Scottish Witchcraft Trials

This book presents a selection of original texts of Scottish witchcraft trial records, with historical commentary. These are the essential sources for understanding the intensity of witch-hunting in Scotland.


Witchcraft was a statutory offence in Scotland between 1563 and 1736, and the authorities held many trials and executions for witchcraft in this period. This book presents a representative selection of original records of these trials, with historical commentary. The documents are selected mainly from the records of local kirk sessions, presbyteries and burghs, and the central justiciary court. Some records include statements by neighbours about alleged bewitchment; these narrate quarrels, illness and healing, and misfortunes in everyday life. In other records, the accused witches themselves are interrogated about alleged dealings with the Devil; the resulting confessions can include fantastical accounts of visionary experiences and encounters with fairies. Each case has its own uniqueness; these are all individual human stories, often tragic ones. The records show the local church authorities, and the criminal courts, investigating and unwittingly creating an impossible crime.