Scotland’s most notorious jail will host a charity prison break challenge to support adults with learning disabilities across the north-east.
HMP Peterhead once housed some of the country’s most violent offenders and in 1987 was the scene of a standoff between inmates and SAS troops.
Now the jail has closed its gates for good and inmates are housed in the neighbouring HMP Grampian superjail.
It is hoped a new event at the former prison can raise funds to support Fly Cup Catering projects – an Inverurie-based charity which gives adults with learning disabilities access to training and employment in the catering industry.
On April 23, participants will get the chance to abseil “army style” off the cell blocks as part of the challenge.
A spokesman for the Great Escape Prison Break said: “The iron gates of the first ever convict prison in Scotland will swing shut on this day to keep everyone in the heart of the compound to begin their getaway.
“They will choose their master plan and join us for an exciting challenge in aid of one fantastic cause.”
He added: “Heroic participants are set to follow in the footsteps of the courageous 1987 SAS troops who famously seized back control of the notorious Peterhead jail in a standoff which made history.”
Fly Cup Catering chief executive Denise Belshaw hopes more than 200 people will take part on the day, with “friends locking up friends, colleagues locking up bosses and perhaps wives locking up husbands”.
She added that the funds raised will help the charity create an SQA learning centre at their premises in Burghmuir Circle, Inverurie.
Entries and nominations for the challenge are being sought now at: www.georgewalkerevents.co.uk
Information about the event will be regularly updated on Fly Cup Catering’s Facebook page.