History 

During the late nineteenth century there was considerable concern at the loss of life and equipment 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 breakwaters, work on which 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 both the offshore oil and gas and fishing industries. The provision of purpose built support bases and deep water berthing has enabled Peterhead to develop its role as an important centre for these industries.