Step back in time and visit "Scotland's Toughest Jail". Opening in 1888 it closed in December 2013, and little changed within that period. Known as "Scotland's Alcatraz" you will walk through the halls, cells, former kitchen, shower block, booking in area, courtroom, segregation block, infamous silent cell, and hospital complex and much more. This 6 acre site was Scotland's only true "Convict Prison" [to be sent here meant you had been sentenced to "penal servitude"] it was the home of the first state owned passenger carrying railway in Britain and in 1987 was the scene of the only time the Special Air Service [SAS] was used to end a domestic siege after an officer was held hostage on the roof for 4 days, ending in the early hours of the 5th morning with a daring raid. Hear former officers tell their stories at key points on the route in our award-winning audio sets and enjoy the experience within our 5* multi award winning complex.