Peterhead Prison Museum has been handed a four-star rating only months after opening its doors to visitors.
Since it was unveiled in June, the visitor centre in the former HMP Peterhead has drawn tens of thousands of visitors.
Now the attraction has earned a four-star rating from Visit Scotland after an unannounced visit a fortnight ago.
Alex Geddes, development co-ordinator at the former prison site, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of the visit from Visit Scotland.
“To get a four-star rating is quite impressive and it has given the staff at the prison a huge boost. The visit was unannounced, so it came as a bit of a shock when they revealed themselves at the end of the tour.”
More than 45,000 people have already passed through the gates at the infamous former jail to explore life behind bars in a Victorian prison.
Jo Robinson, Visit Scotland’s regional director, said: “I would like to congratulate Alex Geddes and his enthusiastic staff at Peterhead Prison Museum on this well-deserved achievement following their first ever grading visit.
“They are providing a fantastic, interesting and unique visitor experience, which is reflected in this four-star award.”