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Town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Photo: Fred Coutts, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Peterhead is a port in Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland, with a population of 19,060 in 2020. Its fishing industry collapsed in the 20th century and the town is run-down, but is near attractive coastal scenery.
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Highlights local history including Peterhead's heritage as a major whaling port. Main exhibit is a stuffed polar bear.
Opened in 1888, Peterhead Prison had the reputation as "Scotland's toughest prison". Until the 1950s, inmates were subjected to penal labour, working in a nearby quarry and constructing the town's southern breakwater. The museum offers self-guided tours of the former prison, taking 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr. Included in the ticket price is admission to the Lifeboat Museum, which details the history of lifeboats in Peterhead, and houses the restored lifeboat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow.
Exhibits telling the story of traditional farming life in rural Aberdeenshire. The museum is located 20 mins east of the town at Aden Country Park, a large area of parkland and forest featuring a play park and Victorian arboretum.
A fine links golf club hosting the 18-hole Championship Course, ranking in the top 100 in the world, and the 9-hole St Olaf Course.
The "Blue Toon" were promoted in 2025 and now play soccer in League One, the third tier. Their home ground (capacity 3150) is at the west edge of town centre.
It's on the knuckle of land north of the Ugie estuary, but park on the south bank (helpfully called Golf Road) and walk across the footbridge. The "Old Course" took its present form in 1908: yellow tees 5704 yards, par 70. The second or "new" course has been reduced to nine holes.
Three walking routes showcasing Peterhead's history. Information boards are dotted along the routes to give some context to the sites. Allow at least 2 hr for all sections.
Harbour-front fish and chip shop with seating and views of fishing boats.
Award-winning bakery offering a wide range of baked goods and confectionery, including the ubiquitous cookie.
Set in rural surroundings 20 min away from the town, Saplinbrae is the go-to place for fine dining near Peterhead.
Situated in the nearby village of Boddam and rated as one of the best restaurants in the area.
Cosy, well-located cafe perfect for mid-morning coffee or a light lunch.
Busy fish and chip shop owned by a former fisherman.
Award-winning pub in near the harbour.
Small brewery with on-site bar.
Part of the unloved Britannia chain, the staff are friendly and helpful but the rooms aren't much. With leisure club, spa, swimming pool and restaurant.
Known by locals as "Dodie's" after its founder George Donald, this Peterhead institution is one of the few independent department stores found in north-east Scotland. Everything from fridges to footwear can be found, although for clothing and sportswear, sister shop Justrite (41 Queen Street, AB42 1TP) offers a better selection.
The oldest salmon smokehouse in Scotland, producing smoked salmon using traditional methods in the same building for well over 400 years. While the building is not open to tours, visitors can purchase salmon in the shop.
By bus
Stagecoach runs bus services every half hour (hour on Sundays) from Aberdeen via Ellon P&R or Cruden Bay to Peterhead, taking 75 min, around £10.
By car
Peterhead is easily accessible from Aberdeen and the south via the A90, which continues to Fraserburgh.
By train
Peterhead's train station closed to passengers in the 1960s.
By bus
A handful of bus routes operate within the town, connecting with regional routes at Peterhead Interchange. Local routes, however, are best boarded at Chapel Street, a closer stop to the town centre.
By taxi
Taxi services are offered by a number of companies.
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Aberdeen · International · ABZ
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