The light at the end of the breakwater

This is the navigation light at the end of the south breakwater guarding the Peterhead Bay of Refuge.

There has been a fishing harbour at Peterhead for more than 400 years and the success of the town has been closely linked to the level of trade using the harbour.

During the late nineteenth century there was considerable concern at the loss of life and craft at sea. A plan to provide several Harbours of Refuge along the east coast of Britain was made, but the only Scottish development occurred at Peterhead. A male prison was constructed to provide convict labour to build the two massive granite and concrete breakwaters. The convicts laboured under under armed guard, supervised by local masons and tradesmen. Work started in 1886 and continued until completion in 1956, interrupted only by the two world wars.

By the time the harbour was completed, sail had given way to power and there was no longer a requirement for a Harbour of Refuge. The sheltered bay created by the breakwaters was little used until the discovery of oil in the North Sea. The strategic location of Peterhead made it an ideal centre for servicing the offshore oil and gas industry. The provision of purpose built support bases and deep water berthing has enabled Peterhead to develop its role as an important centre for this industry.