Peterhead Prison & Panoramic Aberdeen

OVERVIEW

Get a behind-the-scenes look at a former prison with a notorious past and then view the highlights of downtown Aberdeen in air-conditioned comfort. Peterhead Prison is now a museum where it is easy to imagine the horrors of life behind bars. Conditions were harsh in the so-called “Hate Factory,” as the prison was known. It operated for 125 years before closing in 2013 and the stories of the convicts held there are legendary. For instance, the notorious murderer Hannibal the Cannibal was in solitary confinement for a record 39 years. You will hear every gruesome detail as you walk through the cell blocks and elsewhere. On a lighter note, you will then drive around Aberdeen admiring the key landmarks, many of them constructed with locally quarried granite, which is why Aberdeen is nicknamed Granite City. If you notice the granite sparkling, it is most likely the quartz and mica within the granite reflecting the sunlight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour one of the toughest, most infamous prisons in Scotland, which is now a museum.
• Hear about the notorious prisoners while viewing the cell blocks and solitary confinement.
• Enjoy a panoramic drive through Aberdeen and notice the abundance of granite buildings.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.