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Summary

Description

Probably 1886, with minor later additions. Industrial circular stalk and single storey, multi-bay, rectangular-plan former Admiralty Yard smith's shop and fitting shop, converted to prison workshop, 1959. Bull-faced granite stalk; squared and snecked granite with some Aberdeen bond and granite ashlar dressings to workshop. (Granite from Stirlinghill Quarry). Voussoired roundheaded windows; relieving arch.

STALK: to centre N of workshop. Flat-coped square-plan base giving way to battered circular stalk with band course close to top surmounted by cornice, broad projecting band course and blocking course at apex.

WORKSHOP: long low range with stalk projecting at centre N.

N (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: large relieving arch to centre bay with low coped link adjoining stalk (see above); regularly-disposed windows punctuated by 2 later flat-roofed porches in bays to left, 2-leaf door immediately to right, single window, further door and 4 windows beyond; altered bays incorporating later lean-to extension in bays to outer right.

S ELEVATION: 8 semicircular windows in bays to left, 9 full-size

windows and some blocked openings across centre bays, and later lean-to extension to right with 3 further semicircular windows and blocked door to outer right.

Margined glazing pattern and decoratively-astragalled semicircular windows, all in fixed metal frames. Corrugated-iron roof.

Statement of Special Interest

There was a Burgh Prison at 27 Prince Street, Peterhead between 1842 and 1874. After 1874 all small burgh prisons in Aberdeenshire and Banffshire were closed, and prisoners were sent to Craiginches Prison in Aberdeen.The workshop and stalk at Peterhead Prison form a notable architectural and historically interesting component of the current prison. The original industrial purpose continues and is displayed with pride in its dignified design. The stalk is no longer in use. In 1882 a committee appointed to consider the best methods of employing convicts reported that "the most likely prospect for benefiting theshipping and fishery interests of the country at large and at the same time profitably employing convicts is the construction of harbour and refuge at Peterhead in Aberdeenshire". As a consequence of this, 'The Peterhead Harbour of Refuge Act' was passed in 1886, authorising the Prison Commissioners for Scotland to build a prison. Prior to the opening of Peterhead Prison, male convicts on probation were sent to Perth General Prison for a period of nine months solitary confinement, and then on to prison in England. In July 1885 land was purchased for the sum of £5,000 and building of the 'convict prison' at Salthousehead began in 1886. The prisonwas opened on 7th August, 1888 and was complete by July 1891. By 1897 prisoner's work was equally divided between the Admiralty Yard and Admiralty Quarries at Stirlinghill. The task, overseen by warders with rifles, was to build two massive sea-walls, the North and South Breakwaters. By 1957 the harbour was complete, and daily railway trips to the quarry ceased. Prisoners would subsequently be employed in industrial worksheds within the prison grounds, and in 1959 "part of the Admiralty Yard, and some of the buildings thereon, was taken over, adding some 20 acres to the original site".

References

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