling fleet and the construction of the named breakwaters—two distinct aspects of Peterhead’s maritime past.

The Peterhead Prison Museum is housed in the former Victorian HM Convict Prison. The prison depicted in the museum was in operation from 1888 to 2013. An audio tour features personal stories from officers who worked there. At the museum, you can encounter both the historic prison building and personal accounts of working in the prison.

The Fisher Jessie Statue is a sculpture in Peterhead town centre. The town’s history also includes lifeboat rescue: a former Watson-class RNLI lifeboat served in Peterhead from 1939 to 1969 and rescued 496 people during that time. Today, the lifeboat is the centrepiece of the Lifeboat Museum. The statue and the lifeboat represent different ways of engaging with the past—a sculpture in the town centre and a museum focused on lifeboat rescue.

The Peterhead Trail: Town Centre, Coast and Museum

The Peterhead Trail is a free, self-guided walk featuring more than 500 years of local stories. A short route passes through the town centre, while a longer one follows the coast via Buchanhaven. There is also an extension connecting the town centre with the Peterhead Prison Museum. The routes therefore vary in their course and points of interest: you can choose a short walk in the centre, the longer coastal route or the link to the museum. These different features offer a practical guide when choosing a route; the trail brings together local stories and several possible walking routes.

Beaches and Nature in Peterhead and the Surrounding Area

Peterhead Lido Beach is suitable for watersports and is sheltered by the enclosed Peterhead Bay. North of Peterhead lies Rattray Head Beach, a remote sandy beach with a distinctive lighthouse, ideal for peaceful walks and wildlife watching. Also north of Peterhead, the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve provides a habitat for thousands of migratory birds. The coastal attractions offer different experiences: watersports at Peterhead Lido Beach, peaceful walks and wildlife watching at Rattray Head, or migratory birds at the reserve.

Discover more destinations: Stonehaven, Longside, St Cyrus, Logie, Inverurie, Ellon, Balmedie, Aberdeen

For the regional travel guide: Aberdeenshire.