A H I S T O R IC A L A C C O U N T

OF

T H E BE LI EF

IN

W ITCHCRAFT
SC O TLAN D

IN

BY

C HARLES KIRKPAT RIC K

HAR PE,

ESQ

0f H oddam Castle

LO N DO N

GLAS GO W

H AM ILT O N ,
:

T H O M AS
1 884

ADAM S
D

CO

M O RI SON

E DI T O RI AL N O T E

I N the ye ar 1 8 1 9 Charle s Kirkp atrick S h arpe

e di te d from m an uscrip t the w ork n o w c o m

Me m o rialls
Tho ugh
m o nly kn o w n as Law s
w ork , an d o fte n q uo t e d by
n o w a s tan d ard
hi storical w ri te rs, it h ad n o t been prin ted
prior t o t h e above n am ed date
The title
Me m o ri alls ; or the
i n full ru n s as follo w s
M em orable Thi ngs that fell o ut Withi n thi s
Is lan d o f Brittain fro m 1 6 3 8 to 1 6 8 4 By the

In the pre face to the

Re v M r R obert Law

M e m o ri alls
M r S h arpe s ays regardi n g the
The M S from w hich th e Mem
m an us cript :
h ave been printed i s n o t i n the han d
o ri alls
w riti n g o f the au thor
Tran scribed w ith extrem e
i n acc uracy by s o m e bl underi ng am an u en s is , it
h as bee n corrected by Woodro w hi m s elf and
form s a p art o f th e v ol um i n o us collectio n o f M SS
m ade by th at revere n d m i n i ster as m aterial s fo r

h i s Acco u n t o f the S u e ri ngs o f t h e Scotti sh

C h urch
w hich , fro m
an d fo r an o t her w ork
s e veral papers i n h i s library he s ee m s to h ave
projected , bu t m ost un fortunately did n o t bring
to perfec tion A History or C ollectio n o f
Authe n tic N arrative s re s pecti n g the App arit ion s

The
an d Witchcraft o f h i s N ative C o un try
author, R e v R obert La w w as m i n i s ter o f E as ter
Kilpatrick, i n the coun ty o f D um barto n

A s the pri n cipal fe at ure i n L aw s M e m o ri alls

con si sts i n n arrative s o f the doings o f w itchcraft
a n d other m atte rs par taki n g o f t h e m arvello us
M r S harpe, i n edi t ing the w ork very happily
'

EDI T O RI A L N O TE

thought th at an i n trod uction tracing o ur legen ds

appe aran ces to the
o f w izardry an d s pectral
e arliest periods o f Scottish his tory would be an
s i n tro
Thi
rO ri ate ad ditio n to the w ork
a
pp p
d uction am oun ts to n e arly as m uch m atte r as
that o f the w ork to w hich it w as prexed an d
i s n o w regarded as probably the m os t i m portan t
part o f the volum e It i s the bes t chron ological
an d hi s toric al acco un t o f s u ch m atters i n S cot
lan d an d bei ng strictly a m on ograph quite
i n depen de n t o f the Me m o ri alls i n every re
h
s ect
it
a
s
bee
n
tho
ght
th
t
i
t
m
ight
very
u
a
p
appropri ately be pri n ted by its elf an d th us p u t
w ithi n the reach o f all ; m ore e s pecially as the
ori gin al i s a large quarto volum e n o w very
s c arce an d co m m an di n g a high pri ce debarri n g
i t s po sse ss io n fro m all but the fe w
The prese n t vol um e i s that in trod uc tion an d i s
i ssued as s e nt o ut by Mr Sharpe o nly i n s om e
artic ul ars the arran ge m e n t i s slightly altered
age w as a large quart o per
n t h e origi nal the
p
m itti n g i n s everal i n s tan ce s o f exte ns ive footn ote s
Thes e as un suitable fo r the pres en t size o f p age
the conti nui ty o f the
an d as detracti n g fro m
n arrative h ave w he n it co uld be do n e w ith per
fe et prop riety bee n i n ser ted i n the body o f the
w ork
In in stan ces where this cou ld n o t be
don e properly the n otes have been tran sferred
to the Appe n dix Like w i se i n the pres en t iss ue

the book i s divided i n to ch apters a list o f

book s o n w itchcraft i n Scotlan d an d an In dex
having bee n added These additio ns the Editor
hope s w ill e nhan ce the value o f the w ork and
ren der it s till m ore in teresti ng an d attractive
.

C ON TEN T S

PAC

E DITO R IAL N o rn,

BI OGRAPH ICAL S KETC H

O F T HE

AUTHO R

C HA PTER
To

In

11

1 4 65

A . D.

K
n
C
a
r
a
t
a
l
c
a
n
d
G
a
n
s
T h e c eleb rated Wi tc h
lg ac
i g
e
the da ys of
f

I o na

T h

Vi si ons i n th e

M ac beth

an d

Wi tc hes

A ttac k

Year 697 A D
.

th e T hr ee

T he E nc hanted F ea r
-

Ki ng

ei rd

P atri c

St

on

a nd

i
s
t
er
s
T h o mas th e Rh ymer
S
Wallac e and

f C oulsto n

Lord Souli sThe

Wi tc h s P rop hec y

Cameron

B ish op

Yo u ng M an
T he

Ap p a ri ti o n

R ed C umyn Ki ng

7 32
-

C H A T ER II

th e

th e

A D

H ays

us an d th e

Si r M ic hael S co tt

J a mes F i rst

k Wonderfu l

1 46 6

T o A D.
.

1 590

M
r
a
T
h
I
n
i
u
b
d
b
e
c
a
n
S
uc c u i
A
f

Bewi tc he d T h e M o nster and th e Gentlewo ma n

App ari ti on

ar l

and

J ames I l7

T h e

E xec uti o n

f Lady

J ames V and the Ap p arit io nQueen M ary a nd

Darn ley Th e Co untess of A tho le

T he F ami ly of M ark
T he E a l of H un tlyLad y
Kn x esteemed a Wizard
(l lammi s

F o n llis

and

th e Clay P i c tur es

f Bessy Ro w,

rial o

33-54

C O N T EN TS

CHA PTER III

1 59 1

A D.
.

The F amo us Doctor F ian

Tr ia l Do c to r

A D

TO

a nd

1 593

Th i

A ssoc iates

hi s

Doi ngs

er

F ia n s C o nfessi on H i s E scap e and

P ut to the T ortur eBur ned on the Castle H i ll

Recap tur e
55-81

C H AP T E R
A. D

159 4

IV

A D

TO

1 6 29

and

T h e

Count ess of A r r an dec ei ved

f A yle s

li
s
o
n
B
a
l
o
u
r
t
h
n
A
e O rk ey Wi tc h
J ames VI and h is Des mona
f
lo gi e T he E ar l of Go u r i e a nd the E nc han ted P ar c h ment

T he M u/rder of Ki nc ai d
T h e D evi l at C or storp h i ne Lawri e
Burned o n the Cas tle H i ll T he Bur ni ng of I so bel Gr ier so n
and Ba r bar a P aterson
Curi ng an d I nic ti ng Di seases

T he E ar l

'

Wi tc h

rg

8 2- 1 00

C HA PTER
A D
.

Dr ummond

by

T es ted

th e I ns erti o n

Bar

noto r io us

To

A D
.

1 644

r i ne

O s wald s

A li e

ag ai ns t

Wi tch es

I ndi c tment

H att ar ai c k Burned

P in

I nd i ct men t

War lo c k

Cathe

l
i
v
A e M a ny

Bur ied

Sp aldi ng

A uc h ta ar der
-

H i llT he

Castle

16 3 0

or r i ed at

on

N i s bet J ames

the Coas ts

F ife

k E xec uti o ns of

th e S ta e

ker and Lauder T he I ndi c tment agai nst Agnes

.

th e

on

Fyn/ni e,
1 01 1 1 9
-

C HA P T E R
A D
.

Death

1 6 45

f Cha r les I

VI

To A D
.

a nd

Ci vi l

1 66 9

War

P r edi c ted H idden

T r easur e supp osed to be g ua rded by S p i r i ts D avy Ra msay

Cloc kma ker T h e M ar q ui s of M o ntrose i nuen te d Strang e

,

S i ghts

at

General Lesh ley s

th
Th

i ng Dea

N ume
-

r o us

T he Cases

H utc heson,

H o use P rec og ni tion

t h T wo
e E ar l of H o lla n d s Da r

Wi tc h Burn i ng s on
of M arg aret Br yson

f Ap p r oach

R emar

kables

f Charles

th e Resto r ati o n

I sabel Ra msay,

and

II

M arg aret
1 19 1 43
-

CO N T EN TS

C HA PT E R
A D
.

S tr ange

App a/ri tio ns

A t Cra ig mad
Ro yali sts
at

c o unta

A D
.

Dar mead

th e p art

on

To

V II

1 683

R uthe rg le n
r eg ar

di ng the

The Ghost of Sp ed

th e Covena nters

T h e Layi ng

Wond erful

Gaist

Wit c h

o nzi e

A t

Cur io us Beliefs

Bu r ned

Graves

Cr i e

at

Revela

bly P r ep ar ed

A D
.

1 6 84

To

V III

A D
.

D umfr i esshi r eJ anet

ft i n
tio ns A dd i tio na l
ra

Unac

1 43 - 1 6 0

C H AP TER

Wi tchc

i n the Cor ena n ti ng T i me s

A t

li ns Cas tle
tio ns

1 66 8

I nc id en ts i n

1 71 8

F ras er s R ema r

1 68 7 T h e Rev

ka ble

R evela

F orr es ter

Dr ea mSho wer s of H ats , G uns , a nd Swo rds n ear La nar

T he Vi sc o unt D undee s Ghos tT h e Re nfr ewsh i r e Wi t c h es

Th e

W it c hes Sp i rits

P i tten weem

T rou bli ng the H o use

M i n i ster of Ki n r o ss,

C ur i o us

A cc o unt of

1 71 8

Cas e

th e

1 60-1 80

C H A PT E R
A D

I!

To A D
.

1 7 19

f Wit ch c r aft

i n C ai thness

ames

A dvoc ate s Lett er to

the Sher if Dep u te C ait h nessT h e S herif s A nswer
Wi llia m
M o nt g omeri e s P et i ti o n M arg ar et N i 72 G i lbert s E xa mi nati o n
F raser

'

Wo odr ow

Letter to
-

T he Lor d

a nd

Confess i on ,

1 80 1 94
-

C H A PT E R
A D
.

Lo rd T o rp h i c h en

la st E xec uti on

1 720

To

S o n Bewit c hed

Sc o tt ish

A D
.

1 724

r
o c to

T h e T i nkler ia n D

Wi tc h T he

S tat utes

T he

rega r d i ng

Wi tc hc r aft Rep ealed T he E lg i n Wonder T h e M i n is ter of

a
r
a
h
S lc ig Rut erford s
Revelati ons T he La i rd of C oo l s

Ghost

1 94 206
-

CO N T EN

10

TS

A PPEN DI !
Conveyanc e

T he

ks

Th e M ar
Si c

I ndi vidua ls

Wi tc h

a nd

P eculi ar Cap s

Lor d H o lland

thro ugh

Air

by Witc h

21 0

A n i mals A li ve

Burni ng

210

f the Sevent eenth Century

o
s

th e

kness laid beneat h a Barn Door

0 n Buryi ng

212

Daughters,

21 3

0 n Devi lish Ch ar ms,

21 6

21 7

A tti re

F emales i n M asc uli ne

ke

Th e D u

Sing ular

f La uderdale

and

La ug ha ble

21 8

on

Wi tch craft,

A c c ount of

21 9

th e

Sp i r i t i n

Ki rkc udbr ig h tshi re

EDI TO RI A L
Shor t Li st of Boo

IN DE!

ks on Sc otti sh

A PPEND I !

W i tc hcraft and S up erstiti o n

255

BI O GRA PH I C AL S KET C H O F T HE

AU T HO R
C HAR LES

KIRKPATR IC K SHAR PE the highly gift ed

-

an d w ell

thor o f the follo w i ng w ork

kn o w n
i n the literary circle s o f Edin b urgh d urin g t h e
rst h alf o f the pre s en t ce n tury w as born at
B odd am C as tle Ann an dale o n the 1 5th M ay
1 78 1
the third so n o f C h arle s Sharpe o f
B odd am
H i s father Ch arles Sharpe w as gran d s on o f
S i r Tho m as Kirkpatri ck o f C los eb urn w h o agai n
des cen ded fro m t h e
o n h i s m other s s i de w as
Earls o f Mar an d the D uke s o f Lenn ox This
ill ustrio us des ce n t o n h i s father s s ide w as highly
i n teresti n g to o ur au thor Mr Sharpe Hardly
le ss did he v alue h i s des ce nt thro ugh hi s gran d
m other Lady S usan R e n ton from the Egli n to n
fam ily
Hi s i m m ediate an ce s tres s the beau t iful
C o un te ss S usann ah w as a favo u ri t e subject o f h i s
pen cil an d p e n Hi s elde st brother was the late
Gen eral Sharpe o f H o ddam w h o lo ng represe n te d
the D um fries B urgh s i n Parli am e nt
au

BI

Bei ng

O GRA PH I CA L S KE T CH

youn ger

he

so n ,

vie w probably o f e nteri ng

w hich i n te n tion ho w e ver
,

w as

ed ucated

w ith

the profe ss ions

there w as any s uch

o ne o f

if

ever given effect to

Havi n g atte nded the C ollege classe s at Edi n
b urgh Un iversi ty M r Sharpe m atriculated at
C hri s t Ch urch O x ford i n N ove m ber 1 7 9 8 w here
he grad uate d as BA i n 1 8 02 and M A i n 1 8 06
The death o f h i s father i n 1 8 1 3 an d the s ettle
m e n t o f h i s m other i n Edi n b urgh i n d u ced hi m
afte r th at date to x h i s perm an e n t re s ide n ce i n
that city w hich he acc ordi ngly did an d settled
hi m self i n the pos itio n w hich he kept to the las t
devoting h i s
n am ely th at o f a m an o f fas hio n
li fe to the pleas ure s o f s ociety an d to th e s uc
m u s ic an d t h e
c e s sful cu ltiv atio n o f li terat ure
He like w i s e gave a large am oun t o f
n e arts
atte n tio n to obj e cts o f an tiq uari an an d arti s tic
i ntere s t form i ng an i m m e n s e collectio n o f
books m an uscripts chi na pai n ti ngs e n grav
i ngs m usical i n stru m en ts and other articles
w as

or c urios ity
Thi s collectio n it i s
probably the m os t un iqu e
w as
s u ppo s e d
ever acc um ul at ed by a private i n divid ual i n
o f ver tu

S co tland

BI

O GR A P H I CA L S KE T CH

13

m an ners M r Sh arpe w as

In

polis hed an d aris

t o c rati c s o m e w h at capricio us an d ecce n tric but
at the sam e ti m e extre m ely affable an d obligin g
an d ever re ady to give i n form ation regardi n g
literary an d an tiquarian m atters as likew is e t o
s ho w h i s collectio n to i n tere s ted frien d s
He
h as bee n term ed t h e S i r Horace Walpole o f
Edi n b urgh Thro ugh o ut life M r Sharpe form ed
pers on s
a very l arge circle
o f acq uain tan ces
m ostly o f co n s iderable s ocial or literary n ote
an d carried o n a m os t volu m i n o us corre s po n d
.

en ce
F ore m o st am o n g h i s frien d s at C x
ford appe ar the n am e s o f t h e D uke o f Su ther
lan d the E arl o f Lan esborough Stapleton (so n
o f Lord
lo De S p en c e r) C o nybe are (Pro fe s
f
in
In glis (w h o subse
sor
o f poetry
que n tly represe n ted the Un iversity i n Parlia
.

Jam e s M acdon ald the Earls o f

Reauc h am p Gran ville Som ers et an d m any others
w hos e n am e s occ ur i n the cours e o f h i s corre s
F
ore
m
o
nc e
n
d
s t am o n g h i s Edi n bu rgh frie n d s
e
o
p
m e n t) ,

Si r

m ay
an d

be m ention e d Th o sas Thom son David Lain g

,

Walter S cot t
an active di s po s itio n both

Si r

Of

body Mr
,

Sh arpe

n
e
p

w as

i n m in d

constan tly

in

an d

use

BI

14

writi ng

O GRA P H I CA L SKE TCH

rti cle s o f various de scription s an d e di t

i ng m anus crip ts fo r th e pre ss
Fore m ost am on g
h i s literary labo u rs m ay be m en tio n ed the fo l
lo wi ng The Ba lla d Bo o k a s m all collection o f
S cotti sh ballads i n scribed to S i r Wal te r Scott ;
L aw s M em o ri alls edited from m an uscri pt a w ork
repeate dly referred t o by historical w ri ters as a
book o f authority an d o f w hich th e m os t i m
portan t p art i s probably the vol um in o us i ntro
He
ductio n p urely fro m the p e n o f the edit or
like w ise edite d w ith large n ote s Kirkton s H i s
t or y of the Chu r c h of S c o tlan d and s uperi n te n ded
t h e pri nting o f S i r R M ai tlan d s H i sto r y of the
In
H ou se of Seyto u n fo r the B ann atyn e C lub
a dditio n to th e foregoi ng a co n s id e rable n um ber
o f s m aller p ublicatio n s cam e thro ugh h i s h an d s
a

the

Life

Lady M argar et Cu n n i ngham

f
M em o ri a l of the Con ver si o n of J ean Inivi ngston ;
Letter s of Lady M argar et Ken n edy ; Letter s of
A r c hi bald E ar l of A rgyle ; M i n uets and So ngs
by Thom as sixth Earl o f Kelly ; S argu/ndo or
the Valiant Chri stian All the foregoi ng as also
a n ythi n g else th at m ay h ave co m e fro m the
n
e
p
o f o u r au thor are exceedi n gly s carce and o n ly to
be found i n th e hands o f a fe w collectors In
o

'

BI O GRA P H I C A L SKE TCH

15

i n s tan ce the n um ber o f copies prin ted w as

exceedingly l i m ited
Distin guished as an antiquarian and poet Mr
S harpe gave proo f o f a s till higher skill i n the
ne arts m any o f h i s copper etchin gs and origi
n al draw i n gs attai n in g quite an exte n sive celeb
The production s w ere very n um ero us
rity
A on g m any others m ay be m e ntion ed Quee n
Elizabeth Dan cing High an d Disposedly before
the S cotti s h Envoy S i r Jam es M elvi lle ; the Mar
ri age o f M uc kle m o u d Me g
ill ustratin g a well
k no w n i ncide nt i n Border history ; the Battle
e ac h

m
.

Both w ell Bridge fro m a picture at Dalkeith

house ; portraits o f the D uke an d D uch ess o f
Lauderdale from pictures by Lely ; th e Wi tc h
o f Fyfe
a ch aracter from o n e o f the tale s o f

The Queen s Wake by Hogg ; A L ady w ith

her Flirt and a Fool a fron ti spiece to the
Balla d Book ;
The O wl k n eeling to the Pea

a fro nti spiece to The H owlet ;

coc
The Lady
a fro n ti s piece to th e rom an ce O
and the Kn igh t
f
of

The Lover s M essage a fron ti s

piece to line s by the Earl of Kelly In addition
to the se there are m any others
O n the de ath o f h i s brother i n 1 841 Mr Sharp e

S i r Gr eysteel ;

BI O G RA P H I CA L S KE TC H

16

cceeded

su

the

to

fam ily

in heri tan ce

of

B o d da m

He conti nued ho w ever to res ide chie y i n Ed i n

burgh and e njoyed hi m self in the i nd ulge n ce o f
h i s favo urite p urs u its
He died u nm ar rie d o n
th e 1 7 th March 1 8 5 1 at hi s o wn res ide n c e I n
Drum m o n d Place Edi nb urgh an d w as bu ri e d
with h i s fore fathe rs i n the fam ily m aus ole um a t
Ho ddam
Sin ce h i s dece as e a n e w and e n large d
edition o f the Ba llad Boo k h as bee n iss u ed
There like wi se appeared i n 1 8 69 a large and
m os t i nterestin g vol um e con tai n i ng h i s etchin gs
origin al draw i ngs political an d pros e fragm en ts
Inte rs pers ed throughout the
an d a m e m oir
m em oir are n um ero us extrac ts from h i s corre s
are exceedi n gly ch aracteri stic
hich
w
o n de n c e
p
and forcibly portray the m an an d h i s tas tes
,

1 8 H I S TORY

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

It sh o uld h ave

C TLA N D

IN S O

be en an eagle s ; fo r thes e w onde rs

w ere all por te nto us o f Caratake s battle s w ith th e
R om ans hi s Italian cap t ivity and subs equen t
return to Scotland
Th us also whe n C o rbre id Gald or Galgac us
m arched again s t the s quadro ns o f Italy an d
s us tai ned a s ig nal de fea
an e agle w as s c en e
al m o s t a w hole day eei ng u p an d do w n e over
the Sc otish arm i e eve n as tho ugh s h e h ad
laboured herself w eari e ; als o an arm ed man w as
s ee n i e i n
bo
t
h
rm i e an d s udde n li e v an
a
u
t
e
a
g
i sh ed away
There fell i n like m ann er o ut o f a
dark clo ud i n the elds thro ugh the w hich the
arm i e sho uld pass divers ki n d s o f bird s that w ere
s potted w ith blood
Ki ng M ogall was sus pected
to have k n o wn through w itchcraft o f that c o n
s p i rac y agai n s t h i m to w hich he fell a vict im i n
the year 1 6 9 ; In the reig n o f N ath o lo c us a
w itch d w elt i n Ion a so celebrated fo r her s ki ll
that the k i ng when co m pelled to w ithdraw from
the attacks o f h i s rebellio us s ubjects s e n t o ne o f
h i s t rus ty follo w ers to co ns ult her as to the i ssu e
The w itch cons ulti n g w ith h er
o f the w ar
s pirits declared i n the e n d h o w it sho uld co m e
sh o rt li e t o pass th at the ki ng s ho uld be m urdered
n o t by h i s open en e m ie s bu t by the h an ds o f o n e
o f h i s m o s t fam ili ar frie n d s
i n who m he h ad
reposed an es pec iall trus t T h e m es sen ger de
m anded by whos e h an ds th at s hould be
Even

WI TCH

TH E

by thin e , sai d sh e ,
th es e fe w d ayes

OF I ON A

19

hall be w ell kn o wn w ithin

The ge ntle m an heari ng the se
w ords railed again s t her v e ri e bi tterli e biddin g
her go like an old w itch fo r he truste d to se e her
burn t before he sho uld co m m it so villanous a
An d departi ng fro m her he w e n t by and
deed
by to s igni e w h at answ er he h ad received ; but
before he cam e w here the ki ng lay h i s m i nd w as
altered so th at w h at fo r do ubt o n the o n e s ide
th at i f he sho uld declare the truth as it w as told
h i m the kin g m ight h ap pli e con ceive s o m e great
s uspicio n th at it s ho uld foll o w by h i s m e an e s as
s h e h ad declared an d there upo n p u t h i m to death
rs t ; an d fo r fe are o n the other s ide th at i f he
kee p e it s ecre t it m i ght h appe n to be revealed
by s om e other and then h e to run i n as m uch
danger o f life as before He determ i n ed w ith
hi m sel f to w ork the s ure st w ay an d so co m i ng to
the ki ng he w as led aside by h i m in to h i s p ri vi e
ch am ber w he n all other bein g com m an ded to
avoid he declared h o w he h ad sped ; an d the n
falling forth with u po n N ath o lo c us w ith a d agger
he slew h i m o utright
About the year 3 8 8 the s i ngular piety o f St
Patrick according to tradition becam e so offen
s i ve to the devil that he i n ce n s ed the w hole body
o f w itche s i n S cotl an d again st h i m
In a ban d
they as sailed the aston i shed sai nt w h o ed
to w ards the river C lyde near the m outh of which

as s

20 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

CO TLA N D

he fou n d a littl e boat wherein he im m ediately

leapt an d set o ff fo r Ireland It is well kn o wn
that w itches cann ot cross a runni ng stream i n
purs uit o f their prey ; but thes e to re a h uge
fragm e nt o f rock from a n eighbou ri ng h ill and
h urled it after Patrick taking ho w ever so had
an ai m th at the m as s fell h ar m les s to the
ro
n
u
d
g
an d after ward s
w ith s om e ad ditio n s fr om art
becam e the fortre ss o f D um barton
A n D o 6 9 7 m an y won derful vi s i o n s w ere
In the re m oter parts it rain ed
s een i n S cotlan d
blo od ; an d i n the church o f Cam elo n there w as
heard a n oise as i f it h ad bee n the clatterin g o f
In the sam e city before i ts des truction
arm o ur
by Ken neth as the bi shop w as at service h old
'
i ng h i s c ro c i er s tae i n hi s b an d it w as k in dled
that by n o m ean e it could be
s o w i th re
quen ched till it was burn t eve n to ashes Abou t
n oon e d aie the aire bei n g faire an d cle are as w ell
i n the co un tri e s o f the Scots as o f t h e Pict s there
w as he ard su ch a n o is e an d cl at teri n g o f w e apon s
an d arm or w ith brai e ng o f hors e s as tho ugh t w o
h ave bee n e to gether i n ght
arm ie s s ho uld
w hereby m an ie o f either n atio n w h o he ard it w ere

B
N
n she d
gre
Holli
The
at feare
i
u
t
n
p
sai d Ki n g Ke nn e t h am o n g the l aw s attributed to
h i m ordai n ed th atj ugglers w i zards n ecrom an cers
an d use to s eek u po n
an d su ch as call up s pirits
the m fo r helpe let them be burnt to death
,

'

KIN G D UFF US

AN D TH E H

A GS

21

King Duus s danger from w itchcraft i s detailed

by Buchanan an d other hi stori ans an d by Law
hi m self page 1 1 2 A com pany o f bags roas te d
h i s i m age m ade o f w ax u po n a w ooden spit
reciting certain word s o fe n ch an tm e n t an d bastin g
the gure w ith a pois on ous li quor These w om en
w h en apprehe nded declared th at as th e w ax
m elte d the bo dy o f the ki ng sh o uld decay an d
the w ords o f en chan tm e n t preven te d h i m from
the refre sh m en t o f s lee p

Hi s

picture m ade i n w ax and gently m olten

By a bl ue re ki ndled w ith dead m en s eye s
Will w aste h i m by degre es
M iddleton s Wi tch
,

D uffus recovere d hi s h ealth after the destruo

tion o f the im age ; and the wi tches w ere b urn t at
F orres i n M urray
The m urder of this king
c on ti n u e o ur Ch ron icle w rite rs o c cas ion ed m an y
w on ders
Horses i n Loth ian rem arkable fo r
s w i ftn e s s an d beau ty ,devo ured their o wn e sh
s
n or w o ul d they taste an
u
f
n
n
other
oo
I
d
A
g
y
a gen tle wom an brought fort h a child w itho ut
eyes n ose h ands or feet ; a s parro whawk was
s tran gle d by an o wl ; an d the s u n was co m ple te ly
veiled i n c lo uds fo r th e tedious sp ace o f si x
,

m on th s

Macbeth s

venture with th e three w eird

the n ext rem ark able eve n t i n o ur m ira

i t r

s s e s

is

ad

WI TCH CRAF T

22 H I S TOR Y O F

IN S

CO TLA N D

l They w ere dressed i n strange an d

w ild appare l lik e people o f the elder wor ld ; an d
it appears doubtful whether they were m ortal
w itc h es or ny m ph s a li a s fairies w h o are s up
pos ed to be al ways o n good term s w ith the others
whom th ey rese m ble i n their evil prope nsitie s
In th e R ec u ei l de Di sser tati on s su r les App ari
pri nted at Av ign on 1 7 51 i s a story o f
ti o n s
a c up se i ze d by a co un try m an at a ban quet o f
th ese fairies and prese n ted to Ki ng Hem y th e
Firs t o f E nglan d It w as o f an extrao rdinary
com positio n and colour be ari ng no resem blan ce
to com m on cup s Hen ry se n t it to th e king o f
S cotlan d and i t was pre s erved w ith gre at care i n
the royal tre asury till William th e Lion restored
it to E ngland as a gift to He nry th e Secon d Th e
dri nking glass at E de n Hall i n C um berland i s
co nsecrate d by a s i m ilar legen d
Clelan d i n h is Elgi es Cler i c or um attribute s
the disappearance o f the Scottish fairies to the
Reform ation Talki n g o f Par nassus h e observe s
c ulo us an na s

Th ere s

als

m uch

vi

rtue sense and pi th

In Annan or the Water o f N ith
Which q uietly slips by D um fries
Als any water i n all Greece
F or t here an d s everal other pl aces
Abou t m ill dam s and g re e n brae fac es
Both Elrich elfs an d brown i es stayed
,

TH O M A S

TH E R H

YM ER

23

go wn d fai ries daunc d and played :

When old Joh n K nox and other som e
Began to plott th e Haggs o f Rom e
Then s ud de nly took to their h e els
An d did n o m ore freque n t the s e elds ;
But if R om e s pipe s perhaps they hear
S ure fo r their i n teres t they ll com pe ar
Agai n an d play their old hell s t ricks &c
An d gree n

the year 1 28 5 d uri ng the n uptial festivitie s

o f Alex an der the Third at J e dburgh a ghos t or
s o m ethi n g re s e m blin g a ghos t dan ced at a b all
In s e c ut us e st un us de q uo pen e
F o rdun says
dubi tari p o tui t ut rum hom o ess et an ph an tas m a ;
agis labi v i debat ur quam pede
m
t
m
br
a
u
i
u
u
q
And Boe ce positively afrm s
t e nt i m trans ire
Efg i e s hom in is m o rtui
t h at it was a sk eleton
carn e n udati s ej us o ss i bus v isa e st
In the reign o f the sam e m onarch ourish ed
that m ys terio us prophet wi zard sem i m ortal and
poet Thom as o f Ercildoun Comm on ly called t he
Rym er whos e ro m an c e o f S i r Tri stre m h as be e n
o f late s o ably edi te d by Mr Scott afte r givi ng
the w orld som e previous n otices of true Thomas
i n th e secon d volum e o f the Border Mi ns tre lsy ;
to those the reader i s referre d for m any in te res t
i ng p articulars res pecti ng th e N ostrad am us o f
S cotlan d as w ell as o f t h e Caledo nian Merli n
with w hose prophecie s and adve n tu re s th ose o f
In

24 H IS TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

th er h ave be en frequently blended and

A c o n tem po rary o f Th om as th e
o bs c ure d
'
Rym e r was Hugh Gio rd Lo rd o f Yes ter
He form ed by
es teem ed a n o table m agici an
m agi c art i n h i s Cas tl e o f Ye ste r a capacious
c av ern c all ed Bo h all that i s H o bgo blin Hall

m
n
ii
s
p
io
u
roo
ith
a
a
w
F
r
d
u
a
c
s
o
(
It m ay
v aulted roo f wh ich s till re m ai ns e ntire
be observed that t he hei re ss o f hi s fam ily m arried
Si r William H ay o f Lo c h arret ances tor o f Joh n
thi rd Lord Hay o f Yeste r w hose daughte r Jean
becam e th e w ife o f Brown o f C oulsto n Th is
lady s do wry co ns iste d o f a si ngl e pear pro bably
en ch ante d by h e r an ces tor H ugh Gifford wh ich
h er father declared to be i nval uable ; ass uri n g th e
Laird o f Coals to n th at whilst th e pear was pre
s erved i h the fam ily it w o uld c ertai n ly co n ti nu e
to ourish
This palladi um i s s till care fully
tre asure d up ; but t here i s a m ark o n o ne s ide
m ade by th e eager teeth o f a lady o f C oalsto n
wh o w hile breedi ng lo n ged fo r the forbidde n
fru it an d was perm itte d to take o n e bite by her
t o o i ndulge n t h usban d ; i n co n s eque n ce s om e o f
the be st farm s o n the es tate very speedily cam e
t o m arket
Craw ford the peerage writer th us
m e n tions th e s upe rs titio n i n h is M S Acc oun t o f
Th ey h ad a pear i n
th e Brow ns o f C o alsto n
their fam ily w hich they e ste em ed yer palladi um ;
i t s repo rted that Betty Mackenzie whe n s h e
th e

26 H IS TOR Y

So

o yi r

OF

t wa

WI TCHCRAFT

i n to ye

IN S

w ode furth

CO TLA N D

pas t

N ane

com e agayne bot bo usto usly c an blaw

I nto gret ire he se n d them furth o n raw
n
u
h
t
a
ll
a
y
n
e
W
a
ll
a
c
w
a
s
l
w
r
e
e
a
e
a
t
Q
y
y y
Ye awfull bl as t abo undyt m e ki ll m ar ;
Yan trewi t he w e i lle yai h ad h ys lugyn g seyn e
Hys su erd he dre w o f n obill m et tall key n e
Sy n e fu rth he w en t q uh ar at he h ard ye horn
Witho ut ye dur Fawdou n was bym befo rn
A s till h ys sicht h ys awn e h ede i n h ys h an d
A c royss he m aid q uh en he saw bym so s tand
A t Wallace i n ye hede he sw aket yar
An d he i n h ais t s on e h ynt it by ye h air ;
Sy n e o ut at bym ag ayne he cou th it cas t
I ntill h ys h art he w as g ret lye agas t
Richt w eill he tro wi t yat w as n a s p re i t o f m an
It w as sum de wi ll at si c m alice began
He w yst n a w eill yar langar fo r to byde
Up throw ye hall yus w yc h t Wallace c an glyde
To a clo ss stayr the burds rai i n t wyn e
Fyftyne fute l arge he lap o ut o f yat i n n
Up ye w att i r s edeynlye he couth fair
Agayn e he blent qubat p eran c e he s aw yair
He thocht he saw Faw do un e yat ugly syr
Yat h ai ll h all he h ad sett i n a fyr ;
A gret raftre he h ad i n till hys h and
Wallac e as yan n o langar w old he s tan d &c
,

Wallace b
,

C A EL S CO TT

S IR M I H

27

Thi s pe riod o f Scottish hi story i s rem arkable

fo r t w o very celebrate d e nch ant ers Lord S o ulis
an d Si r M ich ael S cott o f Balwe ary
S i r Mich ael
w as a m an o f cons iderable le arn ing an d if
tradition i s to be be lieved a gr eat be ne facto r to
h is co un t rywith t h e ai d o f the devil i n deed
wh o n o w an d the n co n de scen ded fo r p urpose s
be st kn o w n to hi m sel f to he lp S i r Mich ael i n h i s
philan thro pic undertaki ngs such as formi ng the
road thro ugh Locher Moss i n D um fries shire
whi c h the s e frie nds are s uppos ed to h ave c o m
ny
l
et ed i n th e sh o rt s p ace o f o ne n ight
m
a
F
or
p
p articulars con cern ing A u ld M i c ha el of Bald
weari e s e e The Lay o f the L as t Mi ns trel N otes
to The Mo untai n Bard an d the excelle n t poe m o f
Ans ter Fai r
Sir Mich ael S cott i s said to h ave bee n b uried
e ith e r at Ho m e Cultram i n C um berland or M el
rose Abbey ; but h i s to m b i s n o w x ed at th e
latter by the great poetical m agician o f h i s own
n am e w h o add s
,

Within it burn s a w o ndero us light

To ch ase th e s pirits th at love the nigh t :
Th at l am p sh all b urn un que n ch ably
U ntil th e eternal doo m sh all be
,

Se e th e

ote to th es e vers e s fo r s o m e c urio us

c i rcum stan ce s res pecti ng s uch lam ps Baptis ta
n

28 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

CO TL A N D

Porta m e ntions a m os t ext raordi n ary and

dangerously devised lam p w ell kno wn it w o uld
appe ar i n h i s ti m e whos e prope rties w e re quite
as w o n derful as the i m m or tality o f the s ep ulch ral
lights
To let n othi ng p ass that j ugglers an d
i m posto rs co unte rfei t they set a lam p with
ch arac te rs graved upon it and lled w i th h e re s
fat ; th an they m u m ble fort h s om e w ords and
light it ; w he n it bu rns i n the m iddle o f w o m e n s
com pany it con strai ns the m all to cast o ff their
clothes an d the w o m en w ill n ever leave d anci ng
so lo n g as the lam p b urn s
and thi s was rel ated
I believe this effect c an
to m e by m en o f credit
com e from n o thing but the hare s fat the forc e
w hereof perh ap s i s ve n e m o us an d pe ne trati ng
t h e brai n m oves the m to thi s m adness
Q uere
Do n o t the villan ous oil m erch ants o f t h e prese nt
day l ight up o ur ball roo m s w ith s o m ethi ng o f
S ee al s o R egin ald Scott s
t h e sam e n at ure ?
Discovery o f Witchcraft b 1 3 c 3 0
William Lord S o ulis was a w izard o f a m uch
T h e Cas tle o f Her
m ore pernicio us de scriptio n
m itage the s ce n e o f h i s fo ul s orcerie s and every
r
s pecie s o f w icked n e s s i s said to h ave s un k
a
p
ti ally i n to the ear th unable to be ar th e lo ad o f
those accum ulated cri m es ; an d he hi m s elf with
w as boiled to death i n a
appropriate cruelty
at a
place called the N i n e S tane
c auldron
R ig by pers ons w hom the ki ng h ad unwarily
-

TH E R ED C UM YN

29

thorised to exec ute so b arbaro us a sen te nce

Bor der M i n str elsy vol ii
I n th e year 1 3 06 R obe rt Bruce s tabbe d Joh n
C um yn re ge n t o f Scotl an d i n the Dom in ical
ch u rch o f D um fr ies ; and the daggers o f Roger
Kirkpatrick o f C lo seburn e an d o fJam c s Lin dsay
co m pleted the m urder Bo wm aker in form s us
th at the corps e o f the rege n t w as after wards
watched by the Do m i n i can s w ith the us ual cer e
m o ni es o f the ch urch
At the m i ddle h o ur o f th e
the w hole as sis tan ts fe ll i n t o t h e m os t
n i ght
profo un d sl um be r savi ng o n e aged fath e r w h o
he ard w i th te rror an d as to ni sh m en t a voic e like
th at o f a w ail i ng i n fan t excl aim
H o w lo ng 0
Lo rd sh all ve ngeanc e be de ferred ?
I t w as

i
n
n
ered
dre
a
f
u
l
to
n
e
E ndure with
a
d
a sw
patie nce un til the an n i ve rs ary o f this day sh all
I n the ye ar
re t urn fo r the fty s eco n d ti m e
1 3 57 fty t wo ye ars aft er th e R e d C um y n s
d eath S i r Jam es Li n dsay w as hospi tably feas te d
i n the Castl e o f C ae rlav e ro c i n D um fr ie s s hire
They w ere th e
belon gin g to R oger Kirkp atrick
A t m id n i ght fo r
s o n s o f the rege n t s m urderers
an d w i th a
s o m e c aus e u n k n o w n Li n d s ay aro s e
po ni ard as sas s i nated h i s sleepi ng ho st He t h e n
m o un ted h i s hors e an d e d ; b ut after ridi n g all
n ight he was take n at day break n o t th ree m iles
fro m the C as tle an d exec uted fo r h i s c ri m e at

D um frie s Vide Wi n to wue s Cro n yki ll b 8

au

3 O H IS TORY

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

Bor der M i ns tr els y

CO TL A N D

vol iii p 3 28 This

appreh e nsio n o f Si r Jam e s Li ndsay s o n ear t h e
h e h ad c omm itted the m urder
s pot w h e re
resem bles t hat o f Po ltro t de Mer the assass in o f
t h e D uk e o f G ui se wh o afte r ridi ng the w hole
nigh t am on g th e w ood s w as seize d i n the m orn
i ng n ear the bridge o f O live t o nly o ne league
from O rleans
F ro m th e con tem porary accoun t o f the barba
ro us m urder o f Ki ng Jam es the Firs t at Perth
i n th e ye ar 1 43 7 pri n te d by M r Pi n ker ton w e
learn that th e m onarch s fate was predicted by
an
Iri sh prophete ss or w itch
The kyn g
m
s o dan l
a
a
vi
s
ed
de
l
m
n
f
e
t
o
f
the
a
s
o
e
s
e
y
p
C hri s tyn m e s at Perth w hich i s c le pi d San t Joh n s
To wn which i s fro m Ede nbo urgh o n th at other
s i de o f t h e S cotti sh s ee t h e which i s v ulgarly
c le i d the Water o f Let h e
Y
n
the
m
i
d
s
f
o
d
p
y
the way thare aro se a wo m an o f Yrelan d that
The w hich an on e
c le p id h e rs e lfe as a s ut h s ay e r
as sh e saw the ky n g sh e cried w ith lo wde voi s e
My lord kyn g an d ye pase this
s ayi ng th us
The
w ater ye sh all n ever turn e agan e o n lyve
ky ng h eryng this was asto nye d o f her w o rdi s ;
fo r bot a li t i le to fore he h ad red i n a p ro ph esi e
th at yn the s el fe sam e yere the kyng o f Sc o ttes
s h uld be slayn e ; an d th er wi t h all the ky ng as he
rode c le pi d to h i m one o f h i s knygh t i s and gave
b ym i n c om m an d m e nt to torn e s gan e to speke
c ap

44

WI T CH

TH E

S P

ROP H E C Y

31

wi th th at wo man , and as k o f h e re wh at

heo wold
a n d w hat thyn g s heo m e n t wi th her lo wd cryi ng ?
An d sheo b egan an d told bym as ye h afe h ard o f
th e kyn ge o f S c o t te s yf he pas s ed th at w ater
As n o w the ky uga as ki d her h o w sheo k n e w
th at ? An d s heo said th at Hu th art told her s o
S ir e quod ho m e n m ay calan t ye tak n o n hede
fo r sh eo n ys ho t :1
o f yo n d w o m an s w orde s
an d
drunki n e fule and w o t n o t w h at s heo saith
w ith hi s folk p as aid the w ater c le p i d the
so
S c o tti sh e s e e to w ard s Sayn t J o h nn es To wn e
The n arrator s tate s s om e dream s o m i no us o f
J am es s m urder an d after wards pro ceeds th us :
Both afore s oper an d lo ng afti r y u to quarter
o f the ny h t i n t h e w hic h the Erle o f A t h e te lles
g
an d Robert S tw ar d w e re abo u te the ky ng w here
t h e y w e r oc c upied att the p layn g o f th e c h ess e
at t the tabl e s yn redyi ng o f r o m ans yn s yn gyn g
n oth e r h o n es t
h
rpi
g
i
n
a
n
a
n
d
an d p yp i ng
y
Th e rwi th
s ol ace s o f g rete p le asan ce an d di s port
cam e th e said w o m an o f Yrelaud th at c le p i d her
'
s el fa dy v e n o u res e and e n t ered the kyn ge s c o ur te
till th at s heo c am e s t regh t to the kynge s ch amb ur
dore whe re sheo s tood an d abode byc aus e that
h i t was sh i tte
An d fas t s heo k no kyd till at the
l as t the usher o pyn e d the d ure m arv e lyng o fth at
w o m an s be yng t here th at ty m e o f the nygh t and
here wh at sh eo w old
Let m e yn s i re
as n
u
s
f
h
od
heo
o
r
I
h
f
s
w
a
t
to
s
a
a
n
d
to
t
ell
a
u
m
q
y
s

'

3 2 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

o the ky ng ; fo r I am the sam e w o m an that

n o g h t lo ng ago ne de s i re d to h af s o k n w ith b m
p y
y
at the Lith w h an h e s ho uld p ass e t h e S cotti sh
se e
The usher w e n t yn and told bym o f th i s
w o m an
Yea quod the ky ng let hir cum e to
m orro w
byc ause th at h e was occupied w ith
s uche di s o rte s at th at t m e b m let n o t to e n
y
p
y
ten d her as then n e The usher cam e agane to the
cham ber dare to the said w om an and there h e
told hir that the kyng w as besye i n playi ng an d
bid her c um soon agano upon the m orro w Well
said the w o m an
hit s hall repe nt yo w all that ye
w il n o t let m e s peke n o w e w ith the kyng
Th erat t h e ushe r lugh e an d held her bot a fule
c h argyng her to go her w ay an d th e r wi t h all sh e
The Earl o f Athole o ne o f the
w en t then s
ch ief con spirato rs w as afte rwards at h i s e xec u
tion cro wn ed w ith a regal di adem o f red hot iro n
because says B uch anan certai n w itches fo r
w ho m th e co un ty o f Athole was al ways i n fam ous
h ad t old hi m t h at he w ould be crow n ed a ki ng
The histori an sagely
i n si ght o f all the people
v at i c i ni um i ta vel i m le t um vel
u
e
add s
q
p
e lus u m e s t : ac cer te tales p re di c ti o n es fr eque n te r
h uj us m o di s o rt i un tur even tus
unt

"

34 H IS TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

CO TL AN D

4
i
w
m
a
1
n
m
a
s
u
a
s
e
r
o
e
e
re
occ
io
ed
by
9
a
s
s
n
n
a
7
y
a cc usatio n o f practi s i n g m agic w hich he w as al
lege d to h ave directed agai ns t the ki ng h i s
brother s life S e v eral authors i m p ute the e n m ity
o f J am e s agai ns t M ar and Albany to a prophecy
s ay s B uch an an t h e
o f s o m e w itche s to w ho m
m o narch w as gre atly addic ted or o f An dre w a
Flem ish ast rologer favo ured by the ki ng w h o
af rm ed th at i n S cotlan d a lio n sho uld be de
T welve m e an wo m en an d
v o ure d by h i s w help s
s eve ral w i zard s acc us e d o f h avi n g e m ployed di a
bo li c arts i n the s ervice o f M ar by ro asti n g the
k i ng i n a w axen effigy w ere burn t at Edin b urg h
s oo n after the m urder o f th at u nh appy pri n ce
About the ye ar 1 480 i f w e m ay yield cre dit to
Boece the w icked s pirits In c ubi an d Succubi (fo r
a c ur i o us acco un t o f w hich s e e S cott s Dis covery
o f Witc hcraft) w ere exceedi n gly tro uble s o m e i n
A ship saili ng o ut o f the F orth to
S cotlan d
w ard s F l an ders i n the m id dl e o f s u m m er w as
as sailed w ith a furio us te m pe s t w hich i n cre as ed
w ith s uch vehe m e n ce th at the m ari n ers as to n i shed
at s o si n gul ar a h urric ane d uri n g the m ilde s t s e a
w he n
s o n o f the ye ar g ave the m s elve su p fo r lo s t
a w o m an w h o h ad t ake n re fug e belo w called to
them to thro w her overboard i n to the se a as the
o n ly m eans o f pres ervi n g their o wn live s co nfe ss
i n g that sh e h ad bee n lo ng h au nted w ith an In
i n w ho s e
ss o f a m an
c ubus w e ari n g the like n e
,

A YO UN G M A N

B E WI T H ED

35

e m brace s sh e w as at th at ve ry m om e n t spe aki ng

Lu ckily fo r all parties th e re ch an ced to be a prie st
i n the s h i p w h o h as te n ed to the poor w o m an s
res c ue ; an d afte r a lo ng adm o n ition follow ed by
m an y s i gh s an d te ars o f the w retched pe n ite n t
there i ss ued for th o f the p u m pe o f the sh ip
s ay s H o lli n s hed
a fo u l an d e v il favo u red bl acke
clou d w i th a m igh t i e t e rri ble n o ise am e sm oke
r e s e n t li e fe ll i n to the se a an d
an d s t i n ke w hich
p
s u dde n li e there u po n the t e m pe s t c e asse d an d the
s id ue o f her
s hip p as s i n g i n gre at
iet
the
re
u
q
o u rn i e
rrived i n s afe t i e a t the pl ace w hith er
a
j
s h e w as bo u n d
N o t lon g b e fore thi s eve n t a yo un g m an n e ar
Abe rdee n re m ark able fo r h i s p e rs o n al attraction s
co m pl ai ned t o the bi sh op o f the dioces e th at he
w as i n fe s ted by a s pi rit i n the sh ape o f a fe m ale
so fai r an d be aut i ful a thi n g th at he n ever saw
the like which w o uld co m e to h i s ch am ber at
n ight an d e n de avo ur to all ure h i m t o her e m
brac e s The bishop w i s ely advi sed h i m to re
m ove i n to an o ther co un try an d addi c t hi m s el f to
fas ti ng an d prayer w h i c h m eas ure h ad the de
s ired e e c t
a thi ng w o n de rful e n o ugh co n sider
the
w
icked
per
s everan c e o f the s e s pi rits as
g
di s ti ng ui shed fo r their un w earied p ursu it o f their
victi m s (vide C azo tt e s Di a ble A m ou r eu cc ) as fo r
their subseq ue n t co ns tan cy Be n oit a w izard o f
Bern e w as b urn t alive at the age o f 7 5 aft er c o n
.

'

36 H IS TOR Y

fe s s i n g

OF

WI TCH CR A F T

IN S

CO TLA N D

that fo r for ty year s he h ad kept up an

am atory co m m erce w ith a S uccub us c alled Her
m eli n e an d M i ran dula m e n tio n s o n e Pi n et a m an
aged 8 0 co n victed o f a like protracted co m m erce
with a s pirit n am ed Flori n a
Abo ut the sam e ti m e als o co n ti n ues Holli n
there w as i n the co un trie o f
shed fro m Boethi us
Mar a yo un g ge n tle w o m an o f e xc e lle nt beauti e
refusi ng
and d aughter u n to a n oble m an there
s un dri e w e alt h i e m ari age s o ffered to her by her
At le n gth s h e p ro o v e d
father an d other frie nd s
w ith child an d bei ng ri go ro us li e co m pelled by her
p aren ts to tell w h o w as the fath er s h e con fessed
that a certai n yo un g m an used n ightly to co m e
un to her an d kept her co m p an ie an d so m eti m es
i n the day al s o b ut h o w or fro m w he n ce he cam e
or by w h at m e ane s he w e n t awai e sh e w as n o t able
to declare H e r pare nts n o t greatli e creditin g
her w ords l aid dil i ge n t watc h to un ders tan d w hat
he w as th at h ad dele d their ho use an d w ithin
three days aft e r u po n s ign icatio n given by o n e
o f their m aide n s th at the for n icator w as at th at
very i n s tan t w ith their daughter i nc o n ti nen tli e
there up o n m aki n g fast the doors they e n ter the
c h am ber w ith a great m anie o f torches and lights
w h ere they n d i n their d aughter s arm es a fo ul
Here
m o n s tro us thi ng v e ri e horrible to behold
a n um ber co m i n g h as t i li e i n to behold this evil
favo ured s ight am o ngs t others there w as a pri es t
,

THE M

ON S TER

AN D TH E

GE N T LE WO M A N

37

veric hon es t life n o t i g noran t (as w as thought)

i n k n o w le dge o f b olie s cript ure
Thi s pries t (all
o t her bei ng afraid
an d s o m e o f the m r u n n i n g
)
their w ai es began to recite the begi n n i ng o f S t
Joh n s Go s pe ll an d co m i ng to the se w ord s Ver
bum c ar o fa c tum es t s udde n li e the w icked s pirit
m akin g a very s ore an d terrible ro ari ng n o is e
ue h i s w ai e s taki n g the roofe o f the ch am ber
a way w ith h i m the h an gi n gs an d coveri ngs o fthe
bed bei ng also b urn t ther e w ith
The gen tle
w o m an w as yet pre s erv ed an d w ithi n three or
fo ur dai e s after w as delivered o f s uch a
m i s hap e n t hin g as the like be fore h ad n o t
bee n e see n e w hich the m id wives an d w o m e n
s uch as w ere pre s e n t at her labo ur to avoid
the dishon ou r o f her ho us e im m ediately b urn t
i n a great re m ade i n the ch am ber fo r the

T
D
s am e i n te n t
S
e
R
o
ss
et
i
s
r
e
u
s
H
es
r
a
t
o
i
(
f
u
es
o r a d i s m al s tory o f a yo un g l ady beloved
i
g g
by a s pirit ) But the m o s t c urio us i n cident o f
thi s n ature w hich I h ave m e t w i th i s qu oted by
N e ar Wite
R ich ard B axter fro m S c ri bo n i u s
berg a m erchan t s w ife that p assed fo r an ho ne s t
w o m an w as u s ed to adnri t o n e pec uliarco n c ubi n e
her
a nd o n ce h e r h usban d bei ng from ho m e
lover cam e to her i n the n ight an d h avi ng ple ased
h is love i n the m orn i n g he aro s e an d sate o n the
top o f the door i n the sh ape o f a m agpye an d
s ai d to her thi s fare w ell
H i ther to thi s hath

of

3 8 H IS T OR Y O F WI TCH C RA F T I N S C O T L A N D

been

s weet-hear t,

thy

an d

van ished w ith the

w ord s
Certai n ty of the Wo r ld of Sp i ri ts p
1 02
I rather t hi nk that th is w as a m an w itch
than a devil adds Baxter but fo r wh at re aso n
unl uckily he doe s n o t say
F or an accoun t o f the apparition w hich ad
m o n i sh ed Jam e s the F o urth previo us to t h e
battle o f F lodde n and o f th e voice he ard i n the
s i le nce
o f n ight at the
Cross o f Edin b urgh
s um m o n i ng the de v oted ho s t to the trib un al o f
Plotcock the reader i s re ferred to the N otes o n
Marm ion but m uch le ss dign ied prodigi es an
In t h e
n o u n c e d th e i s s u e o f t h at fatal co nict
co un cil o f war h eld by Jam es to arrange the
o rder o f battle a h are appe ared and e scaped
through a thousan d arro ws daggers an d other
thin gs ai m ed at her by the sho uti ng as se m bly The
s am e n i ght m ice gn awed as un der the le ather
s trap o f Jam e s s hel m et by w hich it w as u sually
an d at
s us pe n ded from the te s ter o f h i s be d
day break a de wy m oi s ture re s e m bli ng blood ;
appeared to s tai n the i n n er c urtai n s o f the roy al
te nt
The annals o f Jam es the F i fth s reign are
disgraced w ith the executi o n o f Lady Jan e t
D o uglas si ster o f the E arl o f An gus w ido w o f
Joh n Lyon Lord Glam m i s and w i fe o f Archibald
Cam pbell o f Ke p n e i th
Sh e w as acc used to
gether w ith her h usban d her so n the Lord

T HE E ! E

C U TI O N

O F LA D Y GLA M M I S

39

John Lyo n hi s relation an d an o ld

pries t o f h avi ng m editated the death o f J am e s
by poi son or witchcraft w ith the in te ntio n o f
res toring the ho us e o f Angus
The follo w ing
e xtract re s pecti n g her tri al i s take n from an
abridge m e n t o f the C ri m i nal R ecords o f Edi n

b urgh J uly 1 7 1 53 7 Jan eta Douglas Dom i na

de Glam m i s con victed by the ass ize v i z E arl o f
Athole Earl o f B uch an Lord Max w ell Mas ter o f
Gle n c ai rn e Ho m e o f Co ldi nk no w s Ki rkpatrick
o f Kir km ich ael
C rich to n o f Rav e n n i s Ker o f
M ers i ngt o n Earl o f C ass i lli s Lord S e m ple Laird
o f R aith To w er o f In v e rlei t h Barclay o f Mathers
Ed m on sto n o f that ilk M Lellan t utor o f Bo m by
It i s fun din be the
S en ten ti a F o ri sfa c tu r oe
said ass i ze th at Jan et Do ugl as L ady o f Glam i s
h es co mm itted art an d part o f the treas o nable
c o n s pe rat i o n an d m agi n at i o n o f the s laughter an d
destructio n o f o ur s overeign Lord h i s m os t n oble
pers o n by poyson and fo r art an d p art o f th e
treas o nable as sistan ce s upply i n te rcom m uni ng
s o m eti m e Earl o f
and forti fyi n g o f A rch i bald
Angus an d G eorge Do uglas h i s brother rebells
F or the
an d traitors i n a treas o n able m an n er
whilk tre as on able cri m e s the s aid Jan et Lady o f
Gl am is be forfaulted to o ur s overeign Lord her
life lan ds goods m oveable an d i m m ove able and
that sh e sh all be h ad to th e C astle hill o f Edin
burgh and there burn t i n an e re to the dead as
Glam m i s,

4 0 H I S TOR Y

WI T C H C R A F T

OF

IN S

CO TLA N D

F ro m

trai t or ; an d th at I g if fo r doo m
dates it ap pe ars th at this n oble w itch wh o w as
as re m arkable fo r her b eauty an d co urage as fo r
her dis m al fate was h u rried from the bar to the
s take
w here sh e died w ith gre at co m pos ure
a m id the lo ud l am e n tatio ns o f the m ultit ude
In D unbar s poe m called The Dream o f the Ah
bot o f Tungland (an Italian m o un te ban k w h o
c o m po s ed a p air o f w i ngs an d atte m pted to y t o
Fran ce from the walls o f Stirling Cas tle 1 503 7)
m e n tion i s m ade o f a w itch con cern i ng w ho s e
biography the editor is co m pletely i n the
dark

ane

U ndi r Sat urn us fyri e

Sym o n e Magus
An d Me rlyn e

re

i
o
u
n
,
g

ll m eit h i m and Maho un

the m o ne sall bym be bydand

sa

at

A n d J an et the wi do w

O f w i c h is with

an

o n an e

be s o m e rydand

w i n dro us gare s o un

Ki ng Jam e s the Fifth was reported to h ave

s ee n i n dream s
a s hor t ti m e previo us to h i s
death t he ap paritio n s o f t wo pers o ns w h o w ere
s u ppo s ed to h ave lo s t their s o ul s i n h i s s ervice
O f thi s K n ox gi v e s the follo w i ng acco u nt :
Y it did n o t God c e is s to g i f th at bli n di t pri n c e
s o m e do c um e n t i s th at s o m e s uddan e pl ag ue w as
to fall u po un h im i n c ai ss he did n o t repen t h i s
w icked lyi f an d that h i s aw i n m o uthe did c o n
fe s se ; fo r after th at S i r Jam e s Ham ilto un was
,

42 H I S TORY O F

WI TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

have gain ed t he queen s c o ns e nt t o

t h e m urder o f Darn ley thro ugh her w itc hcraft
backed by the pe rs uas io ns o f Bo th well indee d
w hich was Marie really c ons cio us o f th e plot
m ay be j ustly s us pected the s tronger s ti m ulus o f
the twai n Buch anan th us notices t wo osten ta
w hich preceded t h e m urder o f Darn ley
Jac obus Lo ndi nus hom o Fi fanus hon es to loco
n atus c um fe h ri di u labo ras se t
ridi e quam Re x
p
o c c i de re tur ci rca m e ridie m i n le c to se p aullum
e re xi t ac v elu t at t o n i t us m ag na voce o bt es tat us
es t press e nte s ;
U t Re gi o pe m ferre n t : j am e n i m
parricidas e um in vadere De i nde p aullo pos t
Frus tra o pem
c um flebili q u e s t u e xc lam av i t ;
N ec ip se di u pos t
fe re ti s j am t ruc i datus es t
earn v o c em supe rvi xi t Alte r um c um c oede ipsa
Tres e familiaribus c o m i tis
c o nj un c tum fuit
Ath o li m R egis propi n qui hom ine s e t virtute e t
gen ere m inim e o bs c uri no n pro enl a Regis h o s
i
m
d
am no c te m
t
i
i
o
circit
r
e
i
d
v
i
e
e
r
:
i
s
a
t
e
n
t
b
p
do rm i e nt i bus ad Dugallum S tuartum q ui proxi m e
ri e te m ac c ubabat
u
s e s t accedere
q
id
vi
a
u
a
m
s
p
ac m an u leviter per b arbam m alam q ue duc ta
e u m e xc i tare
di c e ns ; S urgi te v i m vobis affe
r un t
Is e xp e rre c tus repe nte c um vi s um s ec um
re v o lv ere t ali us c o nfe s t i m ex alio le c t o ex c lam at ;
E t c um Dugallus re s p o n di s
Qui s m e c alc at
Pelem ess e fortassa q u i (ut t) n o c t u
s et :
o be rrare t
tum terti us q ui n o n dum e xpe rrec tus
was

id

sa

to

TH E

fue rat , stati m

CO UN TESS
lec t o

OF

A T H O LE

43

se c o n ec i t

in

pedes

ro

ns ;
i
t
a
g

Q uis c o laph um sibi i nc uss i sse t : et c um dicto

per osti um vi s us est q ui s pi am egredi ne c s in e
I n t e re a dum illi vi sa e t audita i n ter
s tre p i t u
e c aden t i s fra or au dit us
s e c o n fe r un t do m us R e g ia
om n es c o nste rnav i t
The Co un tess o f Athole too w as an other lady
n
u
n
k
B
a
ch
cc
ed
pr
cti
i
g
the
u
o
f
a
s
b
l
r
t
a
a
c
s
a
m
n atyn e
t h e S ecretary o f K n ox n ote s i n h i s
jo u rnal
O n T uys day the 3 d o f J uli i 1 57 1
An dro Lun die he an d at de n er w ith m y m ais ter
i n a place o f the L ard o f Abbo tsh alls called
F alsyde o p e n lie afr m et fo r t re ut h that w hen
the qu een e w as lyi ng i n i e as i ng o f the ki ng t h e
Ladie A th ole lyi ng th air li kwayi s bayth w ithi n
t h e Cas tle o f Edi n b urgh th at he co m e th air fo r
s u m b us i n e s
an d c alled fo r the Ladie R e i rres
w ho m he fan d i n hir ch al m er lyi n g bed fas t an d
he aski ng hir o f h i r di seas e sche an sw ri t that
s che w as n ever so tro ubled w ith n o b arn e th at
ever sche h ai r fo r the Ladie Athole h ad c ass in
all the pyn e o f her child birth u pon hir
This co un tess w as Margaret d aughter o f M el
col m third Lord Fle m i ng the w idow o f Robe rt
M as ter o f Mon tro se an d o f Thom as Mas ter o f M ar
w he n sh e gave h e r h an d to the Earl o f Athole
The follo w i ng letter addressed To hir s is ter m y
Ladye Livi n gsto n
n o w rs t pri n ted
m ay be
deem ed c urious as the epistle o f a w itch Th e
,

4 4 H I S T OR Y

OF

WI T C H C RA FT

IN SC

l as t w ord s and s ign ature o nly

w ri tin g o f the C o un te s s

O TLA N D

in

are

the hand

SIST ER Efter
fo r

sa

m e kill

as

m ai s t

h arty

ro m e s t

u
o
y

p
S ti rv e lyi ng

c o m m e n dat i o n es ,

to

adv e r te i s

u
o
y

lord s dyet
as I belief he vill n o t gan g o ut o f yi s con t ray
hi
l
m
zo ur h o us ban d
lord
u
l
H
alo w m e s an d
i
f
y
q
g
ze v ilbe verray h artly
a n d ze p les i s to c um
u
an d de syrs m y
lord
v e lc u m
an d m
m
h
o
s
b
y
y
lord an d zo w to t ak ye pai n s yrto Ze vill ap
rdo u n m e y t I v ryt n o t to zo w w ith m y o w n
a
p
h an d fo r ye t o f an e s ic kne s fallen o n m y hed
th at I c an n o t v ryt as ye berar c an scho w zo w
G i f ze m e i t w ith m y s i s ter ye Ladye C al der ze
v i ll excuss m e yt I v ryt n o t to hir and yt scho
n o t hir a uav y t e fo r it ran o u t yt s cho s uld
t
a
q
g
hai f gotte n An d gi f yr be o nye thy ng ze w ald
I did ze vill adv erte i s I praye zo w fai ll n o t to
ath
s en d m e m
m
l
r w ith ye v arkp
b
s
a
a
y
p
zow
t
i
f
u
i
n
t
o r I h ai f m any w ark s beg un byd
p
an d o n it
An d adv e rt e i s m e afo i r zo ur c um i n g
Ze
i n the p ai rt s th at we be n o t awaye n a gai t e
w ill m ak m y h artye co m m en d atio n to m y lord
z o u r h o u sban d w ith als m e i ki ll o f m
lord
to
s
y
z o u r s el f an d hi m h ay t h ; an d God h ai f (ze ) i n h i s
k e pyi n g O f Blair ye 23 d day o f Septe m ber 1 56 0
u
afc n e t an d gu i d s i s ter fo r ever
o
r
y

b
n
u
a
q

we

v ar

in

of

my

MARGRET C O N T I S

OF

AT HO LL

TH E

FA M I L Y

OF M AR

45

In the cas e o f Margaret H utchison a w itch

2ot h A ugus t 1 6 6 1 the i n d ictm e n t am o n g other
thi n gs ch arges th at after her threaten i ngs
Hen ry Bal fou r co n t racted the pai n s o f a w o m an
i n child bed w ith a u n ivers al s w elli n g i n h i s
body w hereo f he died As w i tches w ere able t o
afict w ith di s e as e s s o t hey co u ld tran sfer the m
fro m o n e pe rs on to an other or to fo ur foo t ed
By this trafc
an i m al s s uch as dogs an d c ats
they s om eti m es re alis ed con siderable s u m s In
the S taggeri ng State o f Scots S tates m e n are the
foll o w i n g w o n derfu l a n ecdote s re s pecti ng the
fam ily o f M ark com m e n d ator o f N e w bat tle w h o
w as m as ter o f reque s ts to Ki n g Jam e s the S i xth
fro m 1 57 8 to 1 59 7
He h ad by h i s w ife t h e
Lord Herries s d aughter th irty o n e childre n H i s
lady al w ays kept i n h e r co m pany w i s e w o m en
or w itches an d e s peci ally o n e Margaret N u es
u
h
f
e d hi s
a
I
e
o
ter
d
ghter
the
L
dy
n
n
w
o
s
s
a
)
(
Borth wic k w h o was lo n g after hi s death b urn t
i n Edi n b urgh fo r th at crim e ; an d m y Lady
Lothian s s o n i n law S i r Alexan der Ham ilton
told o n e o f h i s frie nds h o w o n e n ight lyin g i n
Pre s to n gran g e pertain i n g to the s aid abbay o f
N e w bottle he w as p ulled o ut o f hi s bed by
the said w itches an d s ore be ate n ; o f which
inj ury w he n he com plai n ed to h i s m other i n
law an d assured her he w o uld co m plain thereo f
to the coun cil sh e pacied h i m by givi ng h i m
,

4 6 H I S T O R Y O F WI T C H C RA FT I N S CO TLA N D

p urs e full o f gold Th at l ady th e reafte r bei ng

vex e d w i th a can cer i n her breas t i m pl o red
the hel p o f a n o table w arlock by a by n am e
w h o co n de s ce n ded to he al her
c alled Pl ay fair
b u t w ith co n ditio n th at the s o re s h o ul d fall
o n t h e m th at s h e loved be s t ;
w here u n to s h e
agre ei n g did co n v ale s ce
bu t the e arl her h us
ban d fo u n d the bo il i n h i s t hro at o f w hich he
died s hor tly there after ; an d the s aid Play fair
bei ng s oo n apprehen de d w as m ade pri so ner i n
D alk e i th steeple an d h avi ng co n fe s t th at an d
m uc h m o r e w icke dn e s s to Mr Archibald S i m
s o n m i n i s t er there an d th at co n fe ss io n co m i n g
to the e ars o f R obe rt E arl o f Lothian m y
l o rd s s o n he h ad m o ye n to get s o m e pers o n s
ad m i t te d to s pe ak w ith the pri s o n er i n the n ight
by w hich m ean s he w as fo un d w orried i n the
m o rn i n g an d the poi nt o f h i s breeche s k n it
but n ever m ore e n qu iry w as
abo ut h i s n e c k
m ade w h o h ad do n e the deed
I n the lege n d o f A dam s o n e archbishop o f S t
A n d re w s a s currilous p as qu il n o t devoid o f
h um o ur w e h ave a li s t o f the c h arm s us ed by a
w itch i n order to cure the prelate o f a di s e as e fo r
w hich the reg ul ar prac t itio n ers o f m edici ne co uld
di s cover n o re m edy
a

He s e i ng w eill he w ald n o t
F or Phe tan i ssa h es he s e n d
,

m end

KN O!

ES TEE M ED

WIZ A RD

47

With so rc e ri e and i n c an tati o nes

Rai si n g the devil! w ith i n v o c at i o ne s
With h e rbi s stanis bui ki s an d bellis
An d s o uth runn i ng w eili s ;
Pal m e croce s an d kn o tti s o f stre ase
T h e p ari n g o f a pri e st e s auld te es
An d i n p ri n c ip i o so ught o u t sy n e
That under an e alter o f s tan e h ad ly n e
San ct Jho ne s nu tt and the fo ur levit clav er
With t ai ll an d m ayn o f a baxter aver
H ad c are i t h am e heather to the oyn e
C utte d o ff i n the c rui k o f the m oo n e
H al i e w ater an d the lam ber be i di s
Hyn t w o rth e and fo urt i e uther w e i di s :
W h ai rth ro w t h e ch arm ing tuik s i c force
They lai d it o n h i s fatt w hyte hors e
As all m e n saw h e s o n e dece ss it
Thair Saga sle w ane sai kle s beas t
,

In thi s s u perstitious age it w as n ot w o n derful

th at even Joh n Kn ox the great organ o f R eform a
tio n sho uld be e s teem ed a skilful w izard by th e
catholics o f S cotlan d He w as accused o f at
te m pti ng to rais e so m e s an c ti s i n t h e ch urch
yard o f St An dre w s am o ng w hom Satan hi m self
ng a h uge p ai r o f horns o n h i s
s tarted u
h
vi
a
p
head at which terrible s ight K n ox s sec retary
becam e m ad and died M oreover N icol Burne
i n h is Di s p utatio n bitterly i n veigh s agai n s t Joh n
,

4 8 H I S T OR Y

WI TCH CR AFT

OF

IN S C

O TLA N D

havi ng i n h i s old age s ecured

o f Lord O c h ilt re e s d aughter
an e
dam o si l o f n o bil bl ude an d he an e auld decrepi t
c reat ur o f m ai st b ais degree o f o n ie th at co uld be
fo un d i n the c o u n trey
Certain ly s uch sus picion s
o f philtre s an d g lam o u r are al m o s t w arran table
w he n it i s con sidered th at K n ox w as the au thor
The F irs t Blas t o f t h e Trum pet agai nst the
of
i n which he
m on s tro u s R egi m e n t o f Wom e n
m ost u n gallan tly af rm s t h at n ature do th p ai n t
them forth to be weak frail u n p at ie n t feeble and
fooli sh ; an d experie nce h ath declared the m to be
un co n stan t v ari able cr uel an d void o f the s piri t
F or thes e n otable faults
o f co un s el and regi m e n t
w hich i n all age s h ave been e s pied i n the m m e n
h ave n o t on ly rem oved the m fro m r ule an d
au thori ty bu t al s o s o m e h ave tho ught th at m en
orcerer
the affections

as

a s

fo r

s u b ec t

to the

c o u n s el an d em pi r e o

i
c
e

a ll p u bli c o

thei r wi ves ,

thi
m
a
n
y
s
f
ladies o f h i s day w o uld h ave exclai m ed w ith Si r
D avid Lin dsay s Abbasse

wer e

u n wo r thy o

At

Ho w dar

tho u carle pre s um e fo r till declair

O r fo r to m ell thee w ith s e h e i c h m ater ?
I dar w eill say tho u art c o n de m pn i t i n h ell
That dois presum e w ith si c m at eris to m elle
Fal s h ure so n carle thou art over arrogan t
,

But t h e

d aughter o f Lord O chiltree co uld ove r

look such m at ri m on ial heresy nay ev en the
,

5 0 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI T C H CRAF T

IN S C

O TL A N D

f
there
ter
i
f
e
to
Dr
Ho
n
ey
m
n
w
hich
he
a
f
w
a
o
(
)
F or the to i e s w hich are said to procure
died
love as Regi nald Scott te rm s them con sult h i s
Discovery o f W itchc raft b 6 c 7
At the sam e period w itche s aboun ded i n all
p arts o f Scotl an d Kn ox p art icularly m e ntion s
the C o unte ss o f Hun tley as a p atron ess o f thes e
h ags Givi ng an acco un t o f the skir m is h o f
C o rri c h i e i n w hich her h us ban d died fro m fatig ue
he says
The erle i m m ediately after hi s taik
i n g dep ai rte d thi s lyi f w itho ut o ny w o un d o r
ro f de ath
i
i
t
a
i
r
i
k
u
h
a
f
n
t
r
a
e
a
n
c
e
o
s
c
o
y
pp
q
y
m yc h t h ave e n se w ed ; an d s o be c aus it w as lait
h e was c ast over athort a p air o f c re i lles an d s o
was caried to Abe rde n e an d w as layd i n the
T o lboyth t h are o f th at the re s pon s q uh i lk h i s
w yi f s w itche s h ad gevi n m yc h t be fullled q uh a
all ai rm e d (as the m o s t p ai rt s a ) th at th at s am e
y
n y c h t s o uld he be i n the T o lbo t h o f Aberde n e
y
w itho ut o ny w ou n d u po n h i s body
u
h
i
e
n
h
s
Q
l ady gat k n o wledge th ei ro f s che blai m i t hir pri n
c i pall w itch
bot sche s toutly
c alled Jo n et ;
de fe n di t h i rself (as the de v ill c an e vi r do ) an d
af
rm ed th at s che gave a tre w ans wer albeit
s che s p ack n o t all the t re uth fo r s che k n e w th at
he s ould be th are dead ; bot th at c uld n o t prot
m y lady sche was an gry and s orry fo r a s eas on ;
bot the dc vill the m ess an d w itches have als
h
1
f
u
n ii
ritt
credit
f
hir
th
i
s da
t
2
t
h
o
J
o
e
g
y
.

TH E E A

RL OF

H UN

TL Y

51

they h ad s evi n ye i rs ago

Th e so n o f
thi s Lo rd H un tly George the fth earl d ied
s udden ly i n a co n v ul s io n t as it w o u ld appear
atte n ded w ith s everal uncom m o n sy m pto m s
A
very cu rio us acco un t o f h i s death h as bee n prin ted
by Mr Dalye ll at the e n d o f Ban natyn e s Jo urn al
S everal o f h i s follo w ers the n arrator afrm s
w ere s eized w ith a di s order re se m bli ng th at o f
the earl w hose corp se bein g rem oved to the
c h apel be fore i n h um atio n the ch am ber i n w hich
it w as e m bal m ed w as h aunted w ith an e greit
n oys an d di n ;
w hidder it w as o f s peiche o f
ni n
m
n g I c an n o t tell
r
a
or
r
bli
u
g y
g
In the jo urn al prexed to thi s n arrative there
i s m e n tio n o f a very n otable w itch b ur nt at S t
An dre ws i n the ye ar 1 57 2 w h o declared ope n ly
that sh e cared n o t w hether sh e w e nt to heave n
or hell A w hite cloth like a c ollo re craig w i t h
s tri n i s w h ai ro n w as m o n y kn o t t i s
bei
g
t
ke
n
a
n
g
fro m abo ut her pers o n sh e i m m ediately gave w ay
to des pair exclaim in g N o w I have n o h o i p o f
m ys elf
In the Hi s torie o f Ki ng Jam es the
S ext the rege n t o f Scotland i s s aid to h ave
repaired to St An dre w s (May
qubai r a
n o tabi ll so rc eres
c alli t N i c n i v e n
(this n am e
gen erally given to the Q uee n o f the Fairies was
probably be stow ed upon her o n accoun t o f h er
c ri m es ) w as c o n dem m i t to th e de ath an d b urn t
This I sus pect t o be the w itch above m en tion ed
1 56 6 ,

as

52 H I S T OR Y O F WI T CH CRA FT I N S CO TLA N D

tho ugh the date s di sagree The auth or o f th e

his torie adds a F re n ch m an c alli t Paris quba
w as an e o f the des i g n e ris o f the kin g s death w as
h an gi t i n S t An dro and w ith h i m William
S te w ard lyo un kin g o f arm e s fo r divers poi nte s
o f w itchcraft an d n e c ro m an c i e
I n the ye ar 1 58 8 Alis o n Pe ars on i n Byre hills
F ife shire w as co n vi cted o f practis i n g s orcery
'
an d o f i n voki ng the fo ul e n d
s h e ack n o wl edged
that sh e h ad been i nti m ate w ith the Q ueen o f
Elan d fo r m an y years an d that s h e h ad m an y
frie n d s o f h e r o w n ki n i n the Co u rt o f Fairy
Her extravagant confe ss io n m ay be fo un d i n the
T wo ye ars
Border Mi n s trelsy vol ii p 21 3
after w ard s
C ath arin e Ro ss Lady F o w lli s w as
e n dited at the i n stan ce o f the ki ng s advocate
an d Hector M un ro o f F o ulli s her o w n so n i n law
fo r w itchcraft
The rst art icle o f accusatio n
the m akin g o f t wo clay
u rged agai n s t her i s
picture s o n e fo r the de struction o f the young
Lady Balnago wan an d gettin g them e nch an te d
an d shooti n g o f e lf arro w head s at the s aid s
pers on s ; second fo r m aki ng a sto upfull o f
pois o ned aill for perform an ce o f yo ur de v i llish
m alice w here w ith ye killed s un dry ; third s e nd
f
i
u
l
l
o
poy
s
o
n
to
the
ho
u
e
here
yo
u
n
f
n
s
w
a
i g pg
g
F o ullis w as the carrier w hereof fallin g an d with
the fall breaking the pig an d s eeing the liquor
tas ted it an d dyed i m m ediately ; an d t h e
.

IM A

gras s e

GES

WI T CH CRAFT

AN D

w hich

53

gro ws w here it fell n o beas t w ill

e at o f it; fo ur th fo r s ayi n g th at
o
ld
e
w
u
u
s
l
l
e
a
y
m ean s th at m ay be h ad o f Go d i n h eave n or the
de vill i n hell fo r de s troyi ng M arjory C am pbell
the L ady Baln ago w an th at the laird m ight m arry
the lady F o ulli s ; als o hi nderi ng a com m i ss io n
th at w as gran ted fo r tryall o f w i tches an d pro
c u ri n g a s us pe n s io n thereof w hich
i f tho u h ad
bee n an e hon est w o m an tho u w ould n ever h ave

A bbr e vi a te of the J usti c i ar y R ec o r d

don e
It
appe ars th at the L ady o f F o ulli s together w ith
C hris tian R oss and other w itche s h ad m ade t w o
c l ay i m age s o n e repre s e n ti n g R obert M u n ro the n
ar o f F o ulli s the o ther M arj ory Cam pbe ll s po us e
to Ross yo unger o fBalnago w an but thes e g ure s
chan ci n g to break o n e o f the w itches un dertook
to co m pos e t w o m ore
at Lady F o ulli s s de s ire
This C hri s tian
w hich accordin gly w as do n e
R os s w h o w as b ur nt fo r the cri m e at C h ann e ri e
con fess ed her g uilt be fore Urqu hart o f C rom arty
An d Wi lliam M ac gilli
an d Irvi n e o f Ky nn o c k
m on d an a w ar loc k w h o al s o s uffered de ath fo r
the sam e practices co n fes sed the acts o f pois o n
p artic ularly an at tem pt to de stroy the chief of the
The s e bags and w i zard s s o m e
n am e o f M u n ro
ti m es com po sed their e n ch an ted gure s o f bu tter
L ady F o ulli s was acqu itted as w as als o her h us
ban d Hector Mun ro o fF o ulli s acc used o f co nsult
i n g o f w itc hes i n order t o c ure hi s brother o f s ick
,

54 H IS T OR Y O F WI TC H C RAF T I N S CO TLA N D

e e an d to c ure hi m s el f an d that the sai d

w itche s cam e to hi m an d pract is ed their de v illi sh
ch arm s particularly th at o n e o f the m d ug a grave
o n the con n e s o f l an d s belo n gi ng to t w o di ffere n t
s u periors i n w hich they l aid h i m an d after u s i n g
s everal de v illi s h ch arm s took h i m u
w
by
hich
p
m e ans he w as recovered an d the di s eas e laid u po n
George Mun ro s o n to Kathari n e Ro ss Lady
F o w le s o f w hich he dyed
T h e n ext re m arkable tri al fo r w itchcraft i n th e
Jus t i c i ary Record (1 59 0) i s th at o f Be ssy Roy
s ervan t to the Laird o f Bo uh an e wh o am o n g
q
other m agical perform an ces on ce i n the eld i n
the pre s e nce o f s un dry other servants dre w a
com p as m ade a hole i n t h e m ids t o f it ; then by
her co nj uratio ns cam e fo rth a great w orm e an d
crap over the circle ; the n a sm all o n e and als o
crap over ; then a gre at o n e w hich s an k again
in to t h e hole w hich e n c h an t m e nt sh e i n te rprete d
th us to the m The rst great w orm i s the good
m an th at he s hall live lo n g ; the s econ d i s a barn e
i n the ladye s wo m b (w here as n obody kn ew sh e
ith barn e ) an d th at the barn e should live
w as w
the l as t great worm e w as the go o dwyfe th at sho uld
di e o f the birth ; all w hich c am e to p ass as sh e
s aid
n ss

D O O T OR

FI A N

A ND H I S

A SS OCI A m s

55

C HAPTE R III

AD

1 59 1

The F amous Doc tor F i am

to

and

Do c tor F i an
r
i
a
L
T
an d
P u t

R ec ap twre

AD
.

A sso c ia tes
Co nfes i on t

his

Thei r Do i ng s
Esc ap e

Bum ed on

to te Tor ture

an d

the Cas tle

Hill

bout this ti m e a w on derful con spiracy o f

Satan s agen ts w as dis covered n e ar to Edi nb urgh
the circum s tan ces o f which are give n i n a very
N e w es
s carce bl ack letter pam phlet e n titled
from S cotlan d declari ng the d am n able Li fe o f
Doc tor Fi an a n otable Sorcerer w h o was burn ed
1 59 1 ; w hich
at E de n bro ugh i n Jan uari e l as t
Doctor w as Regi ster to the Devil! th at s un dri e
tim es Preached at N orth Bari c ke Kirke to a
With the tru e
num ber o f n oto rious Witches
Exam in ation s o f t h e said Doctor an d Witches
as they uttered the m i n the pre s e n ce o f the Scot
tish Ki ng ; discoveri ng h o w they prete nded to
Be witch and Dro wn e h i s Maj e st i e i n the sea
co min g fro m De nm arke w ith s uch other w o n der
ful M at t ers as the like h ath n o t bi n he ard at an ie
ti m e P ublished accordi ng to the S cottis h C opie
After an address
Pri n ted fo r William Wright
to the reader i n which the p am phle teer observes
that he was pri ncip ally i n d uced to pri n t a n arra

BUT

5 6 H IS TO R Y O F

WI T C H CR A FT

IN S C

O TLA N D

t ive o f these w o nders fo r th at s undr i e w ritte n

coppies are l ately dispe rs ed thereof con tai ni n g
that the said w itches were rs t dis covered by
m e an s o f a poore pedlar travelli n g i n the to wn o f
Trane n t an d th at by a w o n de rfull m ann er hee
w as i n a m o m e n t c o nv aye d at m idn ig ht from
S cotlan d t o Burde ux i n F ran ce (bei ng place s o f
n o s m all di s tan ce ) i n to a m e rc h an te s s ellar there
n ote 1 ) an d after bei n g s e n t fro m
ppe
dix
A
n
s
e
e
(
Burde ux i n to S cotlan d by certai n S cottis h m e r
chan ts to the ki n g s m aj es t i e that he discovered
thos e w itches an d w as the caus e o f their ap p re
h en s i o n w ith a n um ber o f m at te rs m irac ulo us
an d i n credible all w hich i n tru th are m os t fal s e
he m ake s s o m e observation s o n the m erci ful i n
t e rp o s i t i o n o f Provide n ce w ith regard t o the
w icked de s ign s o f the s orcerers an d w itches an d
the n proceeds to s tate that w ithi n the town o f
T re n e n t i n the ki n gdo m e o f Scotlan d there
d w elleth o n e D avid Seato n wh o bein g de p uti e
bai li e i n the said to w n e h ad a m aide called
Ge illi s Dun c an e w h o us ed se c re t li e to ab s en t an d
lie forth o f her m ai s ter s ho us e every other n i ght
Thi s Ge i llis Dun c an e tooke i n han d to helpe all
s uch as w ere tro ubled or grieve d w ith an ie ki n d
o f s ick n e s s or i n rm i t i e an d i n s hort s p ace did
rfo u rm e m any m atters m o s t m irac ulo us
e
hich
w
p
;
thin gs fo r as m uc h as sh e began to do them u pon
a s od ai n e h avi n g n ever do n e the like before
,

'

'

58

H IS T O R Y

OF

WI T CH CR A FT

IN S C

O TLA N D

i m m ediately s h e acc us ed the s e pers o ns follo wi ng

to bee n otorio us w itche s an d caused the m forth
w ith to be ap p rehe n ded o n e after an o ther v i z
Agn e s Sam p son the eldest witch o f the m all
d w elling i n Hadd i ngto n ; Ag ne s To m p s on o f
Edi n bro ugh ; Doctor F ian a li as Joh n C un nin g
h am m as ter o f the s choole at Saltpan s i n Lo w
thi an o f w hose life and s trange acts yo u sh al
heare m ore largely i n the e n d o f thi s dis co urs e
Th e s e w ere by the saide Ge illi s Dunc ane acc us ed
e d w elli ng i n Lo w th i an ;
as al s o George M ott s w i f
Robert Griers o n skipper; an d Je n n et Blan dilan ds
w ith the potter s w ife o f Se ato n ; the s m ith at the
Bri gge Halli s w i t h i n n u m erable others i n t hos e
p arts an d d welli ng i n thos e boun ds aforesaid
o f w ho m s o m e are alre adi e exec u ted ; the re s t
re m ai n e i n pri s o n to receive the do o m e o f j udge
m e n t at the ki n g s m aje stie s w ill an d ple as ure
The said Ge illi s Dun c an e al s o caus ed Ew
ph am e M e c alrean to bee apprehe nded w h o c o n
s pired an d perform ed the de ath o f her god father
an d w h o us ed her art upo n a ge n tle m an bei n g o n e
o f the lordes an d j us tice s o f the s e ss io n for h ear
S h e als o cau sed
i n g good w ill to her daughter
to be apprehe n ded o n e B arbara N ape r fo r be
w i t c h i n ge to de ath Arc h ibalde the las t E arle o f
An gus w h o languished to de ath by w itchcraft
an d yet the s am e w as n o t s us pected but th at hee
died o f so s traunge a dis eas e as the p h is i tio n
,

DR

FI A N

AN D H I S

A SS O CI A TES

59

how

to cure or re m edie the sam e

But o f all other th e s aide w i t che s the s e t wo las t
before recited w ere reputed fo r as civil! hon e st
wom e n as an ie th at d w elled withi n the c i t ti e o f
Ede nbro ugh be fore they w ere apprehe n ded
Man y other bes ides w ere take n d w elli n g i n
Leith w h o are detayn e d i n prison un till h i s
m aje stie s further w ill an d ple as ure be k n o wn e
o u s h all p artic u l arly
o f w ho s e w icked do o i ngs y
heare w hich w as as follo weth :
Thi s afo resai de Agn is S am ps on w hich w as
the elder w itch w as take n an d brought to Hali
ri u d Ho us e before the ki ng s m a e st i e an d s un dry
j
other o f the n o bi li ti e o f Scotlan d w here sh e w as
s t rayt ly e xam i n ed but all the p e rs was i o n s w hich
the ki ng s m aj es ti e used to hir w ith the re st o f
h i s c o un c ell m ight n o t provoke or i nd u ce her to
co nfess e any thi ng bu t s t o o de s ti ffe ly i n the
den i all o f all th at w as layde to her ch arge ; w here
upon they cau s ed her to bee con veyed aw ay un to
pri son there to receive such torture as h ath bee n e
late ly provided fo r w itc he s i n th at co un try
I tem The sayde Agn is S am ps on was aft er
brought agai n e be fore the ki n g s m aj e st i e an d h i s
c o un c ell an d bei n g e xam i n ed o f the m ee t i ngs an d
dete stable deali ngs o f tho se w itches shee co nfes s e d
th at upo n the n ight o f Allh o llo n Eve n shee w as
accom pan ie d as w ell w ith the pers o n s afo re sai de
as al s o with a gre at m an y other w itche s to t h e
kn e we

no t

6 O H I S TOR Y

OF

WI T CH CRA FT

IN S

CO TLA N D

ber o f t wo hundreth an d that all they

to gether w en t to se a each o ne i n a riddle or cive
and w e n t i n the sam e very s ubs tan tially w ith
aggo n s o f w i n e m akin g m errie an d dri n kin g
by the way i n th e sam e riddles or civ es to the
kirke o f N orth Barrick i n Lo wthi an an d th at
afte r they h ad lan ded tooke b an de s o n the l an de
an d dau nc e d this reill or s hort daun c e s i n gi ng
all w ith o n e voice
n um

C o m m er

goe ye before com m er goe ye ;

Gi f ye w ill n o t goe before co m m er let m e
,

tim e shee con fe ssed th at this Ge illi s

Dun c an e did goe be fore them playing thi s reill or
dau nc e up po n a s m all t ru m p e c alled a J e w e s
trum p u ntill they en tered i n to the Kerk o f N orth
Barrick
Thes e co nfe ssio n s m ade the king i n a w onder
full ad m iration an d s e n t fo r the saide Ge i lli s Dun
did play the
c an e w h o
u pon the like tr um p
s ai de dau n c e before the ki n ge s m aje sti c w h o i n
res pect o f the st range n e s o f the s e m atters tooke
great deligh t to be pre s en t at their exam i nation s
I tem the said Agn i s S am ps on c on fe s sed t h at the
divell bei n g the n at N orth Bar rick Kerke at
te ndi ng their c o mm i ng i n the h abit or li ken esse
o f a m an an d s eei ng th at t hey tarried over lo n g
hee at their c o m m i n g e nj o yn ed the m all to a
n n an c e w hich w as th at they sho u ld kis se h i s
e
p
At

w hich

DR

FI A N

A N D H I S A SS O CA I TES

61

ign o f due ty to h i m w hich bei ng

over
the
p
u
lpit
b
are every o n e did as he h ad
u
t
p
e nj o yn e d the m ; an d h avi n g m ade h i s u ngodly
exhortations w herein he did gre atly i n v eigh
agai n s t the Ki ng o f S cotl an d he received thei r
oathes fo r their good an d true service to wards
hi m an d dep arted ; w hich do n e they retur ned t o
s e a an d s o hom e a ai n e
g
At w hich ti m e the w itches de m an ded o f the
divell Why he did beare s uch hatred to the ki ng
w h o an s w ered by reas o n the ki n g i s the g reates t
All w hich thei r
e n e m i e hee h ath i n the w orld
c o n fe s s ion s an d depo sitio n s are s till ext an t u po n
record
I tem The saide Agn es Sam p s o n con fessed be
fore the ki ng s m aje s ti c s un dri e t h i nge s w hich
w ere so m i rac ulo us an d s tran ge as th at h i s m a
jestis saide they w ere all e xtream e lyars ; w hereat
s hee auns we re d sh e w o u ld n o t w is h h i s m a e s t i e
j
to suppose her w orde s to be fals e bu t rath er t o
beleve them i n th at sh e w ou ld discover s uch
m att er unto h i m as h i s m aj es ti e sho uld no t any
way do ubt o f
An d thereu po n taki n g h i s m aj es ti e a li ttle
as ide s hee declared un to h i m the v e ri e w orde s
w hich pass ed bet we ene the ki nge s m aj esti e an d
hi s qu ee n e at U p slo i n N or way the rst ni ght o f
m ari age w ith their ans w e re e c h to other ; w h e rat
the ki n ges m ajestic w o ndered greatly and s wo re

b ut t o c kes, i n

62

OR Y OF

H IS T

WI TCH CRA FT

IN S

CO TLA N D

by the livi ng God th at h e believed that all the

devil s i n hell co uld n o t h ave di s cove red the sam e
a ckn o w le dg i n g her w ord s t o be m os t tr ue an d
therefore gav e the m ore credit to the re st th at i s
be fore declared
To uching thi s Agn is Sam p son sh e i s th e only
w o m an w h o by the di v e l s p e rs was i o n s ho uld
h ave i n te nded and p ut i n exec utio n the ki nge s
m ajes tie s de ath i n thi s m an n er
Shee con fess ed th at shee tooke a blacke t o ade
an d di d h an g the s am e u p by the h e eles three
dai e s an d collected an d gathered the ve n om as it
dropped an d fell from it i n an o i s tc r shell an d
kept the sam e v e n o m e close covered un til sh e
c e c c o f fo u le li n n e n
s ho uld o bt ai n e an ie parte or
p
c loth th at h ad appertai n ed to the ki n g s m aje s ti c
a s shirt h an dkercher n apkin or a ny other thi n g
w hich shee practi s ed to o bt ai n e by m e an e s o fo n e
J oh n Kers w h o bei n g atte n d an t i n h i s m ajes ti e s
c h am ber de s ired h i m fo r olde ac q uai n tau n c e be
t w ee n e the m to helpe her to o n e or a peece o f
s u ch a cloth as i s afo re sai de w h i ch thi n g the s aid
J oh n Kers dc n yc d to help her to sayi ng hee
c o uld n o t help her un to it
An d the s aide Agn i s Sam p son by her depos i
tion s since her apprehe nsion saith that i f shee
h ad obtain ed an y o n e peece o f linn e n cloth w hich
t h e ki n g h ad w o rn c an d fo w led sh e h ad be witched
h i m to de ath and p ut h i m to suc h extraordinary
,

FI A N

A N D H I S A SS

O CI A TES

63

p ai nes as i f he h ad been lyin g upo n sh arp thorn s

an d e n de s o f n eedle s
Moreover sh e co n fe ssed th at at the ti m e w he n
h i s m ajes ti c w as i n De n m arke shee bei n g aeco m
an i e d w ith th e p artie s before s peci ally n am e d
p
tooke a c at an d chris te n ed it an d afterw ard bo un d
to each p art o f that c at the c h e efe st parte o f a
dead m an and sc v e rall j o yn t e s o f h i s bod i e ; an d
th at i n t h e n ight follo w in g the s ai d c at w as c o n
v a e d i n to t h e m i dde s t o f the se a by all th e s e
y
w itche s s ayli ng i n their rid dle s or cive s as i s
afore s aid an d s o le ft the s ai de c at right be fore the
to wn e o f Leith i n Scotl an d ; this doo ne there
di d ari s e s u ch a te m pe s t i n the se a as a gre ater
hath n o t bc n e s c e n e w hich te m pe s t w as th e cause
o f the peri shi n g o f a b o at or ve s s ell c o m m i n
over
g
fro m the to wn e o f Brun t Islan d to the tow n e o f
Leith w h erei n w as s un dr i e je well e s an d rich
gifte s w hich sho uld h ave been e p re se n te d to t h e
n e w qu ee n e o f S cotlan d at her m aj e s tie s co m i n g
to Leith
Agai n e it i s co n fe ss ed th at the sai d chri s te n ed
w as the caus e th at the ki n ges m aje s tie s
c at
sh i pp c at h i s c o m m i ng forth o f De n m ark e h ad a
con trarie w in de to the re st o f h i s sh i pp es then
bei ng i n h i s co m pan ie w hich thi ng w as m o st
s traun ge an d tru e as the ki n es m aje sti c ack n o w
g
le dgc th ; fo r w he n the res t o f the sh i p p e s h ad a
faire an d good w i n de the n w as th e w i n de co n tra
.

6 4 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI T C H CR A FT

I N S CO

TL A N D

rie an d al tog ethe r agai n s t h i s m aje stic A nd

fur ther the sayde w itch decl ared th at h i s m a
es t ic h ad n ever co m e s afely fro m the se a i f h i s
j
faith h ad n o t p rev ayle d above their i n te n tion s
As to uchi n g the afo re s aide Doc tor F i an a li as
Joh n C un n i ngh am the ex am i natio n o f h is ac tes
h i s apprehe n s io n decl areth the g re at
s i n ce
a n d there fore m aketh
s ub t e lt i e o f the divell
t h i ngc s to app e are t h e m ore mi rac ulo us ; fo r b e
i n g apprehen ded by the acc usatio n o f t h e s aide
Ge illi s Dun c an e afore s aid w h o co n fe ss ed he w as
their regester an d th at there w as n o t o n e m an
s uffered to co m e to the di vc l s re adi n g e s bu t
T h e said doc tor w as take n an d i m
o n e li e h ee
pris on ed an d us ed w ith the acc us to m ed p ai n e
provided fo r tho se offe n ces i nicted u po n th e
res t as i s afores aid
Firs t by thraw i n g o f h i s head w ith a rope
w hereat he w o ul d con fess e n othi n g
Secon dly h e w as pers waded by faire m ean es
to confe sse h i s follies bu t th at w ould p re vaile as
lit tle
Las tly h c e w as p ut to the m ost s evere an d
cru ell pain e i n the w orld called the bootes wh o
after he h ad received three s troke s bei ng i n q uire d
if he w o uld con fe ss e h i s dam n able acte s an d
w icked life h i s t oo ng w o uld n o t s erve h i m to
i n re s pect w hereo f the re s t o f t h e
s peake ;
w i tche s w i ll ed to s earch h i s toong un der w hich
.

6 6 H IS TOR Y

OF

WI T CH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

cham ber s udde nly hee gave a gre at scritch an d

fell i n to m adne ss c s o m eti m e s be n di n g hi m s elfe
an d s o m eti m e c ap ri n g s o directly u p th at h i s
heade di d tou ch the s ee li n g o f th e ch am ber to
the great ad m iratio n o f h i s m aje sti c and others
the n pres en t s o th at all t h e ge n tlem e n i n the
ch am ber w ere n o t able to hold hi m un til they
called i n m ore hel pe w h o together bo un d hi m
h an d and foot ; and s uffering the saide ge ntle m an
to lie s till u n till h i s fu rie w ere p as t he w ithi n
w he n bein g
an how er c am e agai n e to h i m se lfe
de m aun de d o f the ki ng s m aje s ti c w h at he saw
or did all th at w hile ? answ ered Th at he h ad
bee n i n a so un d slee p c
I tem Th e s aid Doctor did al so con fe sse that
hee h ad us ed m eans s un dry ti m es to o btai ne h i s
p urpose an d w icked i nten t o f the sam e ge n tle
w o m an an d s eei ng hi m s elfs d i sappoi n ted o f h i s
i n te n tion b e determ i ned by all w aye s hee m ight
to o btai ne the sam e trus tin g by c o nj uri ng
w itchcraft an d s o rc e ri e to o btai n e it i n thi s
m ann er
The author proceeds to state that the Doctor
e m ployed o n e o f h i s s ch ol ars a brother o f the
youn g lady to procure three o f her h airs by
w h ich he m ight be w itch her to h i s w icked p u r
pos es givi ng th e boy a pi e c e o f conj ured paper
w herei n to deposit them ; but som e s us pici o us
c irc um s tan ce s al arm ed the m other
by re ason
,

D O CTO R

FI A N

67

he rself and w as very in qui s i

tive o f th e boy to u n derstan d h i s i nten t an d the
be tter to k no w th e sam e did beate h i m w ith
s un dri e s tripe s w hereby he di s covered the tru th
The m other therefore being w ell
un to her
practised i n w itchcraft did thi n ks i t m os t c o n
v e n i e n t to m e e t e w ith the Doctor i n h i s o w ne
arte an d there u pon took t h e p aper fro m t h e boy
w herei n hee s ho uld h ave p u t t h e sam e h aire s
h
a
an d w e n t to a
n
r
w
h
n
d
o
g
h
f
hic
ever
u
e
e
y
y
borne calfe an d w i t h a p aire o f s h eerc s clipped
f three h aires fro m the u dder o f th e c o w an d
of
w rapt the m i n the s am e p aper w hich shee agai n e
delivered to the boy the n w illi n g hi m to give the
sam e to h i s s aid m ai ster w hich he i m m edi ately
did
The s c h o o lm ai s te r so soon e as he h ad received
th e m thinki ng the m in deed to be the m aid s
haires w en t s traight and w ro ught hi s arte u pon
the m ; b ut the Doc to r h ad n o soon er doon e h i s
i nten t to them but pre se ntly the h eyfe r c o w
w hos e h aires t h ey w ere i n dee de c am e u n to t h e
doore o f the ch urch wherei n t h e s c h o o le m ai s te r
w as i n to the w hich th e h e yfe r w e n t an d m ade
to w ards th e sc h o o lc m ai st er leapin g and daunc i ng
upon h i m an d follo w i n g h i m forth o f th e c h urc h
an d to w h at pl ace s oever he w e n t to the gre at
ad m iratio n o f all the t o wn es m e n o f Saltp an s an d
m an y other w h o did beh o lde the sam e
she

was

w itc h

A S S OCI A TES

A N D H IS

of

68 H I S T OR Y

WI T CH CRAFT

OF

IN S

CO TLA N D

The report w hereof m ade all m en i m agi n e

that h e did w orkc it by the divell w itho ut
w h o m e it co uld n ever h ave bee n e so sui c i e nt ly
e ffected ; and there upon the nam e o f the said
D o ctor F ian (wh o w as but a very yoong m an)
began to gro we so co m m on am o ng the people o f
Scotl and th at he w as s ecre tly n o m i nated fo r a
n otable conj urer
All w hich although i n the begi n ni ng he
de n ied and w o uld n o t con fess e yet h avi ng felt
the p ain of the boote s (an d the charm e stinted
as afo res ayd) he co n fe ss ed all the aforesaid to be
m o s t true w itho u t prod ucin g an ie witn e s se s to
n d t h e r u o n be fore the ki n g s
u
m
a
t
i

the
s
a
e
s
e
j
p
m aje sty b e s ubscribe d the s ayd co n fe ssion s w ith
h i s o wn e h an de w hich fo r tr uth rem ain eth u pon
record i n S cotl and
After th at th e deposition s an d ex am i natio ns
o f the s ayd Doctor F i an a li as C un in gh am
w as
take n as al re ady i s declared w ith h is o wn han d
w illingly s e t there un to hee was by the m as te r o f
the prison com m itte d to w ard an d appoi n ted to
by him self w here forsaki ng h i s
a ch am ber
w icked waye s ack n o w ledgi n g hi s m os t u ngo dly
lyfe she w i n g that he h ad too m uch fo lo w e d the
allure m e n ts an d e n t i s em en ts
o f Sath an
an d
fon dly practi s ed h i s con cl us ions by conj u ring
w itchcraft i nc h an t m e n t s o rc e ri e and su ch like
hee re nounced the dc vill and all his w icked

D O CT O R

FI A N

A S S OCI A TES

AN D H I S

69

vo w ed to le ade the li fe o f a Chri stian

an d s ee m ed n ew ly co n verted to ward s God
The m orrow after u pon con feren ce h ad w ith
hi m b e granted tha t the dc v i ll h ad appe ared un to
h i m i n the n ight before app areled all i n blacke
w ith a w hite wan d i n hi s h an de an d th at t h e
dc v i ll de m an ded o f hi m i f hee w o uld con ti n ue
h i s faith full s ervice accordi n g t o h i s rs t oath
an d pro m is e m ade to th at e ffect w h o m e (as h e e
then said) b e u tte rly re n o un ced to h i s face and
i n thi s m an n er
Av o i de Satan
s aid u n to h i m
av o i de fo r I h ave li s te n ed too m uch u n to t hee
an d by the s am e tho u h as t u n do n e m e i n re s pect
To whom the
w hereof I u tterly forsake thee
That o nce ere th ou die thou
dc v i ll an s w ered
sh alt be m i n e ; an d w ith th at (as he sayd ) the
dc v ill brake the w hite w an d an d i m m edi ately
van ished fo o rth o f h i s s ight
Thus all the d aie this Doctor Fian co nti n u ed
veri c solitarie an d s eem ed to h ave a care o f h i s
o w n e s o ule an d w o uld call u p po n God she w i n g
h i m s elfe pe n it e n t fo r hi s w icked life ; ne v e rth e
lesse th e sam e n ight hee foun d such m ean es that
hee stole the key o f the prison doore an d ch am
ber i n the w hich he w as w hich i n the n ight h ee
to the Saltpans where
O pe n ed an d e d aw ai e
hee was alwaye s resi den t and rs t apprehen ded
whe n th e k i n g s
o f w hos e s od ai n e depar ture
m aje s tic h ad i n tellige n ce hee pre s e ntly c o m
w o rkc s,

7 O H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

IN SC

O TL A N D

m an de d di lige n t i n q ui ri e to bee m ade fo r h i s

appre h e n s io n ; an d fo r t h e better e ffecti n g thereof,

hee se n t p ubli c k e proclam ation s in to all parte s o f

h i s lan de to t h e sam e effect by m e an e s o f w hos e
hot an d h arde p u rs ui te he w as agayn taken an d
brought to pri s o n an d th e n bein g called before
the ki n g s h i gh n e s he w as re exam i ned as w ell
tou chi ng hi s departure as als o touchin g all th at
h ad be fore h appe n ed
But t hi s Doctor n otw ith stan di n g th at h i s
o w n e co n fe s s i o n appe areth re m ai n i n g i n recorde
u n der h i s o wn e h an de w riti n g an d the s am e
t here un to xed i n the pre s e n ce o f th e kin g s
m aje s ti c an d s un dri e o f h i s c o u nc e ll yet did he
u tterly de n ie the s am e
Where upo n the k i n ges m aje sti c perceivi ng h i s
s t ubb o urn e w i lfulnes s c co n ceived an d i m agi n ed
th at i n the ti m e o f h i s abs e n ce hee h ad en tered
i nto n e w e co nferen ce an d le ague w ith th e devil!
h i s m aster an d th at hee h ad been e agayn e n e wly
m arked fo r the w hich he w as n arro w ly s earched
but it c o uldc n o t i n an ie w i c e be fo un de yet fo r
m ore tryall o f h i m to m ake hi m co n fe ss e hee w as
c o m m au n de d to h ave a m os t straun ge torm e n t
w hich w as do n e i n thi s m ann er follo w i n g
H i s n ai les u pon all hi s n gers w ere riven and
p ulled o ff w ith an in strum en t called i n S cotti s h a
turk e s w hich i n E ngl and w ee call a p ayre o f
pin cers and u nder c v eri e n ayle th ere was thrus t
,

D O CT O R

FI A N

A SS O CI A TES

A N D H IS

71

eedles o ver eve n u p to the he ads ; at all

w hich t o rm e n t e s n otw ith stan di n g the Doctor
n e ver s h ro nk e an ie w h i t n either w o uld s he the n
c o nfe ss e it the s oo n er fo r all the tort ure s i n ic te d
upo n h i m
The n was hee w ith all con ve n ie nt s peed by
c o m m an de m e n t c o n v ai e d a ai n e t o the torm e n t
g
o f th e boote s w h e rei n h e co n ti n ued a lo n g ti m e
a nd di d abide s o m an y blo we s i n the m th at h i s
le gge s w ere c rush t an d be ate n to g e ther as s m all
as m igh t be e an d the bo n e s an d e s h s o b rui s e d
th at the blood an d m arro w s pou te d forth i n g reat
abu n d an c e w hereby th ey w ere m ade u ns ervi c e
an d n otw ith s tan di n g all th e s e
able for ever
ie
o
u
p
i
n
e s an d c ru ell t o rm e n ts
hee
o
ld
r
s
a
u
w
v
g
n o t co nfe ss an ie thi n gs ; s o d e eply h ad the de vi ll
e n te red i nto h i s h e art th at hee u tte rly de n ied all
th at which he had be fore avo uch ed an d w o uld
s aie n othi n g t h e run t o but this th at w h at he h ad
don e an d sayde be fore w as o n e ly d o n e an d sayde
fo r fear o f p ay n e s w hi ch he h ad e n d ure d
Upo n great cons iderati o n there fore take n by
the ki ng s m ajes ti c an d h i s co uns ell as w ell fo r
the due ex ec utio n o fj ustice U po n s uch dete stable
m ale facto rs as als o fo r exam ple sake to re m ayn e
a te rr o u r to all othe rs her eafte r th at s h all atte m p t
to d e ale i n the lyke w icked an d un go dly e action s
as w i tchcraft s o rcery co nj u ratio n an d s uch lyke
the s e yde Doctor Fi an was s oon e afte r arraign ed

i n t wo

7 2 H I S TOR Y

WI TC H CRA FT

OF

IN SC

O TLA N D

condem ned an d adj udged by the law to die an d

the n to bee b urn ed accordi n g to the l aw e o fth at
lan de provided i n th at behalfe Where upo n hee
w as p ut i n to a carte an d bei n g rs t stran gled he
was i m m edi ately p ut i n to a gre at re bei ng
re adi e prov i ded fo r
th at p urpos e an d there
burned i n the C as tle hill o f Eden bro ugh o n a
Sate rdai e i n the c n de o f Jan u ari e l as t p as t 1 59 1
T h e re s t o f the w itche s w hich are n o t exe
outed re m ayn e i n pri s o n t i ll farther t ri all an d
k n ow ledge o f h i s m aj es ties pleas ure
R egard i ng the three fe m ale s Eup h am e Mac c al
zean e
Barbara N apier an d Ag ne s Sam p s on re
ferred to i n the precedi ng the follo w i n g giv e
Euph am e Mac c alze an e (h e r
s o m e i n for m at i o n
father w as an e advocate ) s po us e to Patrick Mac
c alzean e
ali as M o s c ro p t fo r m an y tre as o nabl e
co nspiracies un dertaken by w itc hcraft to h av e
des troyed th e ki ng s pe rs o n by a p i c tur o f w ax
an d h ave bere ft h i s m aje s ty o f h i s li fe
I tem fo r
e n te rp rys i n g to kill her h us ban d th at s h e m igh t
gett an other good m an an d fo r dro w ning a boat
betw ixt Leith an d Ki ngh o rn e w herein w ere 6 0
person s lost ; con vict o f thir an d m any oth er
m ons tro us poi n ts s en ten ced to be bu rn t quick t o
the death and all hir lan ds an d good s forfaulted
,

F o u

n tai nh all s

R ec or d

s i de rable

M S A bs tr ac t of the J u s ti c i ar y
.

Thi s w om an w as posse ss ed o f a
e stat e i n her o wn right bei ng
,

c on

the

7 4 H I S TO R Y

WI T CH CR A FT

OF

IN SC

O TLA N D

becaus e sh e was w ith c h i lde bu t

after w ard s n obody in s i s ti n g i n the p urs u it o f her
It appears t hat Agn es
s h e w as s e t at li bert i e
Sam p s o n w as als o con cern ed i n the plot again s t
t h e li fe o f A ngu s w h o accordi n g to Spotti sw oode
obsti nately refused the ai d o f R ich ard Graham e
the w izard m e n tion ed above by w h o s e skill he
m ight h ave cou n teracted the ch arm s o f t h e
w itche s
An n a Si m son (i e Agne s Sam p son )
co n tin ues Go ds c ro f i s reported
a fam o us w itch
to h av e con fessed at her death th at a picture o f
w axe w as brought to her h avi n g A D w ritte n o n
it w hich (as they said to her) did si gni e
Archibald D av id son an d sh ee n o t t hi n ki n g o f
the Earl o f An gus w ho se n am e w as Archibald
Douglas an d m ight h ave been called Davids on
because h i s fath er s n am e w as Dav id did c o ns c
crate or e xecrate it after her form e w hich sh e
said i f s h e h ad k n o w n e to h ave repre s e n ted h i m
s hee w o u ld n o t h ave do n e it fo r all the w orld
It appears w on derful en o ugh fro m the very
s uS i c i o u s i n terco u rs e betw ee n
the
e
h
g
s
n
d
a
s
a
p
Lady An g us (w hos e great gran dm other Lady
Glam m i s s ee m s to h ave bee n brought to the stake
o n m ore s le n der presu m ptio n s fo r w itc hcraft)
that the co un tess hersel f escaped a cri m i nal pro
s c on tio n
Sh e w as the w idow o f Robert Do uglas
you nger o f Lochleven when Lord An gus after
divorci ng h i s s econ d w i fe a d aughter o f Lord
w as de ferred

'

DR

Rothes, fo r

FI A N

A SS O CI A TES

A N D HI S

75

lte ry m arried her i n th e year

1 58 6
Havi ng b uried her s eco n d h usban d her
we alth at tracted a third Alex an der Lin dsay
afterward s Lord S yn i e a yo uth ful favo urite o f
p
Ki ng Jam c s th e Sixth w h o i s said to h ave
addre ss ed
the follo wi ng very lacon ic adm o ni
tory epistle to Li n d say from Den m ark
Deir

S an die
Wee are goin g o n heir i n the auld w ay
an d ve rrie m errie
I ll n o t forget yo w w han I
co m e h am e ; yo u sall be a lord But m y u d Je an
Lyon fo r her auld to ut w ill m ac k yo w a n e w
hom e
Agn e s S am p s on com m o n ly called the wi se
w i fe o f Keith con cer n i ng w hom Spotti s w oode p
3 8 3 relate s a story n o t con rm ed by the record
co nfe s sed to the kin g him self that o n o n e occa
s io n
the devil i n m an s like n ess m e t her goi ng
o ut to the eld s fro m her o w n ho us e at Ke it h
betw ixt v e and si x at even bei ng alon e an d
com m an ded her to be at N orth Berw ick Kirk th e
n ext n igh t to w hich pl ace s h e cam e o n hors e
back con veyed by h e r good so n called John
C o uper an d lighted at the Kirk yard or a little
before sh e cam e to it abo ut eleve n ho urs at eve n
They dan ced along the kirk yard Gei llie D uncan
playing o n a tru m p (Je w s harp ) an d Joh n Fian
m uzzle d (m asked ) led the ri ng
The said Ag n es
an d h e r d aughte r follow ed n ex t
be
ide
there
s
s
;
were K ate Gray Ro bert Griers o n
w ith t h e
adu

7 6 H I S TOR Y

WI TC H CRA F T

OF

IN SC

O TLA N D

re st o f their ki m m ers abo ve 1 00 person s w here

an d all t h e re s t w o m e n
o f t here w ere s i x m en
Th e w om en m ade rs t their cou rte sy to their
m as ter an d the n the m e n ; t h e m e n t urn i ng n i n e
tim es w iddershi ns about and th e w om en six
tim es John Fian blew up the kirk doors and
ble w i n the lights w hich w ere like m eikle black
candles s ti ki ng roun d about the p ulpit The
devil him self started up i n th e pulpit like a
m eikle black m an an d calli n g the r o w every o n e

ans w ered
Hc re
M r R obert Griers on bein g
n am ed
they all ran b irdie gi rdi e and w ere
an gry fo r it w as pro m i s ed th at he sho u ld be
called R obert the C o m ptroller fo r the e x pri m ing
The devil then preached a se r
o f h i s n am e
m o n afte r w h i ch they ri ed three graves fo r
m agical cookery
Agn es got fo r her part a w in d
Joh n F ian ali as
i n g sheet an d t w o j oi n ts
C unn i n gh am e w h o Agn es said w as ever n eare st
to the devil at hi s left e lboc k confessed that he
w as carried i n an extas ie to the kirk at N orth
Ber wick w h ere the devil preached to the m bid
din g the m n o t spare to do ev i l ; to eat drin k an d
be m erri ye fo r he should rai se them all up
gloriously at the las t day ; that S atan poin te d
o u t certai n grave s w h i ch w ere ope n e d an d he
corpse s w ith
saw the w o m en di sm e m ber the
ught the m to baptiz e a c at
The
devil
t
u
l
i
es
a
l
g
an d thro w it i n to the s ea calling Hola ! w hich
,

DR

w o uld

FI AN

raise

AN D H IS

A SS OCI A TES

77

torm to s hip w reck the ki ng ; an d

o n Joh n s atte m ptin g to catch a c at fo r th at p ur
pos e an d sh e provi ng very n i m ble he w as carrie d
abo ut i n the ai r after her i n a w o n derful m an n er
Al s o o n h i s m ajes ty s retu rn Satan raised a m is t
by thro w i ng som ethi ng like a foot ball i n to th e
s e a an d thi s w as do n e th at Jam e s m ight be cas t
F ian al so co n fessed
u pon the E n glis h s hore
that ear n estly w i shi ng to be revenged o n a n c i gh
bo ur o fh is the devil fo r the rs t ti m e appeared
to h i m i n w hi te raim e n t an d told h i m th at if h e
w ould s erve and adore h i m he s ho uld n ever w an t
fo r an y thi ng an d be reven ged o n all h i s e n e m ie s
an d t h at Satan thre ate n ed to de s ert h i m an d do

h i m m i schief w he n he w as goi n g to m arry

Ju s
ti c i ar y Rec o r d
Agn e s Sam p so n s i n dic tm en t
co nsists o f 53 poin ts m ost o f w hich co ncern her
c urin g o f diseases ascertai n i ng w hether thes e
w ere n at ural or devili sh brought o n by w itch
craft an d elf arro ws an d us in g a prayer said to
be d evili sh ; whilk prayer sh e learn i t frac hir
by w hich sh e forek n e w if the person
fadde r
w ho m sh e de s ired to cu re w o uld live or die ; fo r i f
s h e stop t i n repe ati ng it it w as a toke n o f the p a
The prayer sh e said w as this
t i e n t s de ath
a s

tro w i n Al m ighty God that w rought baith

heave n an d e arth an d all o f n ocht
I nto h i s deare st s o n Christ Jes us in to that
com ely Lord I tro w

H
I
S
TOR Y
8
7

Wes gotte n

WI TCH CRAF T

OF

of

IN S

CO TLA N D

the Holy Ghai s t born

,

of

the

Vi r

n M ary ;
i
g

to h eave n that all w eill th e n and sitts

at h i s F ather s righ t han d
He bad us com e and their to do m e both quick
an d dead t o hi m c o n v e i n e ;
I trow also i n the Haly Ghai st in haly kirk m y
hope i s m aist ;
Th at h aly ship w h e i r h allo we rs wi n s to as k fo r
v e ne s o f their s i nne s
i
g
An d syn c to rys e i n es c h and ban e the l ife th at
n ever m air h es gan e
Th ou sayds Lo rd loved m ay ye be that form ed
an d m ade m an ki n d o f m e ;
Thou oust m e o n the h aly croce th o u le nt m e
body saull and voce
An d ordain ed m e to heave n s bli ss e wh erfo re I
th ank the Lo rd o f this
Th at all your h allo wers loved be to p ray to the m
to pray to m e ;
And kee p m e fro m that fello n sea and fro m the
s i n that san ll w o uld s lay
Thou Lord fo r thy bitter passio n to k eep m e fra
si n an d w orldly s h am e
An d e n dle ss d am nation gran t m e the joy n ever
w ill be gan c
S we i t Jes us Chri stus Am e n
I tem Sh e we n t with the witch o f Carreburn
and other w itche s to th e Kirk o f N e wto n an d
S tep ped

DR

FI A N

AN D H IS

A SS O CI A TES

79

ki n g u p dead folks an d join ti ng the m m ade

e nchan ted pow ders fo r w itchcraft I tem Sh e
w en t w ith other w itche s i n a bo at th e devil g o
I tem T h e
i ng before the m like a rock o f h ay
devil i n the sh ape o f a dog gave her res ponses
co nc ern in g her l aird s recovery an d en deavou red
to put aw a an e o f the l adie s daughters I tem
Sh e rai s ed a un iversal gre at stor m i n th e s e a whe n
the queen w as com i n g to Scotland an d wrote a
letter to th at e ffect to a w itch i n Leith I tem
Sh e u sed thi s prayer i n heali n g o f si c kn es s e
All kyn ds o f ill t hat ever m ay be i n Chri st s
n am e I co nj ure thee
I conj ure thee baith m are an d le s se w ith all the
vertu es o f the m ess e
An d right sa w ith the n ai lls se th at n ailed Je s us

ta

an d n a

m a,

An d

right sa by the se m e n blu id that raiked o ur

the rut hfull r uid
F urth o f the e c h an d o f the ban e and i n the
e i rd an d i n the stan e
I conj ure thee i n God s nam e
F or m ore s uch like doggrel see th e ch apter
An en t s om e Prayers C harm s an d Aves u sed i n
the Highlan d s i n Satan s I n visible World an d
The Won derful Di sc o v eri e o f Witch es i n the
C o un t i e o f L anc as ter 1 6 1 3
F ran ci s Earl o f Both w ell w hose res tless s pirit
gave Ki n g Jam e s s o m uch u n e as ine ss w as
,

8 0 H I S TORY

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

I N SC

O TL A N D

cc used by the se W itches o f co nsulti ng the m

res pecting h is s overeig n s fate an d o f havi ng
e m ployed th eir art i n rais i ng the storm s at sea
w hi c h e ndan gered the qu ee n s li fe an d i m peded
Jam es s retu rn from D e n m ark His i m priso nm e n t
But
an d s ubs eque n t e n terpri s e s are w ell k n o w n
w e le arn fro m S an dys th at i n h i s l as t retreat
the e arl hi m s el f w as es tee m ed a skilful n ecro
Talki ng o f C al abria i n the ye ar 1 6 1 0
m an oer
he says
Here a certain Calabri an he ari ng th at
I w as an E ngli sh m an cam e to m e and wo uld
n e ed s pers uade m e th at I h ad i n s ight i n m ag i c k
fo r th at Earl Both well w as m y cou n try m an w h o
li ve s at N aples an d i s i n tho s e p art s fam ous fo r
S e e M r Robert Bruce s
s us pected n ecro m an cy
S erm on s fo r a c u rio us di s co u rs e pre ache d at
Edi nburgh 9 th N ovem be r l 58 9
At t h e which
t i m e the E arle Both w ell m ade h i s p ubli c ke
repe n tance i n the ch urch
Part o f the text pro
bably all ude s to hi s m agical prope ns itie s
an d
nd u n le arn ed q ue s tio n s kn o w
aw ay fooli sh a
u
t
p

Sec on d Epis tle

i ng th at they i nge n der s trife
to T i m c ii H i s s o n w ho m Lilly s tyles Lord
Both w ell tho ugh the title i s said n ever to h ave
bee n res to red s eem s to have in herited h i s father s
turn fo r m etaphys ical i nterco urse Lilly talkin g
a
o f o n e Evan s an as trologe r and a We ls h m an
drunkard and s eldom w itho ut a black eye wh o
pri n ci p ally subsi sted o n the sale o f anti m oni al
a

'

8 2 H IS TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S C

O TL A N D

CHAPTER IV

n
a
(

1 59 4 to a n

The Ea rl of A rgyle s Wi tch The Countess of A rran de

cei ved
Ali so n Balfour the Orkney Wi tch J ames V

a nd

the

h is

Da mo nolog ie

Th

at

Cas tle Hill

Earl

The Murder

Corstorp hi ne

a wri e

Go wr ie

and

f Ki nc aid

B urned

on

the

o
l
s
G
r
i
ers
I
b
e
n
o
n
a
d
r
B
a
f
Curing and I n dic ti ng Di seas es

The Burn i ng

bara P aterson

E nchanted P arc hm en t

Ths Devil

Faithful N arrative

of

the Great and

Mi raculo us Victory obt aine d by George Gordo n
Earl o f H un tly an d F ran cis Hay Earl o f E rro l
C atholi c N oble m e n over Archibald C am pbell
Earl o f Argyle Lie ute n ant at Strath aven i n the
Argyle i s
N orth o f Scotland 3 d O ctober
ac c o m pan ied by a n oted
ac c us ed o f h avi ng bee n
w itch o n p urpo s e to dis cover the property and
hidden treas ures o f the i nh abitan ts by her i n
says t h e n arrato r
n o t w i th
c an tat i o ns ; w hi o
s tan di ng they i nj ured othe rs did us n o h arm fo r
w hen s h e rai sed a t hick m i st to con fo und o ur
eyes as w e ab solutely saw it imm ediately fai led
there bei ng s om ethin g i n o ur cam p sh e said
t er sh e w as take n th at greatly i m peded her
af
e xertions &c The en ch an tre ss o f w ho m I h ave
delivered oracle s to Argyle w orthy a
s poke n
Pythian s piri t ; o n e o f her prophecies w as th at o n
th e follo w i ng F rid ay which was the day after the
IN the

T HE E

WI TCH

A RL OF ARG YLE S

83

harp should be playe d i n B uch an ;

and the bagp ipe w hic h i s th e p ri n cip al m ili tary
ins trum en t o f the Scotti sh m o untain ee rs should
H untly s s eat N o r w ere
s o un d i n S trathbogie
her vatici nation s e nti rely vai n ; fo r both the harp
and b agpipe s o un ded i n S t rathbogie an d T u re f
but t h e ge n eral w as no t there t o e njoy their m o s t
n either co uld her s orcery fore
agree able m usic
s e e the de ath th at aw aited her afte r the vic tory
A fe w years pos terior to t his even t the cele
brate d w i fe o f C aptai n Jam e s S te wart E ar l o f
Arran w as s till m ore gross ly deceived by the
hypothetical pred i ction s o fthes e treacherous slave s
to the fal s e s pirit
S h e got a re s po nse fro m the
w itche s th at sh e s ho uld be the gre ate st w o m an
i n S cotl an d an d th at her h us ban d s ho uld h ave
Both w hich
t h e highe st he ad i n th at kin gdo m
fell o ut fo r sh e died being all s w elled o ut i n an
ridin g to the
e xtraordi nary m an n er ; an d he
w as p urs ued by the Lord To rth o ral
s o ut h
u
a
s
w
s
f
c
lled
Do
gl
ho
e
hole
ily
the
id
w
a
m
s
a
a
)
(
Captain Jam e s i n te nded to h ave e xtirpat ed and
was kille d an d h i s he ad c arried o n the poi nt o f a
After
s pe ar till it was bro ught to a ch u rch y ard
w hich ti m e th e H am i lto ns w ere re stored to their

r
S tagger i n g S tate p 9
o wn e s tate o f A ran
T he last o f this bran c h o f the fam ily o f O ch i l
tree was William Lord O chiltree wh o die d at
t h e U n ive rs ity o f Edi nburgh i n the ye ar 1 6 7 5
batt le , Argyle s

8 4 H IS TORY

OF

WI TC H CRA FT

IN SC

O TL A N D

ged s ixtee n He i s m e n tio ned i n a MS His tory

o f the Laird s o f Gart hland as
the boy that was
s o cele brate fo r h i s vei n an d ge n i us o f poetry
but h i s fam e s ee m s to h av e bee n n e arly as brie f
S i r Jam es Do uglas o f Park
as h i s e xi s te n ce
h e ad above m e n tio ned s tyled Lord T o th o r wald
as h avi ng m arri ed th e heire s s o f th at baro ny
was after wards r un thro ugh t h e body o n the
High Street o f Edi nb urgh by a n ephe w o f
C ap tai n Jam e s Ste wart an d died w ith o ut u t t er
O n cle ari n g aw ay t he rubbis h
i ng o n e word
which t ill lately covered t h e p ave m e n t o f the
Chapel at Holyrood Ho us e h i s to m bs t o n e w as
Heir
fo un d w ith this m utilated i n s criptio n
lyes anc n o bil and po te n t L o rd Jam es Do ugl as
an d Cai rle ll an d T o r th o rall w h a m ariet D ai m e
Elizabeth Cai rlell ai r an d heretrix yr o f w h a
w as el ain e i n Edi n bu rgh ye 1 4 day o f J uly i n ye
ze i r o f God 1 6 08 v as s lai n e i n
O n the 24t h o f J une 1 59 6 Joh n S te w art
m aster o f O rk n ey w as i n dicted fo r co n s ulti ng
w ith Al is o n B alfo ur a w itch fo r the de s t ructio n
o f P at ric k E arl o f O rk n ey h i s brother by poi s o n
He gave i n a w ritten declaratio n by way o f de
fe n ce s tati ng am o ng o ther thi n gs th at n o regard
o ught to be paid to the confess io n o f the w itch
as it w as extort ed by vario us tor m e n ts
T h e fo l
lo w i n g doc um e nt i s pro duced to co nr m t his as

s e rti o n z
Ap u d Kirk wall u po n the Hed i n g Hill
a

A LI S O N

TH E

ORKN E Y

WI TCH

85

e the saxte n e day o f Decem ber 1 59 4

in pre s e n ce o f Thom as
m i n is ter at Kirk
w all ; Joh n S te wart elder there ; Mr Gilbert
Bod m in is ter at Hol m ; Alexan der So m e rv all
Joh n M Ke n zie ; David Mo nt eith s ervitor to m y
Lord Erll o f O rkn ey ; an d Gilbert Paple ; w ith
l
d
s un dry a theri s ; the
k
ay i n p res e n s o f m e
q
n otary
n derw ritten an d w i t n es fo i r
u
bl
i
t
u
c
p
s aid s
Ali s o un B alfo u r bei n g c o n de m pn i t fo r
s i n dri e alle dgi t poy nts o f witchcraft an d lied to
the hill to the pl ace o f execution sh e i n p resen s
o f m e an d w itn e ss fo i rs ai ds de c lari t an d tu ke
u p on hir s aull an d co n s cie n ce as s h e w ald an s wer
at the day o f j u dge m e n t s h e w e s als i nn oce n t
an d w ald die als i nn oce n t o f o n y poy n t o f w itch
craft as an e bai rne n e w born e ; and als bei ng
i n q uyri t upon h i r s aull an d con sc ie n ce to declair
h
u
a
s che k n e w to the auld Laird o f S t e n h o us
t
q
an d to q uh at e ffec t he gai f to hir the w ax th at
w as i n hir p urs qu ba the n p res e n tli e de c lari t be
hir pair t o f Paradyc e an d as sche w ald ans we r
to t h e lev i nge Lord th at s che k n e w n a thi n g to
the auld Laird o f Ste n h o us bot h o n est i e ; and
th at h i s lady bei ng s ubj e c tt to the c o li c k n oto ur
to hir w illi t the laird to gi f heir an e peac e walx
a fo u r ze i r bygan e syn c to m ak an e i m plai s te r
to be i m plo yi t be h i m to h i s l adie fo r re m edie o f
h i r s aid di s ei s an d n a ut h e rw ayes as sh e w ald
an s w er to the livi nga God o f he ave n and ea rth

of

th e

BA LF O UR

sam

8 6 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

id th an playnli e th at sche w ald di e w ith

th e sam e co n fe ss io n
Lyke s s sche th an diet c o n
s t an tli e the re wi th ; an d s i c k lyk e bei n g e nq uyr it
an d ac c usi t be the p erso un o f O rphir g i f sch e
wald abyde be hir fi rs t depos itio n m aid i n th e
day o f D ece m
Cas tell o f Kirkw all u po n the
ber i n stan t q uh a answ e ri t that the tym e o f hir
rs t depo sition s che w as t o rto ri t an d s eve ral!
tym es i n the c as pi e c law s and si ndri e tym es take n
an d o u t o f all re m e m bran c e
o ut o f the m deid
e ither o f gu id or c v i ll ; as lykew ayes hir guid m an
bei n g i n the stoke s hir s o n to rturi t i n the huite
an d hir daughter p u t i n t h e pil n ie w i nk s w h erwi th
s che an d they w ere sw a kepi t an d t o rm e n t i t th at
to
e
s che w
to
rm e n t an d
ri ttar
ai rt li e
an e
g
p
an d u po n prom i s o f h i r lye
o w n i sc h m e nt
p
an d guid deid s be the s aid pers o n falsli e agai ns
hir saul an d c o n s c i e ns sche m ayd the co nfessio n
an d n a o t h e rw aye s ; fo r the q lk sh e as ki t t h e
Lord m ercy an d fo rgi v en es an d c o nstant li e dei t t
an d sa

t
t
r
a
y

Cri m i n a l R ec ord

ch diabolical ti m es it i s n o t surprisin g
that Ki ng Jam es se t hi m s el f to w rit e h i s Daem on
o lo gi e i n w hich he sa ely di s covers the w hole
F rom i ts ch aracteri s ti c
m ystery o f w itchcraft
He says th at
s tyle thi s tract i s very am usi ng
the reason why w o m en are m ore addicted t o
i s c as ie fo r as th at se x i s
m agi c k t han m e n
frailer the n m an i s so i s it e as i er to be i n trapped
In

su

TH E M

WI TCH

ARKS OF A

87

gross e sn are s o f th e divell as w as ove r

w ell p ro o v e d to be tre w by the s erpe n t s d c cc iv
i ng o f Eve at the begi nni ng w hich m ake s h i m
the hom elier wi th th at sexe s ensi ne The pers e
c uti o n o f unfo rtu nate old w om an by Jam e s an d
th e clergy w as s o m e w h at relax ed after th e de
te ction o f an i m postor o ne Margaret Atki n w h o
preten ded to k n ow a witch at rst sight ai rm
i n th e s e

i ng that
thei r

om e

all o

t
a
t
h
f

eyes

Spotti

ha d

so r t

sw

oode p
,

sec r et

448

m ar k i n
of

h
e m ark
T

'

the liken ess o f a horse i n th e eye

Di scovery of Wi tc hcr aft Witche s an d w izards
say s Bodi n
can n ot look direc tly upon a m an s
face n o r are they able to shed te ars
threate n
a nd t orture the m as ye pleas e w hile rs t th ey
repe n t ; (G o d n o t pe rm itting them to disse m ble
their o bstin ac i e i n so horrible a crim e ) albei t
the w om an ki nd es pecially be able othe rways to
sh ed t e are s at every light occas io n
when th ey
w ill yea although it w ere di ss e m bli ngly lik e

the crocodiles
Dcem on o logi e book i i i Those
w h o c ured dis eas e s h ad gen erally S t C ath ari ne s
wheel prin ted i n th e roo f o f their m o n th s or i n

som e
other p art about the m An atom y of
M ela n c ho ly vol i p 3 3 5
The Earl o f Go wrie whos e m ysterious atte m pt
to s eize upon the ki ng at Perth h as so m uc h
puzzled h is torian s was exceedi ngly addicted to
m agi c k as w ere othe rs o f h is fam ily
The wo rd
s

was

88 H I S TOR Y

W1 T CH CRA F T

OF

I N S O TL A N D

Tetr agr amm ato n , w ritte n o n

parch m e nt and worn

abou t h i s p e rs o n preve n ted the blood from o w
i ng eve n after he w as dead
F rom the foo lish
con duct o f th e w hole con s piracy it i s ve ry prob
abl e th at Go w rie lai d gre ater s tres s u po n s uch
charm s th an a m an o f h i s reputat ion fo r abilities
c an e as ily be s u ppo sed to h ave do ne even i n th at
s upers titio us a e
g
This p arch m en t was preserved lo n g after
Gow rie s death ; an d fro m w hat Lord Crom artie
says i n h i s A cco un t o f the Co n s piracy m ay s till

be extan t by the w ay Lord Crom artie him sel f

m i gh t re ason ably h ave bee n s uspecte d o f po ss es s
i ng so m e m agi cal secret to s ecure love ; fo r at t h e
advan ced ag e o f s eve n ty he m arrie d a yo un g an d
beauti ful co unt e ss i n h e r o wn righ t a w idow
we althy and i n un iversal e s ti m atio n
The fo l
low i ng di stich w as com po sed o n the o c cas io n
w hich afforded ab un dan t m atte r fo r w aggery to
the l am poon w rite rs o f the ti m e :
,

Thou s o ns ie auld c ar!

The w orld h es n o t thy like
F or ladie s fa i n love w ith thee
Tho tho u be an e auld tyke
,

An other indignan t poet exclai m s

all

th e

n
s,
o
o
p

gods there s

an es
p

braz en s tatue

w itchcraft i n t

e r by

sw a

M S

Lam

Lord C rom artie erected a

the hon o u r o f h i s beautiful w ife

me

to

90 H IS TORY

OF

WI TCH CRA F T

IN S CO TLA N D

Ki ncaid of Warri sto n having offe n ded h i s wife by

beating her as th e C ri m i nal Record s tates sh e
,

o ntrive d to s trangle h i m w ith th e help o f h er

n urs e and a m an serv an t
The quarrel i s give n
'
di e ren tly i n the s o ng

He s p ak a w ord i n jes t
Her ans wer wasna good ;
He thre w a pl ate at her face
Made it a gush o ut 0 blood
,

The devil appeared shortly after and taught h e r

h o w to be ave n ged o f this i n tolerable rude n e ss :
,

The fo ul thie f kn otted the te ther

S h e lift ed h i s he ad o n hie
The n o urice drew the kn ot
That gar d Laird W arri st o n die

J am i eson
,

otes

Ballads

J uly 2 John
Kin caid o f W arri st o ne m urderi t by h i s awi n
wytf an d s e rvan t m an (thi s perh ap s i s the fo u l
thi ef or devil o f t h e ballad ) an d her n uri s c h e
being als o u po n the co ns piracy the said ge n til
w om an bei ng appreh en di t s cho was tan e to the
Girt h Cross e u pon the 5th day o f Juli i an d h er
heid struck fra her bodie at th e Cannagai t t
quba diet very patien tly ; her n uri sc h e was
brun t at th e sam e tim e at 4 hours i n the m orn

In th e MS Abridgm e nt
i ng the 5 o f J unii
Bi rre l i n h i s

Di ary

BRO KEN A LI VE
of

91

IVH EEL

TH E

ON

26
the Justiciary Re cord i s this passage
June 1 6 04 William Weir s om eti m e se rvan d to
t h e Laird o f Dunypac e delayti t o f art an d part
o f the cru el m urder o f John Ki n caid o f Warri st o n
i n ann o 1 6 00
Th e fact o f this barbarous m urde r
i s t h us
Je an Livi ngston s po use to t h e said
Joh n h avi ng con ceived a deadli e hatred towards
her husban d for alledged m altreatm ent di d send
Jan et Murdo h er n urse to the said William
Weir and im plored hi m to m u rder h e r h usban d
w h o accordin gly was bro ught to W arri s to n and
abou t m id night they c am e i n to the roo m where
he w as lying i n be d an d bei ng awakened w ith
the n oise calle d to the m ; w here upon the sai d
Weir runn ing to h im and w ith a se vere strok e
w ith h i s h an d struck hi m o n the vei n organ (i e
the ank vei n ) and thereby he fell o ut of h i s bed
o n the o or w he re upo n Weir s truck hi m o n t h e
belli e w ith hi s feet an d thereaft er gri pped h i m by
th e throat an d held h i m ti ll he s tran gled h i m t o
de ath He was sen te n ced to be broken alive o n
the ro w or wheel and be expo sed thereon fo r 24
hours and thereaft er the said ro w w ith the body
o n it to be place d bet wee n Leith an d W arri st o n
He
till orders be give n to burri e th e bo dy
w as broke n
say s Birre ll
o n an e c art wh eel
with an e coulter o f an e ple uc h e i n th e h an d o f
a c ruel punish m ent seldom to
th e h an g m an
be m et w ith i n th e crim inal re cords o f Scotlan d
,

9 2 H IS T OR Y

T wo

WI TC H CRAFT

OF

of

IN S

CO TL A N D

the Rege n t Le n nox s m urderers i ndee d

w e re th us exec ute d by the E arl o f Mar
q uba
c aw s i t Bell an d Calder to be p ublickly broke n
u pon the ro w and th us p yni t to the deat
H i s tor i e of Ki n g J am es the Sea t p 1 54
Lord Fo un tai nh all talki n g o f M rs N im m o a
d aughter o f Ham il ton o f Grange w h o m urdered
Lord Forre ster i n the year 1 6 7 9 says th at M rs
Ki n caid was o f the fam ily o f Gran ge ; but it ap
pears that her m ai de n n am e w as Livi ngs to n e
He also m en tions another m u rderess o f the sam e
race Mrs B e dford w hos e trial occurs i n the
C ri m i nal R egis ter 1 7th May 1 6 6 5
S h e i s there
s tyled M argaret H am ilto n relict o f R obert Bed
ford E n glis h m an m erch an t at Leith an d fo un d
guilty o f m urder and o f an unl aw ful com m erce
w ith Ge ills Tyre E ngli sh m an s urvey or i n Leith
then p ri s on er i n the Tolbooth o f Edi nb urgh
An d the better to p alliate the cri m e un der the
colour o f hos pitality the said C e i lls did take u p
h i s lodgi ng i n the said Robert h i s ho use an d was
there dyete d pre ten di n g h e could n o t be so w ell
ac c o m idate el s e w here ; an d the said C e i lls di d
w rite i n h i s book s a n ote o f the birth o f the s e
c hildre n w hich w ere h i s o w n an d o f the de ath
o f s uch o f the m as de c e as t
An d the said C e i lls
h avi ng gon e to Lon don sh e di d e ntertai n am orous
c orre s po nde n ce w ith h i m by letters ; un der bor
ro w d n am e s and h av i n g e s tranged her af
fectio n

T H E M U D ER O F B ED F O R D

93

to her h usband sh e co n tri v ed h i s m urde r an d

fo r that e n d e m ployed a s er van t to buy poi s o n ;
an d th at h avi n g failed s h e di d o n a n ight bi nd
h i s h ands w he n he w as i n bed upon de s ign to
m urder h i m i n h i s s leep ; an d th at hav i ng also
fail ed s o o n an other n ight abo ut 1 1 o clock w he n
he w as a be d w ith s om e o f h i s children sh e did
s u rpri s e an d cr uelly m urder an d s trangle h i m ;
an d there after w it h the c an n o n bu l let th at s h e
u s ed to bre ak her coal s did give h i m m any de adly
s t ro aks u po n the he ad an d thereby killed h i m o u t
right An d to p alliate the m u rder s h e re solved
to b ury h im s oo n after h i s deceas e and i fthe w o u nd
sho uld be di s covered to give it o ut th at h e h ad
it by a fall o n the s tair an d did take o ff h is
bloody shir t an d con ceal it i n the cellar am ong
the c o alls an d put cle an linn ens u po n h i m
M rs
Bedford upon heari ng the in dictm en t an d her
for m er con fess ion read ac k n o w ledged her guil t
w ith a ood o f te ars an d repe ated this aft er the
j ury w ere s wo rn and the bloody clothes an d
can n on ball prod uced
F i nally s om e w itne ss es

That they saw Bed

w ere c alle d w h o declared
ford de ad w o u n ded as i s lybelle d an d th at they
saw s o m e teats o f h air an d other t oke n s w hich
h ad been gi ft ed to the pan n el by Ge i lls Tyre
take n o ut o f a little c o er i n her cus tody
Cr i m i n a l Reco r d Sh e w as co n de m n ed to be
beh eaded ; an d her lover the pre sum p t ions o f
,

'

H
I S TOR Y
4
9

WI TCH CRAFT

OF

w h ose

IN S C

O TLA N D

g uilt were very s tro ng narro wly es caped

to rture thro ugh t h e scru ples o f th e Privy c o unc il
Si r G M ackenzi e s Works vol ii p 26 1
O n th e 3 l st o f J uly 1 6 03 Jam es Re id i n
Co rs to rph i n was co nvicte d o f sorcery and afte r
w ard s b urn t
Hc s everal tim e s at Bannie C raigs
an d o n C ors tor p hin e M uir m e t the devil (fre
q uently i n the liken ess o f a ho me ) w h o taught
h i m to use s outh r un n i ng water as a he ali ng
c harm an d e n ch an ted i n ts to th e prej ud i ce o f
T wo years after w ards Patrick Law rie
m any
an other s orcerer w as c o mm itted to the am e s o n
the Cas tle hill o f Edi n burgh fo r h avi ng bee n at
s un dry m eeti n gs w ith S ath an o n Lo n do n hill
w here the e n d gave Patrick a h air belt at o ne
appeared the s i m ilit ude o f fo ur
e n d o f w hich
ngers and a th um b n o t far differe n t from the
cl aws o f the devil fo r de stroyi ng the crop s o f
certain far m ers during the s pace o f t en years ; fo r
an d n ally
c urin g an i n c u r a ble dis e as e ;
fo r
bein g an e co m m on an d n oto ri ous s orcerer war
lock and abuser o f the people
,

But

hear ye D ouce because ye m ay m eet m e

I n m ony sh apes to day w here er yo u s p y
This bro wde d belt with ch aracters t i s I ;
A gypsan lady and a right beldam
Wrought it by m oonshi n e fo r m e and s tar ligh t
Upo your gran am s grave that very n ight
,

B URN IN G OF

We

ear th

IS

d h er i n th e

OBEL GR I ERS ON
s

wh en

h ades ;

95

dam e

o ur

Hecate
Made it her gaing n ight over the kirk yard
Whe n all the b ark and pari sh tykes se t at h er
While I sat wh yrland o f m y brazen spin dle :
At every t wis te d thrid m y rock let y
Unto the se wster wh o did si t m e n igh
Under th e town turn pike w hich ran each spell
S h e s titched i n the w ork and k nit it w ell ;
Se e ye take te n t to th i s an d ke n your m oth er
-

Joh n ston s

S ad Shep her d

the year 1 6 07 I s obel Grierson w as burn t

a nd her as he s s c attered i n the w i n d aft er bei n g
c on v icted o f goin g o n e n ight i n to the ho us e o f
Adam C l ark i n Preston p ans i n the like ness o f
h i s o wn c at acco m p an ied w ith a m igh ty rabble
o f cats which by their n oi s e dre ad fully ari h te d
g
Adam h i s w ife an d m aid s ervan t th e las t o f
w ho m the devil i n the s h ape o f a black m an
dragged u p and do w n byt h e h air of the he ad
Griers on w as al so fo un d g uilty o f bew itchi ng M r
Bro wn o f Preston pan s by thro wing an e nch an ted
t a i lzi e of beef at h i s door a n d o f causi n g t h e
devil to dist urb h i s ho useh old fo r the s p ace o f
half a year by appearing every n ight at h i s re
s ide i n t h e s i m ilit ude o f an i nfant ba i rn
S he
hers elf frequen tly paid the fam ily a visit i n the
s h ape o f a c at an d rudely b es pri nkled Bro wn s
In

'

9 6 H IS TOR Y O F WI TCH C RAF T I N S CO TLA N D

vario us p arts o f the ho us e but on ce

bein g called u po n by n am e v ani s hed aw ay
Bro w n died o f a dis eas e i ni cted by her A n other
w ierd si s t er o f great n o te s uffered de ath i n a
fe w m o nth s after I sabel ; this w as Barbara Pater
s o n w h o w as fo un d g uilty o f s orcery ; o f an oin ti ng
w h o w as s ick w ith gree n
o n e Joh n Bro w n
s alve s m ade o f her bs an d givi n g h i m dre n che s
an d orderi n g h i m to fall do wn upo n h i s k n ee s
three s everal tim es to as k h i s health at all
li vi n g w itches above or un der the c ard i n t h e
n am e o f Je s us
Sh e als o gave h i m n i n e pickles
n
f
m
n
n
i
e
berrie
the
o
i
o f ro wan tree
s
o
u
a
t
a
n
h
s
(
I pres um e) to w e ar about h i s pers o n S h e abu sed
the p eop le w ith water bro ught fro m the Do w loch
n ear Dru m langri
u
n
p
tti
g
the
id
loch
te
w
s
a
a
r
g
i nto a s to up an d causi ng the patie nts lift it up
an d s ay
I lift thi s s toup i n the n am e o f the
Father So n an d Holy Ghost fo r the h ealth o f
the m fo r w hom it was lifted ; w hich w ords were
to be repeated three n i ne ti mes I tem sh e
was hed the patie n t s sark i n the loch and le ft i t
there ai rm i ng that i f any fo w l cam e o ut o f the
loch the patie n ts w o uld recover : but if n othi ng
cam e o ut the n they should die I tem sh e used
this charm fo r c uri ng o f cattle I charm ye for
arro w sh ot fo r eye shot fo r to n gu e sh ot fo r li v er
shot fo r lung s hot fo r c at shot all the m ai s t
i
n
;
the n am e o f the Father So n and Holy Gho s t
w ife ,

and

9 8 H IS TOR Y

WI T CH CRA F T

OF

IN S

CO TL A N D

tried fo r w itchcraft i n
the year 1 6 29 S om e articles o f t h e i ndi ctm en t
are very s in gular
I tem sh e w e n t i n a very
tem pestuo us n ight w hen th e m iln e hors es w ere
s carcely able to ride it
over the water to her
ho use and fra her ho us e back agai ne to the m iln e
w hen there was n o bridge n eith er o f s ton e n o r
tim ber over th e wat er u nw et I tem sh e de
s troyed the c attle o f W illiam M es le t
i n great
ng o ff her c urch at
th
t
by
ki
s uddai nt
an
d
t
a
a
y
the barn e door an d runn i ng abo ut thrice w ithin
t h e barn e w idde rs hi n s I tem sh e re se t t C hri stian
G ri n to n a w itc h i n h e r ho use w ho m the p an
n el s h us ban d s aw o n e n ight to co m e o ut at an e
hole i n the roof i n the like n es s o f a c at and
t h e i raft er tran sform e hers el f i n her o w n like ne ss ;
w here upon the p an n el told her h usban d th at it
s ho uld n o t faire w e i ll w ith hi m w hich fell o ut
ac cordi ngly ; fo r n ext day he fell do wn de ad
a t the ple uch an d w as bro ught h am e by the p an
n e l i n Willi am Me slet s ch aire
I tem sh e took a
s i c kn ess e o ff her h usban d and l ai d it o n h i s
brother s so n wh o c am e to the barn e an d saw
t h e rlo t t ru nn i n g about an d t h e st uff po p li ng
o n t h e oor ; an d he ran u po n the p an n ell w ith a
s w ord to kill her fo r be w itchi n g hi m
an d s trak
t h e li utell o f th e door i n follo w i ng ; the m ark
w hereof i s to be s ee n yet and th at h e died
t h ered
x
N
n
S
e
A
r
ppe
di
ot
e
e
I
h
t
e
m
e
(
t i o n er i n

Eas t

Barne s, was

C URIN G

AN D IN

FLI C TI N G

DI S EA SES

99

pparition was s ee n i n Joh n Brys o n s s tabl e

un der n ight ridi n g o n an e m eir s ee n by D avid
N i sbe t s e rv an d ; an d s i n ce by her so rc e ri e th e
m eir cast her foal an d die d
I tem fo r thir forty
years fo r c urin g o f hir besti all sh e h as bee n i n
us e to take a quick ox w ith a c at and a gre at
quantity o f salt and to burie the ox an d c at
quick w ith t h e salt i n a deep hole as a sacri c e
Th e
to the devil (Se e Appendix N ote
truth o f this article con ti n ue s the abridger o f
the C ri m i nal R ecord was th at their bes ti all
bein g dis eas ed o f the ro utt i ng evi l th e p annel s
hus ban d was going to the Laird o f Lee to borro w
h i s curin g s tan e
w here upo n their s er van t
Jam es N i sbet told the m that he h ad seen bes ti all
c ured by taki ng a quick ox and burying h i m i n
a pitt an d by calli n g the res t o f the bes t i all ov e r
that place ; where upo n they practi sed it on ce o r
t wice and w ere n o t the better ; w hereupo n they
w e n t to t h e said Laird o f Lee s
Th e ladie
re fus ed the s to ne
but gave aggo ns o f w ate r
w here i n it w as s te i pe d w hich givi n g t h e be sti all
to drink i n their apprehen sion it cured t h em
And fo r usin g the fore said re m edy her h us
ban d (but never the pann el) was ordai ned by t h e
Pre sbyte ry o f D unbar to m ake satisfaction fo r
t h e sc an dalo us fac t an d to dive st others t h e i rfra
It i s th e ordi nar practice o f h usban dm e n o f th e
best so r t w h o were n e ver s us pec t n o r dilate d

100 H IS TOR Y

WI T CH CRA FT

OF

IN S

CO TLA N D

parts o f th e kingdo m
With
to the s ton e afore m e ntioned
th e cele
Lee Pe nn y as it i s com m on ly
term ed i s a small red s to n e se t i n s ilver said
to h ave bee n brough t from the Holy L and by

Lockhart o f Lee w h o acco m pan ied the Earl o f

Do uglas wh e n carryi ng Ki ng Robert the Bru ce s
heart to Jerusalem Lockh art exto rte d i t from
a Pay n i m lady w hos e hus ban d h e h ad take n
u
a
h
s
a
ri
o
n
er
n
h
w
hile
p
yi
n
g
t
e
s
tip
l
ted
a
d
o
w
p
ran som
dropt thi s s ton e fro m her purs e
On
her snatc hi ng it up w ith great precipi tatio n th e
wi ly k n ight divi n ed i ts v al u e and w o uld n o t
relieve the i ndel ti ll th e am ulet was added to
h i s price
It w as lon g dee m ed a sovereign
re m edy fo r all sorts o f di s eas es and o f late
tim e s i s said to h ave cured a lady o f c o n
dition w h o was labouri n g un der th e hydrophobia
In form er ages these am ulets were very c o m
m o n t ho ugh fe w h ave attai n ed the celebri ty o f
the Le e Pe nny In a lis t o f gold and je w els
s tole n o ut o f the E arl of M ari s c h all s h o us e o f
Be nhol m e (1 6 24) by S ir Al exan der S trachan o f
T h orn to n Dam e Margaret Ogilby Countess o f
Mari s c h all h is s po us e and Ro bert Strachan
d o ctor o f phys ick i s ane j as per stan e for stei m
i ng o f blood e st i m at to 500 F re nch c rownes
of

witchc raft, i n m any

Cri m i n al Recor d

1 02 H I S TOR Y

In t h e

OF

WI T CH CRA F T

IN S

CO TLA N D

e year Cath ari ne Oswald spouse t o

R obe rt Atch i s o n i n N i ddri e w as bro ught t o
trial! fo r be i n g habi te an d r ep u te a w itch an d
de fam ed as such by Elizabeth Steven son ali as
To pp o c k w h o w as b ur n t fo r th e crim e h ersc ll
To p
an i n ti m ate ally o f the said Cath arin e
d
at O sw ald an d s h e
ock
decl
a
re
th
ere
to
w
p
gether i n th at great s to rm o n the borro w in g
days i n an n o 1 6 25 o n the Brae o f the Saltp ans
a kn ow n warlock
an d Alex an der Ham ilto n
eve n n o w u n der tri all depon es th at t h e pan n el
took h i m o n e n ight to a de n betw ix t N i ddri e
an d Ed m i s to n w here the dc v i ll h ad try st ed h i r
w here he appe ared rs t to the m like a fo all an d
the n like a m an an d appoin ted a n e w dye t at
The fo urth article o f i ndictm en t
S altc o i t M uire
ret Th re i p lan d co m i n g to the
h eirs th at M arga
p ann el fra Joh n Clerk hir m as ter t o bid hir
take away hir kai ll th at sh e h ad gro wan d i n
S traiton bec aus e the said Joh n h ad take n the
m iln e an d yard lyan d thereto ; sh e re p lye d no t
o nly th at sh e w o uld n o t take aw ay hir kaill
but also th at sh e hoped i n God th at n othin g
sho uld gro w i n th at yard there after ; accordi ng
to whilk c ursed p redi c ti on for fo ur years a fter
by hir s orc eri e n either kai ll lin t he m p n o r
other grain e w ould grow therein though double
labou red an d so wen
The fth article h eirs
that Tho m as Sco t p euderer i n Edi nb urgh going
sam

CA TH ERIN E

OS W

A LD S

I N DI C TM EN T

1 03

to a m ercat m et the pann el at the

Pepper m iln e b urne wh o said to h i m that h e
looked as good w eill like as when Be ssi e D obie
w as livi ng ; an d partin g wi th her h e i mm ediately
by hir so rc eri e fell so strangely s ick th at he w as
able to go n o furde r; an d bei n g carried o n a
coal horse to N e wbiggi ng he lay there till th e
m orro w at w hilk ti m e a w ife cam e i n to h i m an d
told hi m he was fors poken The sixth article
beire th at the p an n el being offen ded at Adam
F airbair n an d h i s w ife d welli ng i n St Cath erin e s
threaten ed that sh e would be avenged u pon them ;
co nform w hereto sh e m ade t heir t w o kye run
m ad an d ram m i s h to deid an d al s o m ade a ge n tle
m an s bai rn e th at they h ad a fos te ri ng run w ood
S eve n th article h ei rs th at the pann el
an d die
dwellan d un der Willi am Heriot i n L assw ade
delt w ith t h e said William s m aster to h ave tain e
hi s ro um e over h i s head ; but n o t prev aili ng sh e
re m oved her s el fe and hir fam ily fra that place
th re at n i ng Willi am an d telli n g hi m that he
sh o uld re w hir itti n g
w here upon i m m ediately
th e ti m e o f her itti ng Willi am s ki ll full o f
corn e s took re th rough her so rc e ri e I tem hi s
wi fe i n a frant i c k h um o ur dro w n ed h i rs elfe
Eight article
and o n e o f hi s hors e shot t o deid
h eirs th at Joh n N i dri e se rv i t o r to Patrick He art
i n the C ann o gat e being 22 w eeks s ick o f t h e
tre m bling fever cam e hom e to h i s m other i n
on a

m orn i n g

104 H IS TOR Y

OF WI TCH CRA F T

IN S

CO TLA N

ighbours regrettin g h i s
do llo ur by cam e th e p an n el an d as king t h e
caus e o f their lam en tation sh e told them a n d
h i m that i f they w o uld follo w hir co uns ell s h e

u
w o ld c ure h i m m o n
which was th at he sh o u l d
pluck u p a n ettle by the root and lay it o n t h e
h i egat e side an d s tale u pon i t three s e v era l!
m orn i ngs ere th e sun ro s e an d si e th at he w e r e
back at the hous e ere it rose ; w hilk directio n b e
follo w i n g it c ure d h i m which c an be i m p uted t o
n o vir tu e i n t h e n ettle or us i ng o f it b ut only to
the p e nn ell s enchantm e n t
O s wald s lawyers e ntered i n to very prolix an d
learn ed defe n ces alle dgin g th at as the l as t
es to it h ad been so the
article o f acc usatio n
m os t it w o uld i n fer w ould be a su perstition bu t
n o w itc hcraft ; fo r w h at so rc e ri e i s it to plu ck u p
a n ettle by the root an d to lay it do w n an d
there upon ? s pecially seein g the dittay
s tale
m e nt io n s n o w ords to h ave bee n uttered by the
p ann ell fo r ch arm in g th e saids n ettle w hich
tho i s used by them to be don e ; yea fo r a
recipe to the so rc n esse o f eyes called the s t yen
i ts ordi n ar to caus e the m s tale i n such an d s uch
p arts w hereby they i m agin e the effect w ill
N everthele ss Cath ari ne was fo un d
follow
g uilt
the advocate fo r the i nstruction o f t h e
assyze prod u cin g the declaration o f t w o w i t
n e ss e s th at bei n g i n the t o lbui th saw M r Joh n
Edm i sto un e , wh e re t h e

ne

'

1 06 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRA FT

IN S

CO TL A N D

to strik e t h e gro und w ith it an d cry Ris e u p

fo ul thief
A ve ry un civil m ode o f co nj ur e
tion truly an d i m probable as dictated by Lucife r
hi m self Ho wever Alexan der decl ared that h e
could no t ge t rid o f hi m when rai sed i n this
m an n er till he gave h i m a quick c at dog o r
other som e such like thi ng O n o ne occas ion
Satan chas tis ed h i m s everely w ith a c udgel The
w i zard als o con fes sed th at h avi n g co n ceived
a deadly h atred agains t E li zabeth L aws on Lady
O rm is to n fo r h avi ng re fused h i m a n e alm ou s
an d called h i m a c u str o u n e c a r l he w ith s o m e
w itche s rai s ed the devil i n Salto n Wood wh o
appe arin g like a m an i n gray clothe s gave h i m
the bottom o f a bl ue cl ue an d desired h i m to lay
it at the lady s door ; w hich he an d the w o m e n
h avi n g don e the lady an d her daughter w ere
s oo n thereafter bereft o f their n at ural ! lyfe
S everal other cu rio us particul ars re s pectin g Hat
t erai c k are to be fo un d i n Satan s I n vi s ible
World
D uring the reig n o f Ki n g He n ry the Fo urth o f
F ran ce s om e w i zards o f th at coun try w ere c o n
v i c t e d o f o fferin g to the devil s u ch sle n der pro
i
i
t
at i o n s as a live beet le an d p ari ngs o f n ail s
p
Dr Cotta s Tr yall of Wi tc hc r aft
Alie N i sbet i n Hilto n s uffered death fo r
w itchcraft an d ad ultery (the las t o f w hich sh e
con fest) i n the year 1 6 3 2 It was s worn agai nst
,

M RS

RA E S

I N DI C T M E N

1 07

h er

th at sh e tooke the p ai n es o ff a w om an i n
travel! by som e ch arm es an d h orrible w ords ;
am o n gs w hich thir ware s o m e the bon es to the
m
ll
d
h
d
!
n
a
a
r
e
h
l
t
t
e
e
v
i
l
yed
the
n
t
e
s
u
o
a
d
c
l

o n an other w o m an wh o straight died thereo f ;

bu t Alie w o uld n o t ackn ow ledge the truth o f thi s
T wo ye ars after wards the kin g s
acc usatio n
together w ith Hom e o f Ayton and
advocate
Joh n Ram say o f E di n t on h i s in form ers p urs ued
Elizabeth Bathgate s pous e to Al exan der Rae
m altm an i n Bi m on th fo r s orcery
The dittay
co n tain ing 1 8 several articles i s as follo ws : l m o
George S pro t w obster i n Bim onth havi n g claith
o f the p ann e ll s an d keepin g it lo n ger th an sh e
expecte d sh e cam e an d v i o le ntli e took it fro m
h i m an d p ro m i st to do hi m an e ill t urn e ; fo r
perform i ng w hereof sh e cam e o ne m orn ing to h i s
house w he n he w as fra hom e an d h i s w ife lyin g
w ith h i s bai rn e i n the bed ; s h e n ipped the
bai rn e i n the thie till i t skirled an d o f w hich
n i p it n ever co n v ale s ced
but dw am e d thereof
I tem th at the said
an d died by hir so rc e ri e
S prott s w ife h avin g give n an egg to her bairn ie
that cam e o u t o f the pannell s ho us e there did
s trike o ut a lu m p e about the bign e ss o f a g oo s e
egg th at con ti n ued o n the bai rne w hile it died
and w as occas ion ed by hir e nch an ted egg
The
2d article bears th at sh e thre ate n ed the said
George Sprot that he s hould n ever get h i s S un
,

1 08 HI S TOR Y O F WI T CH CRAFT I N S CO TLA N D

day s m eat t o t h e fo re

ord
i ngly c am to pass by bi t so rc e ri e h e falli ng i n to
e xtre m e po ve rty the reafte r
3 d article bears
that o ne William D o naldso n h aving c alled her a
w i tc h and sh e runn ing aft e r h i m to s tri ke hi m
for it and he o ut run n i ng hir sh e i n a fury c rye d
aft er h i m
Weill si r th e devil be i n yo ur feit
whe reo n h e s traight gre w im poten t an d cripple
4th i s fo r laying a grievous s ick n e ss o n Joh n
Gray s be irn e whereo f it dyed becaus e they
hin dered yo u and your h us ban d to big o n t h e
gavell o f their barne
5th i s th at Margare t
Hom e s po us e to Mr Joh n Auc h te rlo ny cam e t o
the pan n ell s h usban d t o borro w L 6 from h i m
t o help hir to buy a hors e with so m e m ore
sh e h ad o f hir o w n w hich the p an n el di s uade d
h i r h usban d fra yet h e did it ; w hereo n sh e
w e n t to the door w here t h e hors e was s tan d
i ng an d threat e ne d th at the horse shoul d n ever
do them good ; conform e w hereto i t died s ud
de n li e an d s wat to deid
6 th i s th at the sai d
Margret co m i ng agai n to borrow L 1 7 to buy
an e o x sh e oppo s ed h i r vehe m e n tly
an d w he n
hi r h usban d agai ns t hir w i ll w o uld len d s h e
bew itc hed the said c ow that it ro uted to deid ;
an d that th at n ight it died
there w as w om en
se e n d ancin g o n the riggi ng o f the byre
7th
i s th at the sam e Margret h avin g borrow ed
m or e m o n ey fra th e p an n ell a husb an d w hich
by h is w ork ;

w hich

ac c

1 1 0 H I S TOR Y

th at

sh e

WI TCH CRA F T I N S CO TL A N D

OF

a s

w itc h

1 3 i s fo r

b urn ing
th e m ilne o f Eim o uth sh e and h i r other c o m
1
i
4
i
c es w itch es w ith her
s fo r killin g D avid
l
p
Hynd w h o was w atchi ng th e boats at the t ym e
o f the herri n g drav e o n the san ds o f Bi m o n th
an d th at fo r fe ar he
s h e and her co m plice s ;
1 5 i s th at sh e h ad a
s ho uld h ave p ut the m o ut
horse sh oe layed i n a secret part o f the door
which th e dc vill gave hir assuri ng hi r as long as
th at lay there all hir b usin ess w ithin doors
1 6 i s th at Willi am Me arn e s a
s h o uld pros per
n o t orious w arlock and wh o be in g to be t ryc d
h
u
t
an d s o n hi m self at the de vi ll s in stigat ion
p
declared th at the pan n el w as a w itc h and that
he h ad see n h i r at several o f their as sem blies
1 7 i s that sh e w ith other witc hes w ere c o n
v eye d by the dc v i ll i n to George H uldi e s ship
which they s un k w ith s un dri e pe rs ons the rein
1 8 article i s th at the p an n ell bein g c on fro n ted
with sundri e other w itches they avo w ed i n h i r
fac e th at sh e w as w i th the m at t h e cas tin g aw ay
Won derful to relate this
o f the forsaid s hip
w om an w as acquitted !
In the year 1 6 3 8 o n e Jam es Spalding re s id
i n g i n Dalkeith w as h ange d fo r t h e m urder o f
William S aidler by s traiking h i m throw t he
te m ples w ith a whinger o n t h e Hie s tric t o f
Dalkeith and fo r i n vai di ng an d woun di n g M r

B
v
Ro b ert
urn et
ad o c at
Cri m i nal Rec o r d
was

icker

'

J A M ES SP A LDI N G B U I ED

A LI VE

111

Thi s i s the Sp alding o f w ho m Sin clair tells s o

w on derful a story i n h i s Satan s I n vi s ible w orld
Afte r h avin g i n v ai n begg ed m ercy fro m Lo rd
Traquair he w as co nde mn ed to be h anged
w hich s ee m s to h ave extre m ely w o u nded h is
pride as he excl ai m ed O h m ust I die like a
do g ! W hy w as I n o t s e n te n c ed to loos e m y
he ad ?
A n d o n the s caffold he prayed

Lord let thi s s oul o f m i n e n ever depart from

this body till it be reco nciled w ith thee
A ccordi ngly it w as fo un d i m possi b le to s trangle
h i m an d he w as b uri ed alive m akin g
s uch
a r um blin g and t u m bli n g i n h i s grave th at
the very earth w as rai s ed an d the m ules
were s o hea ved u p th at they could h ardly keep
the m do wn After thi s h is ho us e at the e ast
ho
t
e nd o f the to wn w as freq ue n ted w ith a
s
g
T ho mas C ro m bie s o m c tym e
In the sam e ye ar
porter an d s e rvan d to s ue n oble an d m yc hty
carle Joh n Earle o f Traq uai re hi s m aj e sty s
great th esaurer o f Scotl an d w as p urs ued at the
i ns tan ce o f the king s advoc ate fo r h am e s ucken
dem em bration an d other c rym es u t i nfra The
said Tho m as fo r h is le wdn ess e bein g s h ute o ut
o f m y Lord Traq uair e s s er vice an d th re ate n ed
he i n revenge
n ever to be s ee n there again
th e ir o f kn o w in g th at m y lo rd was at co urt i n
England cam e to the Cas tle o f Dalkeith wh ere
h e kn e w w as m y Ladie Traq uai re and hir

1 1 2 H IS TORY

OF

WI

TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

child re n ; an d by w ay o f ham es ucke n w ith a

w hi nger and other we apo n s e n tered
s w ord
w ithi n the co urt o f t h e said palace an d heari n g
th at the l adie w as i n the garden rushed therein
an d c am e to wards hir w ith hi s drawn s w ord
N o w I sh all h ave am e n d s
utte ri n g thir word s
o f thee an d the n s t rak at hir w ith i n ten tio n to
kill w hich certai nly he w o uld h ave don e h ad
n o t a s ervan t o f the l adie s there be syde c om e
betw ixt hir an d it and wh ich lighted o n the
s aid Mr Joh n Law s o n h i s sho ulder an d w o un ded
h i m s ore w he reo n they fell a s tr ugli ng d uri n g
w hich t ym e t h e l adie m ade hir e s cape to the
hous e an d i n w hich the said Tho m as w ith the
w hinger gave h i m agai n t w o great w oun ds an d
left h i m soundin g i n h i s blood an d c am e s ei ki ng
the ladie again where falli ng o n an other se rvand
he m ost c rueli e m u ti lat h i m o f hi s th um b He
was co n vict an d s e n te nced t o be h an ge d at

Dalkeith
J u sti c i a r y Rec o r d S ee al s o Baillie s
Letters
A bout this ti m e m any w itches are taken i n
Ans tr uther Dysart C ulros S t An dre ws and
other parts o n the coas t s ide o f F ife They m ade
s tran ge con fe ss io n s an d w ere b urn t to the death
S palding s Hi story vol ii p 1 02 O ne John
Brugh a n oto rious w arlock i n the parachi n o f
was
Fo ss o q uh y by the s pac e o f 3 6 years
The same
worri ed at a stake an d br u n t 1 6 43
,

1 1 4 H I S TOR Y o r

WI T C H CRA F T

IN 8

60 TLA N D

death c o nstantli e upon the p ann ell :

2d article i s th at s h e l aid upon B eatrix N is bet a
fe arfull dis ease s o th at sh e lo s t the p o wer of her
becaus e sh e p ayi ng the said Agnes t wo
to ng ue
dollars o wi ng hir by hir father w o uld no t gi v e h i r
ann ual re n t there for : The 3 d i s th at sh e l aid a
rievo
u
s i ck n e ss u po n Jo n et Gri n to n w ho m ye
s
g
threaten ed th at sh e should n ever eat m ore i n
this w orld because sh e h ad brought again t w o
herri ng sh e h ad bo ught from yo u they n o t b eing
c aller
and s ought bac k hir 8 pe nn ie s an d o f
w hich sh e died w itho ut e ati n g or d ri nki ng c o n
form e to yo u r thre aten i ng : The 4 th i s th at ye
c am e i n to vi s it Joh n Buc h an n an s bairu o bein g
s ick o f a
n d bad the father an d m o the r
a
l
si e
a
p
go he n t h e ho us e a w h ylle an d pray to God fo r
h i m and i n the m ean w h ylle ye s taid with h i m
an d w he n they ret urn e d they fan d h i m viole n tly
s ick th at he co uld n either s t i rr h an d n o r foot an d
that by you r dev ilri e an d fan d o n h i s righ t
buttock abo ut the bri dth o f on e s lo o fe the sam e
s o s ore as i f a col10 pe h ad bee n tai n o u t o f it ;
an d he died w ithin 8 day s i n gre at dolou r : T h e
5th i s th at fallin g a s cold i n g w ith Be ss ie Cu rrie
the said bai rn e s m other about t h e chan gi ng o f a
s ixpe n ce w hich
i
n
a
lledged
to
be
ill
ye
gre
t
a
e
y
rage th re t t n e d that ye s ho uld gar the dev i ll tack
a bite o f hir : The 6 t h i s th at ye l aid a g rievo us
s ick n ess o n hir h us b and Jo B uch an n an th at he
w y te

of his

bran t

A GN ES

F YN N I E S

wh o lle

DI TTA Y

1 15

if h e h ad

been i n a
fyre fo r taki ng h i s w i fe Be s sie C urrie s p art
agai n s t y o u and bo as tin g to c as t
ove
r the
u
o
y
s tai r
an d c alli n g
o
itch
e
eo
ye
u
a
w
w
h
r
n
;
y
t h re t n ed h i m to m ake h im repe n t h i s s pee c h es ;
a n d fo r taki ng t h e
sam e o h im
be co m ing
the n ext day an d d ri nki ng a pin t o f ai ll w ith
u
a
n
d
n
u
f
a
i
telli
g
th
t
tor
e
t
d
o
o
u
m
o
n
e
y
y
y
h i m s o an other n ight he sho uld m ake all t h e
t o u n heir te ll o f it ; whereo n he w as w e i ll The
7 th i s th at the s aid Joh n bei ng o e n ded at
o
c
a
u
se
n
h
i
w
be
ye
o
ld
thri
t
i
e
u
u
o
a
w
t
s
s
f
y
l 2 pen nie c ai k ye bad h i m go his w ay an d as
h e h ad b e g un w ith w itche s s o he s ho uld e n d ;
af
t e r w hich threa te ni ng he s treight co ntrac te d
a lo ng an d grievo us s i c k n e ss e whereo f he w as
lyke to m elt a w ay i n s we i ti n g
T h e 8 th i s
t h at i n yo ur s coldi ng with Eu ph am e Kin cai d
ye calli ng hir a dr unkard an d sh e call in g yo u
a w itc h ye r eplie d
Th at if ye w as a w itch
s h e an d h i r s s h o uld h ave better caus e
t o cal l
ye s o ; accordi ngly a gret j iet fell o n the said
Euph am e s daugh ter s leg be i n g playi n g n ear
yo ur h o use an d crushed the s am e and that by
yo ur s o rcery The 9 th i s th at ye e n di ng a co m pt
w ith I s o bell A tc h eso ne an d becaus e ye c o uld
not
all yo u r u n re as o nable de m an ds y e bad
t
e
g
t h e dc vi ll rid e abo ut the to u ne w ith hir an d
h i r s ; w h e re upon the n i xt day sh e brak h i r
a

ight

as

1 1 6 H I S TOR Y

WI TCH CRAFT

OF

IN S

CO TLA N D

by an e fall fro m a horse an d ye cam e and

saw hir and s aid
Si e th at ye say no t th at I
h ave be w itc hed yo u as other neighbo urs say
The l oth i s that Ro bert Wat deaco n o f the
c ordi n ers
h aving fyn ed Robe rt P urs ell yo ur
ye cam e w here he and
so n e i n law fo r a riot
th e re s t o f the craft ware c o n ve i n e d an d c ur ed
the m m o st o utragi o usly w hereon Robert Wat
broke the c ap upon yo ur head (Se e Appen d ix
N o te 5) s i n ce w hich tym e he fell aw ay i n h is
w orldly m eans till lon g afte r he bei n g i n yo ur
good so n s ho use w here ye like ways was ye
i f he re m em bered s in ce he broke the c ap
as ked
o n yo ur he ad ? and th at he h ad n ever th ri ve n
s in ce n o r s ho uld till yo u h ad am e n ds o f hi m
w hereon he bei n g recon ciled w ith yo u he pro s
pered i n h i s w orldly e state as be fore
The
l 1 th i s the l ayi n g o n o f a grievo us s ickn ess o n
Christian Harlaw fo r s e n din g back a plack s
w orth o f salt w hich ye h ad s en t hir it bei ng t o o
little ; ye havin g th reate ned hir that it should
be the deare s t s alt ever sh e saw w ith her eyes
an d the n at h ir e n tre aty ye cam e to her ho us e
w hereo n C hri s
an d sh e becam e p res e n t li e w eill
tian said that if ought ai lle d hir there after she
The 1 2th i s that C hris tian
s ho uld w yt yo u
Sym pso n e bei ng o w i ng yo u s o m e m on ey an d
because sh e craved only eight dayes delay to
at s h e
n e d i n gre at rage
it
ye
hre
te
th
a
t
a
p y

leg

'

1 1 8 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRA FT

IN S

CO TLA N D

the child w hos e n am e ye got n o t w as pas t eleve n

years ere sh e co uld go The 1 8 th i s th at ye
havi ng fall i n i n a c o n trav ersi e w ith Margaret
Willi am so n e ye m ost outrageou s ly w ished t h e
de v i ll to blo w hir bli n d ; after w hich sh e by
your s o rc er ie took a grievo us si c kn esse w h e ro f
The 1 9 th i s fo r layi n g a m ad
s h e w e n t bli nd
An dre w Wilson con form e to yo ur
on
n e ss
threate n i ng w i shi ng the de vill to ryv e the s oul
of hi s
m
t
e
hich
ord
the
w
w
s
out o f h i m
(
y
fre n ezi e w are ever i n hi s m o uth ) an d th at
because he h ad falle n i n a brauli ng w ith your
daughter I tem fo r taking o ff it The 2oth
art icle i s a ge n eral ! fo r be i ri n g co m p an ie w ith
t h e dc v ill the s e 28 ye ars byp as t fo r con s u ltin g
w ith h i m fo r layi ng o n an d t aki n g o ff di s ease s
als w eill o n m e n as w o m e n an d be s ti al l w hich i s
I tem it i s con fe s t by h i rself
n o t to u rly k n ow n
th at sh e h as bee n c o m m o nli e called a ran k w itch
thes e m any years bygane an d h as bee n sua
di am e d rep ute and h alde n
The un happy c ulprit s de fen ce s w ere lon g an d
able
Am o ng other proofs o f her i n n oce n ce it
was alleged th at tho ugh m any w itch e s h ad bee n
bur nt at Leith an d Edi nb u rgh fo r thes e tw e n ty
years past s h e w as n ever acc used by any o f
them ; an d that w hen her house was searched
by Bailie Joh n Ellies
there was n either p i c t ur
to ad n o r any s uch thing found th erei n w hich
,

'

OF

T H E D EA T H

CH

ARLES FI RS T

1 19

"

er an y w i tch in the w orld w as u sed to p rac tize

N e verthel es s sh e w as co n de m n ed to be w o rried
at a s take and the n b urn t to as he s

ev

C HAPTE R VI

an

The

to

1 6 45

Dea th of Cha rles I

a nd

an

Ci vi l

Wa r

H idde n

P redic ted

Ra ms ay , C lo c hma hc r Thc Ma rq uis

a
o
n
t
r
os
e
i
M
f

shlc
u
n
r
h
a
e
c
d
t
e
t
s
a
e
n
a
l
e
S
S
t
G
n
er
L
e
s
H
o
u
se
i

g
g
y
P rec og m tio n of A pp ro ac h i ng Dea th The Earl of H o l

la nd s Dea th T wo
Rem a rha bles z\ ume ro us Wi tc h
Bur m ng s o n the Res tora t i o n of Cha rles I IIThe Cas es
o
M
a
r
a
t
s
a
n
re
B
r
so
a
b
e
l
a
m
s
a
n
d
a
e
R
M
r
a
I
r
t
,
f
,
y
g
y
g
o

'

'

Il utc hes o n

WHILST these unh allowed practi s es we n t o n in a

m ore private c ircle the po we rs o f d ark n es s w ere
b usy with the greates t p e rs o nages i n the three
kingdo m s ; b ut this blac k m ass o f w icked ness
c am e to a poi n t b e fore W hiteh all whe re a kin g
w as p ublicly m urdere d by a m asked execu tio n er
o f th at p arty w h i c h bro ught
a lively e m ble m
I t i s said th at s o m e lion s i n
h i m to the block
th e to w er died at th e s m ell o f a h andker c h ie f
dipt i n the blood o f Kin g Ch arle s th e F irs t
Wo n de rs of N a tu re by W T urner 1 6 97
C h arl es s fate i f w e are to believe Lilly h ad
bee n predic ted to h i s m oth er Q ueen Ann e by
or I nglis a Sco tsm an as th at o f
o ne E n g lis h
,

'
WI TOH C RA F T

1 20 H IS T O R Y OF

IN S CO T LA N D

B uckingham w as fore told by a Highlan d see r

wh o said
Pish he w ill com e to n othing ; I
s ee a dag e r i n h is breas t
b
ey
u
A
r
M
s

sc
a
l
g
lamies p 27 5 Th e mis eries o f th e civi l w ar w as
also fo re sho wn by pro digie s o f a mons te r s een i n
t h e river Do n ; the d isappe arance o f s e a gull s
from th e lakes n ear Abe rdee n ; lo ud tucki ng o f
dr um s heard i n M ar and i n a s eaman s house at
Peterhead where trumpets bagpipes and tolli ng
o f bells gav e additio nal horror to the s o un d

Spaldi ng s Hi story
O n e o f the ridi c ulo us purs uits o f th at time was
s u pp os ed t o be
a s earch after hidde n tre as ure
guarded by spiri ts with all the eleme ntal po w ers
I n the year 1 63 4 Davy
at their comm an d
Ra m say h i s majesty s clockm aker m ade an at
tempt t o discover a precious depos it s uppose d to
be conceale d i n the cloiste r o f Westminster
Abbe y b ut a viole n t s torm o f w in d p ut a stop

Lilly s Life p 47
This
t o h i s operatio ns
Ramsay according to O s born e i n h i s Traditional
M emorials used to deliver mo ney and watc hes
t o be recompens ed w ith pro t w he n Ki ng James
so n ear
s hould si t o n the Pope s ch air at R o m e
di d he apprehe n d (by as trology doubtle ss ) the
downfall o f the p ap al pow er Hi s s o n wrote
s everal books o n as trological s ubj ec ts o f w hich
h is A str o lo gi a Res tau r ata i s very e n tertai n i ng
In the pre face he says that h i s fath er w as
,

1 22 H I S T O R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T IN S CO T LA N D

co un tess i s said t o h ave eloped w ith a

band o f gypi e s o w i n g to t h e glam ou r exercise d
by their leader The ballad compos ed o n thi s
s u bject i s w ell k n o w n ; but if chro n ology w e re
n o t agai ns t it I s ho uld b e lieve th at a poem by
Captai n Alexan der M on tgomery author o f t he
C herrie an d S lae h ad als o bee n w ritte n o n the
s am e e v e n t
It i s te rmed A Ladyi s Lamen ta
tion an d begi ns th us
Scottis h

i
b
u
ld
I
my
icked
r
w
a
r
e
t
W
w
d
a
a
Q
b
f
u
n
h
i
s
f
!
p
my
r
l
thr
w
rd
threed
a
s
a
t
e
a
a
a
t
l
t
a
l
Q
I w e s but skan tli e e n tri t i n thi s eard
N o r had o ffe n di t q uh i ll I felt hir fe e d
In hir un h appy h an ds sh o h e ld my h e id
An d s trai ki t bakw ard w o o de rsh i n s my h air
Sy n e p ro p h e c ye d I s o uld as pyre an d s p e i d
u
h
i
l
k
u
e
n
n
s
do
bl
e
te
c
b
ith
ith
ir
e
a
s
a
n
a
n
d
s
a
w
s
Q
For I w es m atc hi t W ith my m atch an d mair
N o w orldly w om an n e ver w e s s o w eill
I w es ac c o u nt i t co unte ss but c om pai r
i
i
n
h
r
h
ll

u
e
W
l
d
m
f
ckle
F
ort
rom
her
he
l
u
e
W
e
Q
Ran k an d re n o un i n littl e ro um sh o ran g d
An d Lady Lu crece i n a C re s s e i d c h an g d &c
uh o m s u

The Marqui s o f M on tro s e i s said to h ave be e n

co nden t o f s uccess i n h i s last un fortunate exp e
dition through some fallacio us pro phecies to
the belief o f w hich he was greatly addicted
,

T H E M A R Q UI S 0 F M O N TR OS E

1 23

ring him that he should con quer S cotl an d

an d from th e n ce co n d uct an ar m y to s ettle th e

kin g i n all h is domi nions Ech ard s Hi s tm y

At this h e ro s birth h i s m other co ns ulted w ith
witche s an d it w as predicted th at h e w o uld
tro uble all Scotl and H e i s said al s o co ntin ues
th e au thor o f t h e S taggeri ng S ta te
to h av e
e ate n a to ad w hil s t h e was
a s uc kin g child
In m ature r li fe h e did wors e h e s wallo w e d
t h e C ove n an t
Th e follo wi ng c urio us d e tail
res e cti n g
n e ral
a p aritio n
f
al
the
riv
ge
o
a
p
p
w ho se m ilitary fam e was ob s c ured by s homi n
a ble act s o f cru e lty i s e xtrac te d from a D i urn al
o f the tim e
E di n burgh 4 i h J an u a r y 1 6 4 9
There w as l ately u po n a Lord s day a v e ry s trange
s ight at St J o h n s t o n s at w hich to wn Li e ute n an t
G e neral D avid Leshley hath an ho us e hims el f
be i ng the n at ch urch where t w o o f h i s m e n
be in g at home they saw (as they tho ught) an
e ns ig n fas te ned l ik e a s tan d ard u po n t h e to w e r
o f hi s ho us e w hich c aus e d them to go u
h
vi
g
n
a
p
n o t k n o wn o f any s uch thi ng
n
th
Whe
u
t
e re
p
th ey came u p the re as they say they bei ng o n
the top o f the t o w e r look ed upo n it an d there
s eemed to be the pict ure o f their m as ter Lie u t
Ge n e ral D avid L ri di ng upo n h i s ch argi ng hors e
i n h i s b ue c oat an d i n th at p os t ur e i n w hich
he us e d t o m arch an d U po n it also the m otto o f
hi s o wn colours
O n e o f the m e n goin g n ear to
assu

"

'

1 24 H I S TO R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T I N S CO T LA N D

the agge to hold i t i n hi s h an d or touch i t

before he did touch it the staffs and colo ur an d
all fe ll do wn i n to the mi ds t o f t h e garden
w hether they w e n t do wn to take it u p ag ai n
When they c ame i nto the garde n an d
thought to have fo un d it there it was gon e ;
and n o n e k n o w s any thi ng more o f it o n ly
w h at thes e t wo th us saw
They w en t pres ently
to the ch urch to tell th e ir mas ter w h at they h ad
an d w h at be fell th e m an d to as k him
s ee n
it an d w hether he kn ew o f any such
abo u t
This n e we s hath m uch
e ns ig n se t u p there
am as ed them here abo uts ; s ome m akin g a go o d
construction o f it to Scotlan d others bad an d
good to E nglan d S o m e thin k th at the m en w ere
s ed uced by an evil s pirit an d s ome thin k they
are very k nave s
Si r Rich ard N apier des cen ded from the
M erchi sto n family an d a doctor o f medicin e i n
Lon don d urin g t h e reign o f Kin g C harle s I saw
h i s o wn app aritio n as d ead an d l aid o ut u pon a
This i s
bed a little w hile previo us to h i s death
men tion ed by Aubrey w h o also relates that
the beautiful Lady D iana R ich daughter to the
Earl o f Hollan d as sh e w as w alki ng i n her
father s garde n at Ke ni n gto n to take the fresh
being
abou t el e ve n o clock
ai r be fore di n n er
then very w ell met w ith her o wn apparition
habit an d every thi ng as i n a looki ng glass
,

1 26 H I S T O R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D

the S eco nd migh t afford to the younger

females i n h i s domi nio n s it certai nly bro ught
n othi ng save torture an d de s tru ctio n to the un
fo rt un ate old w ome n o r w itche s o f Scotlan d
immediately o n th e res toration
agai ns t w hom
in n umerable w arrants w ere issued forth ; and
fo r s ome years the Cas tlehill o f Edi n burgh an d
th e heigh ts i n the v ici n ity blazed w ith the dry
c arcas es
o f thos e
mi se rable victims ; n o r was
this pers ecution con n ed to Mi d Lothian but
w idely exte nded over the n orthe rn co un ties
w here ign oran t j ustices o f the peac e abette d
by foolis h clergym e n d o omed almos t every old
wom an di lated as it w as c alled by s om e o f
her s piteful n eighbours t o the torture an d the
s take
Si r George Macke nzie afr ms th at h e
kn ew a w itch burn t because the lady w as
j ealous o f h er w ith her husban d
O f the tri al s
for w itchc raft i n Edi n burgh after th e re storation
a fe w extrac ts are s ubjoi n ed
Augus t 1 6 6 1 Margaret Bryso n and s everal other
Bry
w i tche s w ere co n d e mn ed and executed
s o n s cas e
s ay s the abridger o f the C rimi n al
Record I n ote dow n to be a w arn in g again s t
passio n an d imprecation s ; sh e havin g fallen o u t
w ith her h usband for s e lli ng her c o w sh e w e n t o ut
i n a p as s io n to the door o f he rh o use i n the n ight
time an d there di d i m p re c at that God or the
de v i ll might take her from her h usban d aft er
C harles

WI T C H CR AF T

T H RE E CA S ES O F

1 27

immediately the dev ill appeare d to her

an d th re ate n e d to t ake h er s o ul a nd body if s h e
e n tered n o t i n to hi s s ervice ; w h e re u po n im m e
di ate ly sh e cove nan ted with him and re n un c e d
I n the cas e o f I sabel Ram say it
her b aptism
that sh e co nv e rs e d w ith the d e vi l
app eared
the devil say
and re c e ive d a s ixpe n ce from h i m
i ng th at God bad h i m giv e her th at ; an d he
h o w the mi ni s te r did ?
asked
Sh e co nfess ed
th at sh e re ceived a dollar from th e devil which
thereafter sh e fo un d to be a s klai t s to n e Agai ns t
Margare t H utch es o n it i s lybe lle d th at s h e
th rea te n ed Joh n Boo s t fo r calli n g her a w i tch
and W ithin a fe w d ay s thereafte r by thro wi n g a
pie ce o f raw e sh i nto h is ho use w hich w as
b urn t i n th e re (after dogs an d catts had
r e fus ed to e at it) a di seas e se i ze d o n h is c at
w hich m ade h e r to ght an d s w eat to death ;
th at sh e threate ned Joh n Bell fo r co n te ndin g
w ith h e r h usb and an d imm e diate ly thereafte r
three cats e nte red to h is ho us e w h i c h w e re like
to devo ur th e m w h e re upo n t w o o f his child re n
die d and h is wi fe co n tracte d a lo ng d is eas e ; th at
s h e app e ar ed se veral n ights at mid night c o mbin g
her head at th e res ide d o ors b e ing sh ut and
a r i h ted h i s w ife ; an d the las t o f the s e n ights
g
by her to uchi ng th e w ife s p ap w h e n her child
w as s ucki ng the child die d
In the City R ec ord s o f Edi nb u rgh afte r a gift
which

'

1 28 H IS T OR Y O F WI T CH CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D
of

es ch e at grante d by the co un cil to t he baron

bailie o f C ano ngate o f all heritable an d move
thereof
able goo ds be lo n gi n g to t he w itches
h
u
f
1
1
t
J
ly
1
ollo
a
R
e
port
de
by
6
w
s
6
m
a
7
)
(
William Joh nsto n e baron bailie o f Can o ngat e
co n cern in g Barbara Myln e w hom Jan et Allen
burn t fo r w itc hcraft di d once se e come i n at
th e Water gate i n liken e ss o f a catt an d did
c han ge her garme nt un der her awe n s tai re an d
This and the other yi ng
w e nt i n to her hous e
reports caus ed the bai lie to thin k it proper to
detai n the said Barbara i n pris on til l he
The gift o f e sc heat
ac quai n te d the co u n cil
n o do ubt h ad i ts proper w eight w ith him ; but
he i s d esired to take cautio n fo r her appearan ce
an d to liberate her till s o m e co urs e be t ake n fo r
furt her exami nation
An othe r w itch Jan et C ock w as accused o f
m aki n g m an y pers on s o f both sexes ru n m ad
'
I tem sh e killed a ch i ld o f William Scott s
fos tered by Hele n T urn b ull h avin g predicted the
same by the s e w ords th at she (Helen ) sho uld get
sh e
he r leave fr o m her m as ter and a lash
havi ng con ceived h atred agains t William Mitc hell
fo r s mitin g h e r s aid sh e w o uld s e e him h an ged
an d m ake a sh am eful e n d ; an d accord i n gly he
She k e pt company
w as han ge d at D alkeith
w ith the devil an d came w ith hi m an d s everal
o f h i s as soci ate s to Eli zabeth Pri n gle s ho use
,

T
L
D
I
R
A
F
T
I
S
O
A
N
H
H
C
N
C
O
F
I
W
T
C
Y
S
TOR
3
0
1

to o ne anoth e r and they comm an ded Mar

garet Brun to n to go from them ; an d that after
Jan et an d the dog o f the ho use h ad been s om e
time together i n a clos e room the door bei ng
o pe n the do
t
an d Jan et w as fo un d
r
u
hed
u
s
o
g
w ith an other w om an and a pl ate o f blood s tan d
i ng beside them : an d the dog w as foun d dead
w ithi n the ho us e i ts h ead amis si ng an d the
c hild im m e diately recovered
The dog s head
h ad be e n applied to the child I n th at c urious
book The Poor Man s Phys ician or the Rec ei ts
o f the famo us Joh n M o n crie f o f T i p e rm allo c h
p
t h e reader w ill n d m an y s uch b arbaro us
p rescriptions toge ther w ith n umberle ss other
mos t beas tly and fatal n ostrums w ith which
o ur ch aritable
gran dmoth e rs w ere daily w on t
t o pois on their o w n family an d h alf t h e paris h
bes ides
The Privy Co un cil i n the year 1 6 6 2 granted
a commi ssio n to s everal ge n tlemen fo r tri al o f
s ome w itche s i n the p ari sh
wh o
o f I n n e rk i p
h ad m ade inge nu o us co nfe ss io ns
Amon g w hich
the follo wi ng extraordinary docume n t pri nted
from the M S obligi ngly comm un icated to me by
M ich ael Ste wart N i c o ls o n Esq i s w ell w orthy
o f pres e rvation
The C o nfession o f Marie Lamon t a youn g
Woman o f the e dge o f Eighteen Yeares d well
i ng i n the paris h o f I nn erki p wh o willingli e
i ng

WI T CH ES

TH E

f
of

ered hers elf to

1 6 62

O F I N N ER KI P

T ryell

the

on

4 th

131

of

March,

She cam an d offe red herselfw illingly to the

t ryell sayi n g that God moved her he art to c o n
fe ss bec aus e sh e h ad liv e d lo n g i n the devil s
2 Sh e co nfe ss ed mo s t i n gen u o usly
s ervice
that fyve years si n ce Kat trei n S cot i n Mu die
s tean w ithi n the p arochin o f I n n e rki
le
r
ed
a
n
p
her to take kyes milk biding her goe o w t i n
mi stie morn in gs an d take w it h her a h arrie
tedder an d draw it over the mo uth o f a m ug
I n God s n ame God s e n d us milk God
s ayin g
s e n d it an d meikle o f it
By this mean es shee
a n d the said Kat tre i n
at m uch o f their n eigh
g
bo ur s milk an d made but ter an d c h e i se thereo f
F
or
more
p
a
rtic
l
a
co
n
cer
n
i
n
g
thi
ch
rm
u
rs
a
s
s
e
e
(
Kirk s Secret C om m on weal th p
3 Sh e c o n
fes s ed th at t wo yeare s an d an e halfs in ce the de v ill
came to the said Kat trei n S c ott s hous e i n the midst
o f the n ight w h e r w er pre s e n t w ith them Margret
M Ke nzie i n Gre i n o k Jan et Scot in Go rro k her
s elf an d s everal others ; the dc v i ll w as i n the
liken e ss o f a meikle black m an and s ung to
them an d they dan c i t ; he gave th em w yn to
dri nk an d w he at bread t o eat an d they w arr all
very m i rri e Sh e confe ss es at th at meiti ng the
s aid Kettie S cott m ade her rs t acq uai n tan ce
w ith the dev ill an d c aus ed her to dri n k to him
4
She c on fesses
an d sh ak h an ds w ith him
1

1 3 2 H I S TO R Y O F WI TCH CR AF T I N S CO TLA N D

th at at th at tym s the dev i ll bad her betak her

s elf to h i s service an d it so uld be w eel w ith
her an d had her fo rsak her bap ti zm e w hi ch
shee did delyv er in g hers el f w holly to him by
p utti ng her o n e han d o n the crow n o f her
head an d the other h and to the s ole o f her fo t t
5
an d givi n g all bet w ixt the s e t w o i n to h i m
Sh e co n fe ss ed th at at th at tym s he gave her
n ame and called her Clowts an d h ad her call
him S er p en t w he n sh e des ired to spe ak w ith
him 6 S hee confes sed th at at th at s am tym
the dc v i ll n i pi t her upo n the right syd q lk
w as very p ai n ful fo r a tym b ut yai refter he
s trai ki t it w ith h i s h an d an d healed it ; th i s sh e
confesse s to be h i s m ark
The s even th article
regard s her crimi nal i n terco urs e with Sath an as
to gallantry w hich sh e rs t con fess e d an d the n
de n ied
8 She con fe ss es th at sh e w as at a
m e i t t i n g i n the Bri dyli nn e w ith Je an King
Kettie Sc o t Margrat M Kenzi e and s everal others
where the de v i ll w as w i t h them i n t h e lik e n e ss
The e nd o f the ir m e i tting was
o f a bro w n dog
t o rais e s tormie w e ather to hi n der bo ats from the
killi ng shing ; an d sh ee con fessed th at shee
Kettie Scot an d Margre t Holm c am to Allan
O rr s ho us e i n the liken ess o f kats an d follo w ed
h i s w i f i n to the ch almer where they took a
herr ing o w t o f a barrell an d h avi n g take n a byt
f it they le ft it behin d them ; the glk herrin g
of
,

'

1 3 4 H I S T O R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T I N SCO TLA N D

the n ight at th e back gate o f Ard

i
l
w
a
n
d
l
w
w
d
o
here
the
ev
ith
th
m
i
w
a
s
n
t
h
e
e
g
like n ess o f a black m an w ith cloven featt an d
directed some o f them to fetc h wyt san d from
th e s hore an d c as t it abo ut the gate s o f Ard
w
n
a
n
d
a
bo
u
t
the
mi
n
i
ter
ho
e
u
d
o
a
s
t
s
u
s
b
;
g
s hee saye s w he n they w ar abou t th at bu si n e ss
the devil turn ed them i n like n ess o f k ats by
She c o n
sh aki n g h i s h an d s above t heir he ad s
fe sse s als os t h at i n th at b usi n e ss s ome w ere
c h e ifs an d ri ngle aders oth ers w as h o t follow ers
Thi s agree s w ith th e 1 1 th article o f Kettie Scot s
1 3 Shee confe ss ed also e th at sh e e
c o nfe s s ion
was w ith Katie Scot M argrat M Ke n zi e an d
others at a m ei tti ng at Ke m po c h w here they i n
ten dit to cast the lo ngs to n in to the s ea thereby
to de stroy boats an d shipes w h er they dan ced
an d the devil ki ss ed them w he n they w e n t aw ay
The s e art i c kles w ere con fessed by the said Mari e
Lamo n t at In n e rki p before us undersubsc ri bers
Archibald Stewart are o f Blackball J Hamil
t o n mi n i ste r at In n e rki p &c
O n e o f the mo st rem ark able circum s tan ce s i n
this cu rious co nfess ion i s that of the devil s sin g
i ng h i s v oice bein g repre se n ted by w itche s as
hollo w an d go u sti e an d th e music w ith w hich he
regaled them gen erally i nstr umen tal In Satan s
In visible World how ever there i s a story (at
te ste d by a reveren d mi ni ster) o f a piper to whom
together

in

S A T A N I C I N F L UEN CE O F T H E BA GP I P ES

1 35

the devil
at a b all o f d an ci ng
taught
obscen e so ng to s in g and play as it w ere this
n ight an d ere t w o d ay s p ass ed all the lads an d
lasses o f the to wn w ere liltin g it thro ugh th e
It w ere an abomi n ation adds Si nclair
s tree ts
I n tr uth the S cottish mi nstrels
to rehearse it
o f every de scriptio n w ere v ulgarly s uppo se d
d urin g the prevalen ce o f the C ove nant to be
un der the peculiar c are an d protectio n o f t h e
devil N ay eve n the Reve re nd Mr Kirk author
w o uld i ns i nuate
o f the S ecret C ommon w e alth
that i n Irelan d and i n the n orth o f Scotlan d a
s e n s ibility to
the ch arms o f m usic so as to
occas ion dan cing proceed s from diabolic i nu
s ay s
e nce
Irish m e n
he
o ur n orthern
r A thole m e n are so m uch ad
Scotish an d o u
dicted to an d delighted w ith h arp s and m usick
as i f li ke Kin g Saul they w e re poss ess ed w ith a
fo rre i n s pirit ; o nly w ith thi s differen c e that
m us ick did p ut S aul s play fe llow asleep but
ro used an d awake d o ur m e n v an quishin g their
o w n s pirit s at pleas ure as if they w ere impote n t
an d un able to comm an d it ; fo r
o f i t s po w ers
w ee h ave s ee n s ome poor beggars o f them chat
tering their te e th fo r cold that h o w soo n they
saw the re and he ard the h arp leap thoro w the
hous e like goats and satyrs
But if the bagpipe co uld i n sp irit the godly t o
ght fo r the good old cause it w as h allo wed
,

WI T CH CRAF T

1 3 6 H I S TO R Y O F

forth with

I N S CO T LA N D

Lo rd Lothian writi ng to Lord An

c ram from the Scottish army at N ew castle 1 8 th
F ebruary 1 6 41 says
I can not o ut o f o ur
arm i e furn ish yo w w ith a s ober dler ; there i s
a fello w here plays exceedi ng w ell but he i s
i ntollerably give n to dri nk ; n o r have w e man y
O ur arm i e h e s fe w or n on e th at
o f the s e people
carie no t armes We are sadder an d graver than
ordi nar i e s oldiers o n ly we are w ell provided o f
rs ; I h ave o n e fo r every compan y i n my
e
pyp
re gimen t and I thi nk they are as good as
Th e b agpipe itself seems t o h ave
dru mmers
been a favourite i n s tr ume nt w ith the devil At
the witch meetin g i n A llo way kirk
.

He sc rew d the pipes an d gart them skirl

Till roo f an d rafters a di d dirle

Bu rns

Tam

Shan ter

there w as a lege n d long curren t i n Glas gow

th at abo ut an h un dred years ago as a citizen
was passi ng at mid n i ght through the ch urch
yard w hich surroun d s the Cathedral h e saw a
n eighbour o f h i s o w n l ately b uried ri s e o ut o f
h i s grave an d d an ce a jig w ith the devil w h o
played the ai r called Whistle o er the lave o t
gpipe w hich struck the whole city
u pon the b a
w ith so mu ch horror th at the to w n drummer
w as se n t through the s treets n e x t morn i ng to
An d

1 3 8 H I S T O R Y O F WI TCH CR AF T I N S CO TLA N D

D anci ng bei n g

ch a commo n evil e s pecially

amo ng young pro fe ss ors h as cau s ed me to i ns i s t
the more upo n it es pecially th at foolish spring the
Cameron ian m arch
M rs M ac birn i e a pio us
w idow o f D um fries wh o w as s e nt to Dunn o t te r
Cas tle fo r w higgery and w rote an accou n t o f her
tribulations complai ns grievously o f the F ife
milit ia appoi nted to g uard her an d other old
w omen because th ey c alled them old w itches
w ishi ng the devil to take them an d th e ir religion
an d o f the pipers wh o by the w ay derided them
w ith their fooli sh son gs
Wo dr ow s M S
The most rem arkable scen e o fw itchcraft d uri ng
the rei gn o f Ki ng Charles the Seco nd w as acte d
i n Re nfrewshire w here Si r George Max well o f
Pollock di ed as it was suppo sed from the m alice
o f s ome h aggs an d o n e w izard
A full accoun t o f
'
this stran ge aai r w ill be foun d i n the M emo
ri alls
to w hich th e follo wing letter from the
Reveren d Mr R obe rt Kn ox to the Rev Mr
Wyllie i s a proper addition It i s prin te d from
the origi nal o n e passage o nly b ei ng omitted as
too speci c regardi n g the i n timacy o f the devil
w ith the yo unge st w itch An nabel Ste wart :
su

Car er s, Feb 27 , 7 7
.

My

dear Frien d
Yours o f Feb 2 (which I received the

24)

h ath

T H E LA I RD O F P O LLO CK BE WI T CH ED

1 39

mightily co n vi n ced me (I s ay n o t th at theer

are w itche s fo r it i s a good tym e s i n ce I w as
p as t do ubti ng o f yt truth ) th at th ese p e rs o ne s
w h o are apprehe n ded u po n th at score by the
Laird o f Pollock s frie nd s an d w h o probably ere
this h av e s uffe red u po n earth fo r their crimes
are re ally s uch ; th e n di ng o f the e i gi e s ; th e
o bs erv e d i n uence th e w ithdraw i ng th e pi n e s
from th e m h ad u po n the g en t ilm an albeit he
was no t acq uai n ted th e re wi th ; (as I am gl ad t o
nd s yo u i n tim ate i n yo u r l ast th at B o uale did
fo r I s uppose yo u i n s i n uat th at at Ho usle s
re turn e from J S t e w art s ho us e he e n quire d h o w
Polloc k fo un d him se lf be for h e k n ew anythi ng
c on
o f wh at h e h ad do n e
together
ith
the
w
)
fessi o n
ob tain e d w itho ut tortur and their
i n co n fe s sio n abou t th e last e fgi e s
agri e n g
maki ng ; which co nfess ions I pre sume w ere
received ap art do fre e me o f any s olid or rational
obj ectio n to the co ntrair ; n e ither i n all their c o n
fes s io n s (which I h ugg thee d e ar R obi n fo r s e n d
i ng to m e ) doe I ob serv e an y thi ng th at thos e w h o
believe the exi s te n c e o f devils c an imagin e them
u ncap able to perform ; their i s n o t t h e i ri n the
taki ng di ffe ren t sh ape from w h at n ature gave
them and yi ng therein thro ugh the ai r or th e
lyke prodigio us account o f s ucc ubi an d i nc ubi
di v e ls w hich oth e r w itche s with m an y oth er
odd s torie s do co n fess e and which i n m y opinion
,

1 40 H I S T O R Y O F WI TCH CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D

poss ible And i ndee d I j udge D umby (i e

J an et D o uglas ) the gre ate st pro digy i n the w hole
busi ne ss an d w ould gladly be satised o f h e r
birth an d ed ucatio n I should h ad good thoughts
o f her i f it h ad n o t bee n her m aki n g take blood
o f t he c ri m i n alls ; but I obs e rve from yo ur i n
form atio n her age her deafne ss an d d umbn e ss
which m ake it improbable sh e h ad th at c h arm c
from obser vation an d experie n ce I am co nvi n ced
t hi s came the sam e w ay to her th at the re s t o f
her e xtrao rdi n ar sagacity came w hich fo r all thi s
I dare n o t imp ute pos iti vely to an evil caus e
Yo u k no w that p ai rt e o f the C hris tian ch u rch
w hich i s so co ns iderable as to as sume to its el f
the title o f C ath o li c k holds the history o f Tobiah
where there i s an actio n (which i n my j udge
men t ) h ath more resemblan ce to a charm e th an
n d taught by an an gel
t
n
a
thi
h
th
e
joi
ed
e
s
a
n
y

a
c an n on ic l s cripture
See
A
ppe
n
dix
n
ote
It
(
i s o ur ign oran ce o f the po w er o f any n at urall
age n t that m akes us imp u te y e ffects to evil
s pirit s which w e fan cy they prod uce upo n o u r
payi ng them o ur hommage by making us e o f
w hich they h ave taught
This
s ome ch arme
m ade the po wder o f symp athy wh e n rs t it w as
used i n E urope ill lo o kt o n an d man y divers
in to n ature ll philos ophy be deemed m agi c i an e s
T hi s takin g o f blood from the w itch above the
breath m ay po ss ibly h ave a n aturall ability to
are

1 4 2 H I S TOR Y O F WI TCH CR A F T IN S CO TLA N D

i g

large m uire w ith n o atte nd an ts but

Eth e rt ru nn i ng by her w he n there appeared a
b i g unsh apely s pirit at w hich Eth e rt j um pt
horseback behin d my lady an d all the
on
t ym e th at the black o n e atte nde d them Eth ert
c l as ped h i s arme s abo ut my l ady an d shivered
and appeared to be i n a gre ater
an d trembled

fear by far th an my lady hers elf (See Appe n dix

But my s erious tho ught s o f the matte r
n ote
i s th at this di scovery m ay be o f good w eight
wi th others to prove the exi s te n ce o f a po w er
able to free us from their m alice and i nni tly
good saving us many tymes w hen we little dreed
To w hose pow er th at yo u
dan ger from t hem
an d I m ay be e ntirely devoted i s the mo s t s erio us
d e sire o f your o wn
R0 Kno x
n
ss
a
p

Robert Wyllie

F o r Mr

at

O chil

tree to be delivered to Walter

Cunn ingh am book seller hard
by the C ross o n the sout h syde
o f the s treets E di n bu rgh
,

I know as suredly th at Janet D o uglas th at

was rst a dum bi e yet s poke there after w ho had
ive
n m any r e spon se s by s ign s an d w ords an d
g
foreto ld many future eve nts being examin ed by
Mr Gray o n e o f the mi ni s ters o f the city o f
G las go w de nyed any e x plicit or implicit paction;
,

A P P A RI TI O N S I N C O VE N A N TI N 0 TI M ES

143

declared freely that the an swers o f the

qu estions propos ed to her w ere represe nted by a
vis io n an d li v ely images repres en ting the pers o ns
con cern ed an d actin g th e thi ng be fore her eye s
This Mas ter Gray exchanged s everal di scours es i n
w rit w ith Sir James T urn er co n cern in g her

an d

A Di sc ou r se

t
h
e
S
e
c
o
n
d
t
t
R
e
S
i
h
b
h
e
v
,
f
y
g

J ohn F r azer , M i n i ster

Dean

Terc e

Co ll,

an d

Mr

an d

the I s les

C HAPTE R VII
n
1
a
8
6
6
(
.

to

an

App ari ti ons i n the Co venan ti ng T i mes A t Ruther

d
l
rai mad
a
r
m
e
a
rz
o
en
A
t
A
t
D
u
u
s
l
i
C
C
B
e
e
s
g
f
g

S trange

reg ardi ng

Th

the Ro yal i sts on the

Ghos t

at

Sp edli n s Cas tle

Cri ef

f the Covenantera
The Layi ng of a
M am ieA Wi tc h

t
o
a
r
p

Wo nderful Revela t io ns

Gais t

Burned

at

Graves Unac c o antably P rep ared

PATRICK WALKER w riting of the persecution o f

fanatics d uri n g the reign o f Ch arles the Sec ond
It w as also a day o f very aston ishing
s ay s
app aritio n s both i n the rm am en t an d u po n the
ear th w hich I c an i nstruct the truth o f As
rs t befo re the go spel was s en t t o the elds and
des ert places i n th e ye ar 1 6 6 8 or 1 669 i n thes e
places w here the gospel was m os t frequently
,

WI TC H CRA F T

F
Y
O
I
T
O
R
H
S
1 44

I N SCO TLA N D

p re ached afterwards h o w s urp ri si ng and asto nish

i ng was th e s ight both by n ight an d day o f
bras s ides covered w ith the appearan ce o f m en
and w ome n w ith te n ts and voice s heard in the m ?
Particularly the rs t n ight that Mr Joh n D ick
s o n pre ac he d i n the eld s i n the n ight time e as t
from Glasgow upo n C lide s s ide hi s parish bein g
o n th e s o uth si de Ruth glen w here he w as s ettle d
minis ter before the unhappy restoration ; an d
after lon g pers ec ution and impri s o nme n t i n the
Bas s and other places w as resettled there again
That rs t
and die d there s in ce the R evol ution
n i ght s everal people together before they came
to the appoi nted place they saw upon their w ay
a bras s i de covere d w ith the appe aran ce o fpeople
w ith a ten t and a voice cryi ng aloud This i s
the everlasting gospel ; i f ye follow o n to kn ow
believe and embrace this g ospel it sh all n ever be
taken from yo u when they c ame to j oin them
all di sappeared
O ther companies o f people i n
an other way goin g there heard a ch armi n g s w eet
s oun d o f s i n gi ng the 93 d p salm w hich obliged
the m to stan d still u ntil it was en ded ; other
people wh o stayed at home i n sev eral place s
s ome heard the s in i n g o f the 44t h p salm others
g
the 46 th p salm When the people wh o w ere
there c ame home they w h o stayed at home sai d
Where have ye bee n so long ? fo r the preaching
was n ear by fo r w e heard the psalms sw eetly
,

1 4 6 HIS TO R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T IN S CO TLA N D

m any ti me s

it afte rwards ; partic ularly o ne

day Alexan der Stirlin g wh o lived i n the Re dden
n ear th at p lac e a s oli d serious zealo us C hri s ti an
wh o to ld thi s s everal times to some yet alive
w orthy o f all credit w h o to ld me o f i t Th at he
w ith some others o n e day was i n th at desert
plac e an d saw that bras side closs covered w ith
th e appearan ce o f m e n an d w ome n s in gi n g the
1 21 s t p sal m w ith a milk white hors e and blood
o n h i s back
red saddle
s tan di n g be side
th e
people w hich made th at s erious discern i ng o h
s ervi n g Chri sti an con clude th at th e go spel w o uld
be sent to that place an d that the w hite hors e
w as the gospel an d the re d saddle persecution
3 dlg Th at k n own place Darm ead w here the
o
spel was more frequ e n t afterward th an an y
g
place I kn o w betw ixt Clide sdale and Lothi an fo r
w hi c h it was called t h e Kirk o f Darm ead v e
parishe s met abou t it the like was seen there
An d w hoever w ill c o n
s i n gi ng the 59 th p s alm
s ider the se fore said p salm s will se e h o w s u itable
they w ere to the se di s pe n sation s an d w ere o ft
s un g by the Lord s s uffe ri n g people i n th at time ;
b ut thi s bruti sh carn al age k n o ws no t wh at it i s
t o syllable the Scri ptu re s or fee d u po n them
At thi s period t o o the royali s ts w ere be lieved
by the adverse p arty to be as m uch devoted to
The
S atan as t o Ki ng Ch arle s the Secon d
bi shop s w ere clove n foot ed an d h ad no sh ado ws ;
saw

BELI EF REGARDI N G TH E R O YALI S TS

1 47

military o c ers wh o w ere employed to p ur

s ue the w higs i n to their lurki ngplac es wore coats
o f proof an d be strode horse s th at c o uld clamber
amon g rocks like foxe s ; an d the j usti c es o f peac e
c ommi ss ion ed to try the fugitive s w ere see n fa
m i li arly con vers in g w ith the fo ul e nd to w hom
o n e i n D umfrie s shire actually o ere d up hi s
rs t born c hild immedi ately aft er birth s teppi ng
o u t w it h it i n h is arm s to the s tai rcas e w here th e
devil stood ready as it was suspected to rec eive
t his i nn oce n t victim
The c urates al so were m any o f them little
better th an w i zard s i f w e may trust to Kirkton
an d other autho rs o f h i s pe rs uas io n w hile the
Epi scop alian s n o w and th en retorte d the accusa
tion upo n their adversaries D uri ng thi s p reva
len ce o f magic the D uke o f Roth es was s aid t o
h ave been be witched by Lady Anne Gordo n w h o
ac comp an ied h i m d uri n g h i s progress e s i n m ale
attire though o ne i s tempted to thi nk i fthe lady
could forget her dignity s o far th at the e nch ant
me nt was o n the d uke s side (See Appen dix
D ream s too w ere p revale nt re
N ote
vealing to t orie s the h aun ts o f the h i ll
m en an d to the se the approach o f their tri
In God s Judgeme n ts agai nst
u m p h an t e n emie s
Persec utors i s recorded the di smal end to which
s o m an y o f thes e reprob ate s came among w ho m
Ge neral Dalyell i s said to h ave expired w ith a
th e

'

A
A
F
T
I
N
S
L
N
D
H
R
CO
T
F
I
T
C
C
W
I
T
O
R
Y
O
H
S
1 48

glass o f wi n e at h i s li ps d ri n king the kin g s

health n o doubt ; Sir Robert Law rie to have fal
len from h i s hors e, an d h ad h i s n eck broke n
though that misfortun e i n truth belonged to h i s
Si r George M acke n zie s body w as was ted by
so n
foun tai ns o f blood con tin ually i ss uin g from all
parts n ay s oon aft er death the devil carried
away Sir Archibald Ke n n edy o f C o lzean s re
mains i n a fearful te mpest ; an d the D uke o f
i
n
n
ee
n
berr
s
s
o
u
l
w
a
s
s
ee
a
bl
a
ck
co
ch
u
s
a
Q
y
drawn by s i x black hors e s driving i n to M oun t
Vesu vi u s a loud voice sh o utin g o u t
O pen to
w hich prove s by
the D uke o f Drum langri g
the w ay th at the devil s porter i s n o herald In
fact the lege n d i s borro w ed from the story o f
An to nio the R ich i n George San dys s Travels
Jacob Bee a citi ze n o f Du rh am n ote s i n h i s M S
D iary
John Borro w dep arted thi s li fe the 1 7th
day o f Jan uary bei n g Sat t erday thi s ye are 1 6 8 4 5
an d w as reported y t he se e a coach drawn by 6
s w i n e all black an d a bl ack m an s att u po n t h e
cotc h box ; he fell s ick upo n t an d dy d an d o f
h i s de ath sev e rall app arition s appe ared after
A ghos t whose his tory eve n to this hour in
s p i re s terror at m an y a cott ag er s res ide i n Dum
fries shire m ay perh aps w ith propriety be ar
ranged amon g the s pectral mole s tatio ns w hich a
p
palled the Scottis h lieges i n King C h arles th e

Second s reign Sir Alexander Jardi n e o f Apple

,

1 50 H IS TO R Y O F

WI T CH CRA F T

I N S C O TLA N D

pri nted from the Bannaty n e MS c alled A n e

I nte rlude o f the Layi ng o f a Gaist
The s pell
which th us c ompelled the spi rit to rem ai n i n
bondage w as attac hed to a large black lette r
Bible used by t he e xorcists an d aft erward s
deposited i n a ston e n iche which stil l rem ai ns i n
t h e wall o f the s tair cas e ; an d it i s c ertai n th at
after the lap se o f m any years w he n the family
re p aired to a n e we r m an s ion b u ilt o n the oppo si te
s ide o f the river A n n an the Bible was le ft behi n d
to keep the restless s pirit i n order O n o n e oc c a
sion i n deed the v ol u me re uiri ng to be re boun d
q
w as s e n t h al f way i n to Edi n b urgh but the ghos t
getti ng o ut o f the du ngeon an d cro ssing t h e river
m ade s uch a dis turban ce i n the n e w house h aul
i ng the baron et an d h i s lady o ut o f their bed th at
the Bible was immediately recalled an d pl aced
i n i t s former s i tuatio n
O f late time s it i s n o
longer to be see n and o f the ghos t n o rec e n t
ti din gs h ave bee n heard But a circumstance
re s pecti ng o n e o f the pers on age s co nn ected w ith
thi s story m ay here be recorded as a great
w o nder i n i ts o wn way an d at th at superstitio us
period deemed more marvellous th an eve n the
app arit io n o f Porteous its el f
L ady M argaret
D ouglas sister o f William rst D uke o f Que e ns
berry an d w i fe o f Sir Alexander Jardin e w as s o
extremely pe nurio us i n her temper th at sh e
ge nerally w e n t abroad covered w ith rags an d s o

WI TCH CR AF T

I N P ER TH S H IRE

1 51

l ady to amass mon ey th at sh e

w o uld si t fo r w hole d ays o n the ban k o f the river
Annan w hich o ws n ear Spe dlin s to c arry p eople
ac ro ss u po n her sho u lde rs fo r the moderate re
m un erat i o n o f a h al fpe n n y
It m ay be j ustly
en ough sus pected t h at sh e h ad the suste nan ce o f
Porteous committed t o her m anagemen t duri ng
Sir Al exander s absen ce i n Edin burgh
In the ye ar 1 6 8 3 a yo un g girl i n the p arish o f
M onzie P e rth shire after h avi n g s uffered gre atly
from w itchcraft had s ome w o n derful revelations
carefully recorded i n a MS pre se rved by Wo dro w
From this s everal extracts are s ubjoi n ed much
blasphemous folly bei ng o f co urs e omitte d
A R elation o f a rare Provide n ce th at be fell a
youn g C hilde daughter to a H usban d Man or
Farm o re r whose n ame i s D o nal d M Gri go r d w ell
i ng i n the Parochi n o f M o n z ie livi ng w ithin the

i
m
f
The child bei ng abo ut
Sh er do e o Perth
the age o f ten years an d w as be w itched by s ome
w om an upo n the acco un t o f e n vy co nceived
agai n s t her father
be fo re nam e d wh o by h i s
earn es t an d ass id uo us prayers an d the p rayers o f
s ome o f h i s acq uai n tan ce w hom he i n vited to
joi n w ith him i n s upplicati n g God to deliver h i s
child from the po wer o f Satan an d h i s i nstru
me nts there was a w on derful del iverance granted ;
the his tory whe reo f h as bee n attes ted by many
credible w itne sses an d especially her w o nderfull
xious

an

w as th i s

'

1 52 H I S T O R Y O F WI T CH CR A F T I N SC O TLA IVD

peeche s i n the trance s i s attes ted by a religio us

gentlem an an d a considerable heritor i n that
ro
h
n amed J ame s Campb e ll o f M on zie w h o
c
a
p
i
r tli e by hi m s el f an d p ai rtli e from h i s ho n e s t
a
p
n eighbo urs an d acquai n tan ce w hom he tru sts
received the relation an d his to ry o f th at m erc ifull
di s pe n satio n o f Provi den ce ; and fro m h i m the
w ritte r h e iro f received h i s n ote s h e iro f i n w ri t e
w hich he thi nk s him s el f boun d i n co n scie n ce to
p ublish s o far as i n him lyes
U pon the 24t h o f S e ptember 1 6 8 3 the child
a daughte r to D o n ald M Gri g o r w as comin g to
her father s h o use from an e other ho use a li ttle
distan t from her father s ho use abo ut 8 hours at
n ight follo w i n g her broth e r a little w ay behi n d
him and w axin g fe arfull sh e began to run to
overtake h i m an d th e n h e ard s ome thin g cry n o t
far o f like an e o wle ; fo r h as te s h e fell an d bei ng
m ore arai d con ti n ued s o till the 4t h o f January
1 6 8 4 an d th e n began to se e a m an com i n g i n to
her w ith a w om an i n e ve ry h and th e m an w as
covered w ith a shirt to the gro und ; the w ome n
The m an offered
sh e co u ld n o t kn o w at the rs t
her a dollar i f sh e w ould go w ith him w hich sh e
refus ed con stan tly ; this th ey did 3 or 4 n ights
Then the w ome n said W e w ill take ane other
co urse i f sh e w ill n o t take it then abo ut the 6 th
o f Jan uary the t w o w ome n appe ared alo n e
with
a bo n e o f a hors e he ad w hereo f they m ade a pic
s

'

1 54 H IS T O R Y O F WI T CH CR AF T I N S CO T LAN D

told hi m that such means w ould do her

n o good but a n umber o f godly pers on s to pray
fo r her w as more suitable : s o he bei ng e arnes t
th ere un till inv i te d s ev e rall p rayi ng pers o ns t o
w hom he comm un icate h i s tro uble abo ut the 6 th
o f F ebruary to deal e arn es tly w ith God w hich
they did ; and at the l oth o f February at n ight
they waiting o n her accordi ng to the former m an
her at th e 6th t o f torment sh e apprehe n ded
that sh e di d see a w hite h an d so exceedingly
w hite th at sh e n ever di d se e any thi ng before so
w hite comi n g i n bet wi x t her an d them w here
u po n sh e di d see the dc vi ll s tar t i ng back ward as
'
arai d ; wh ere upon sh e he ard a voice sayi n g
Be n o t arai d fo r them ; for i f yo u learn the
w ord o f God yo u sh all be n o more tro uble d
w ith them fo r yo u belon g n o t to them but to
me
The dev i ll replye d Th at he cared n o t
he h ad m any better Then the han d did take
the picture from the o ld w om an an d dashe d it
to a s ton e Then th e old w oman said to the
dev ill We l w el thi s i s n o t t h e w ay I expected
t hi s s hould be ; I s ee w e m ust leave o ff thi s ;
w here upo n the dc vill the old w om an and her
daughter j o yned hand s as if t hey h ad bee n
goi ng to dance an d s o parted an d van ished
Where upon the c hilde said God be than ked I
thi nk I sh all n ever be trouble d w ith yo nder
folk any m ore
an d h er mother he ari ng her
it

was

WI T CH CRAF T

I N P ER TH S H I RE

1 55

I wi s h it be so ; but h o w kn o w
?
th
t
To
thi
s
the
child
A
ans wered
a
o
u
y
voice h ath told me ; Wh e re upo n the child did
s in g the t wo rs t vers e s o f the 23 d p s al m an d
it is to be remembered sh e co uld n o t say a
w ord o f it be fore th at time ; n o r in h e r former
troubl e co uld s h e be m ade to say God h el p me
all the tim e th e y torm e n ted her altho s eve ral
time s sh e was comm anded by the Laird o f M onzie
an d her p are nts an d others b ut co uld n ever
s ay s o ,

sa

id

th e n i n her trance s began to co n vers e

w ith an g els ; they came to her n ightly an d
talked a great d e al o f s tuff
Thir angells h ad
i n their h ands like
s ometim e s w hi te fe athers
w i ngs She t o ld h e r father th at they com man ded
her to l earn t h e l 1 th p salm &c
Sh e as ked
May th ey (th e d evil s I s uppo s e ) n o t easi ly ge t
advan tage o f my father he go es n o t to t h e kirk
(note th at he w as a n on c o nformis t) O wh at
folk ar e thes e th at go n o t to kirk ?
To th is
they an sw ered They m ay be m uch be tter th an
the s e w h o g o to kirk ; an d ye o ught n o t to call
th e m w h iggs but o f the t rue c ath o lic k ch urch
U po n a ti m e h er m oth e r de s ired h e r d aughter to
s e ar at th e s e ange ll s w h o app e are d to her wh at
p
cam e o f yo ung c hildre n n o t b apti zed fo r her
mother thought they co uld n o t go to he ave n
They an s wered
Th at s om e o f them m ay
She

"
H
I
T
S
OR
Y
OI
1 56

WI TCH CRA F T

I N S CO TLA N D

go to hell as w el as others
The child als o
told that i n the time o f her tro uble sh e did
s e e the de v i ll h avi n g a pig bet w ixt h i s fe et an d
o yl i n it where w ith sh e did s e e h i m p u tt some
thereof w ith h i s h an d o n the forehead o f the t wo
w ome n
A fter this the angels carried her i n s pirit to
heaven w here (ho rr esc o r efer en s) sh e w as s eated
bes ide o ur bless ed Saviour w hose co n versations
S everal
w ith her are recor ded at m uch le ngt h
o f her n eighbo urs said to her th at sh e w as take n
a way w ith the fairie s an d th at i t w as but the
I n he aven
devil yet th at w as dealin g w ith her
exceedi ng glorious w ith a crown
s h e s aw Ad am
Job whom sh e
upo n h i s he ad
an d by an d by
s aid w as mo s t be au t i full o f all an d m any others
that when sh e w as torme n ted
S h e w as told
th at sh e thought sh e s aw the old w oman an d her
daughter an d the black m an i n her father s
ho use ; but they w ere i n their o w n ho use ; and
w hereas sh e thought they p ut the pict ure t w ixt
t w o re s it w as t w ixt t wo co al s o nly an d that
the old w oman h ad an e i n c h an te d s tick fas ten ed
to the picture wherew ith sh e p ut the picture i n
the re w hen the child took her tts and took it
o ut o f the re w he n s h e h ad eas e ; an d wh e n they
w e n t to their w ork the old w oman sate n ext the
w all o f the ho us e h avi n g the picture ; the devil
s at n ext an d the n the d augh ter ; and th at all the

1 58 H I S TO R Y OF

WI TCH CRA F T

I N S CO TLA N D

bo un d to do that neither Some sp ace be fore

t hat ti m e there was a c o nformis t m i ni ster execute
fo r m urder w hich he den ie d to the las t th at h e
She was d esired to as k
h ad any ac cess ion to i t
If he h ad any han d i n th e ch i lde s blood wh o
It w as answered That he was
was m urdered ?
at m urder
f
n s aid sh e
H
o w c an
ilty
th
The
o
u
g
t hat be for I saw him p ray an d s in g a p salm at
h i s de ath ?
To this it was an sw ered N o t wi th
nn oce n t o f
s tandi n g th at doth n o t m ake an
i
y
t ho se thi ngs which they h ave don e
The n sh e
s aid
That sh e heard him de ny it To this an
It w as n o good that h ad hi m do that
s we red
This allud es to D unc an the c urate o f Kin fauns
e xecuted fo r the s uppo sed m urder o f a child pro

duc e d by hi s o w n mai d ser van t

Se e Kirkto n s
H i stor y p 1 8 7 Afte r some time the girl took
It does
n o more tran ce s and her an gel s le ft her
n o t appe ar w h at became o f her s ub s eq ue n tly
Lon g be fore this affai r there m ust have been a
very c elebrated wi tch i n that n eighbo ur hood as
M on tgomery giving an accoun t of Po lwarth s
infanc y and h i s di s covery by the w eird s isters
s ay s

no t

Syn e

b ackw ard o n hors ebac k bravely they

bendit
Th at c am nose d c o c atric e they quite w ith them
carry
,

WI T C H CRAF T

I N P E R T H SH I RE

1 59

To K ait o f Grie f i n a creil s oo n they gar s e n d it

Where s e ve n ye ar it sat b ai th si ngi d an d sairi e

There i s a traditio n c urren t i n Perth shire th at a

w itch w h o h ad b ee n n u rs e to o ne o f the an tie n t
an d ho no u rable family o fI n c hbrak i e was s tran gl e d
an d b urn t o n a hi ll called the Kn ock o f Cri e d
n ea r her o wn cav e a s m all hole i n the rock s till
to be s e e n This w oman w hose n ame s w ere
C ath ar in e N i v e n (the l as t probably be s to we d by
her n e ighbo urs from th at o f the Fai ry Q uee n)
w h e n le d for th to the s take i s said to h ave s pit
from her m ou th a sm all bl ue s to n e w hich sh e
ve
to
h
e
r fo s ter child the Laird o f I n c h brak i e
a
g
telli ng him that whil e the s to ne w as pres erved
by him an d h is h e irs the hous e sho uld o urish
This jew el w as s e t i n a ri ng an d is still i n the
po ss e s sion o f the family
I n th e y e ar
there
s ay s Patrick W alker
w as s uch a lo n g an d gre at fro st that from N o
v e m b e r t o t h e middle o f M arch
there w as n o
l abo uri ng o f the gro und ; yet eve n before the
s n o w fe ll w he n t h e e arth w as as iro n h o w m any
r
ve
s w e re i n the we s t o f Scotl and i n de s ert
a
g
pl ac e s i n on e s tw o s three s fours v es to gether
w hich w as n o im agi n ary thi ng ; m an y yet alive
w h o m eas ur ed th e m wi th their s tave s e xactly
the d eep n e ss bre adth an d l ength o f other grave s
a nd t h e l um p o f e ar th lyin g whole together at
,

WI T CH CRAF T

1 6 0 H I S TO R Y O F

I N S CO TLA N D

their s ides w hich they se t their feet u pon and

han dled them w ith their h an ds w hich many
c o n cl uded after wards did pre sage the t w o bloody
slaughte r ye ars th at follo w ed 1 6 8 4 1 6 8 5 w he n
8 2 o f the Lord s s uffering people w ere sudde nly
and cruelly m urdered i n de s ert pl aces w herever
that heaven dari ng e nemy fo un d them an d few
to m ake graves or bury them for fear o f that
e nemy w h o left their dead corp s w here they
killed them
,

CHAP TE R VII I

a n 1 6 8 4 TO a n

Wi tc hc ra

i n Dumfriesshi re

Addi ti

Revelat io ns
T

F oraester s
-

S words

n ear

o nal

F raser s Remarkable

o net

I nc idents i n 1 68 7

Dream Showers of

Lanark

H ats, Gu ns ,

a nd

The Vi sc ount Dundee s Ghost

Wi tches

The Renfrewshi re

The Rev

Sp i ri ts Troubli ng the House

Wi tc hes
of Ki nross

The Pi ttenweem
t
h
e
f

Mi ni ster

year 1 6 8 4 a D umfries shire w oman o f the

Pre sbyte rian ch urch preten ded to some w on der
Ad
ful vi sion s still e xtant i n a M S e ntitled
m i r an da et N o tan da An e Accoun t o f strange
an d rem arkable R evelations which w ere reve aled
to a Christian Frien d i n the Shire o f Drum fri c e
i n the place afterm en ti o ned both ane n t the p ar
IN th e

D
A
L
N
T
H
A
F
I
N
S
C
O
F
CR
T
I
H
I
R
Y
O
W
TC
S
T
O
1 62
an d

m an ,

that als o

at se v e rall

times

and

in

eve

ll plac es
The n at the end o f the e i ght year I being at
prayer the black m an did appear as at other
ti m es he bein u po n the o n e s ide o f me and
there appeari n g upo n the other s ide a bonny
han d an d a rod i n it an d the rod w as buddin g ;
an d I s aid
I s th at thy h an d an d thy rod 0
Lord 1 An d I w as co nte n t to embrace the o n e
a n d ee the other
Then upon that n ight eight
n ights I comi n g home n e ar h an d un to my d w ell
i n g I gre w very dro w s i e an d fella sleep and
there w as a voice s aid to me Awake w h y
A n d there w as light n i ng roun d
s leepe s t tho u
to
the
abou t me
an d I looki n g u
t
o p o f a b u sh
p
that w as at my han d there w as the sh ape o f a
dove that w e n t alon gs t w ith me i n comp any to
the hous e
Then about three qu arters o f a year there
after the rod app e ared agai n to be a do uble rod
or a rod that w as s pri ngin g and forthcomi n g ;
an d after th at ti m e I w as n ever tro ubled w ith
the black m an any more
He r rs t rev e latio n w as o n the 4th o f Jun e
1 6 8 4 bu t it i s very di c ult to m ak e o ut w h at
her vi sion s port en ded
O n the 5th day o f
N ovember 1 6 8 4 I b e i n g at prayer th ere ap
re d un to me i n a bodily s h ape t hree pers o n s
e
a
p
i
n
w
n
n
ll
to
my
s
ight
hite
a
d
they
goe
ro
d
a
u
a
s
)
(
ra

C URI O US CI RC UM S TA N CES N EA R D UM F RI ES

1 63

t me the way the s un goeth ; their coming

w as still after o n e m an n er w hen I w as at my
duty only I di s cern ed he th at spoke rs t at o n e
time spoke rst at all times an d so con t i nued to
s peak by co urs e w ith S cri ptu re n ote s n ami n g
books ch apter and vers e sometimes all th e vers e
s ometime s a p art
She w as greatly c o ncern ed
abo u t the su eri n
n
m
n
t
n
h
m
y
m
s
r
e
n
a
a
d
a
d
a
g
y

t eri o us re s pons e s as t o th at
This i n te rco urs e
w ith s pirits conti nued fo r s ome ye ars and i s
very circum s tan ti ally detailed i n t h e M S At
t h e co n cl us ion o f w hich i s thi s additional mir
acle :
Be sides wh at the reader h as h ad formerly he
h as like wi se thi s follow in g acco un t o f a p as sage
t hat be fell thi s holy w om an the l st May 1 6 8 7
w hich was S un day
This Jo net Frazer and a
yo un g lass a s ister daughte r o f hers abou t 1 7 or
1 8 ye ars o f age h avi ng gon e o ut i nto the el ds
an d both o f the m lyin g do w n o n the grass n e ar
the water o f N ith w hich i s bu t a bo w draught
from her father s ho use an d both o f them re ading
upo n their Bible s an d lyi n g abo ut the di stan ce
o f fo ur y ards the o ne from the other thi s Jo n et
F razer i s take n w ith a gre at drouth an d goe s to
the w ater o f N ith to t ake a drink leavi ng her
Bible open at t h e place w here sh e was readin g
w hich w as the 3 4th ch ap o f Esai ah from vers e
F or my s woo rd
5 to 1 1 i ncl us ive w hich begi ns

a ou

1 6 4 H I S TO R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T I N S C O TLA N D

hall be bathed i n he aven behold it sh all c ome

do wn o n the people o f Idumea an d u po n the
peo ple o f m y curse to j udgeme nt
An d w he n
sh e h ad ret urn ed immedi ately as s hoon as sh e
co uld take a dri nk o f water sh e sees h er Bible i s
coloured w ith blo ud as sh e tho ught tho ugh after
w ards upo n i ns pectio n an d tryall it w as n o t
blo ud but red as blo n d and such as no pers o n
by the colour could di sc ern from blo ud ; upo n
w hich sh e ask s the other lass
If an y thi ng h ad
An d sh e an s wered N 0
bee n n e ar her Bible
thi ng that sh e saw Sh e as ks Ho w co uld i t
then be that her Bible was covered over w ith
blo ud t
Which both o f them going n ear foun d
to be the very same place where Jon et was read
i ng v i z from vers e 5 to 1 1 an d some farther o f
the 3 4th chap so as the print w as n ot at all
legible The other lass w ould h ave her w ipe o ff
the blon d but sh e could n o t but carried it as it
was to her father an d a brother o f hers a godly
yo ung m an wh o i s dead s i n ce an d s ome others
an d did s how it to them w h o w ere c urio us to
taste it an d it h ad a w els h taste as if it h ad
bee n s ome m etear ; the hens an d birds w o uld n o t
pick it up
The very n ext Lord s day 8 th May this
Jonet bein g i n her father s barn about ane ho ur
alo n e s ome little time before s un s et s h e came to
the door o f the barn to read and w hil e sh e was
s

1 6 6 H I S TO R Y O F

WI T CH CRA F T

I N S CO TLA N D

but

it i s so like blo ud as n on e c an discern any

di ffere n ce by th e colo ur
Afte r th is co urse o f vis io ns and bloody show ers
M rs Frazer it w o uld appear fell un der the
s us picio n o f de ali ng with evil i n place o f good
F or i n the year 1 6 9 1 sh e was called
s pirits
be fore the pres bytery and co nfes s e d That sh e
pre te nded to p rO ph ec yi ng and s eei ng o f vis ions
an d th at sh e h ad s i nn ed grea tly i n being deluded
by Satan caus in g her p ro ph ec i e an d see thi ngs
Her book w as appoin ted to be
fut ure
examin ed by t wo o f the pres bytery ; an d o n h e r
s eco n d appe aran ce sh e ack n ow ledged th at sh e
w as poss es s ed by s ome evil s pirit an d humbly
bes ought the prayers o f the min is ters an d o f all
others ; u po n w hich the further examinatio n o f
he rs elf and the w itn esse s w as delayed and we
hear n o more o f her
In A brie f Acco un t o f the Rev M r Thomas
F orre ster Min ister at Al va 8 m extant among
t h e W o dro w M S i s the follow in g an ecdote
I n th e
res pecting an extrao rdi nary dream
year 1 6 8 4 w he n the pers ecutio n was very hot
Mr F w as amo ng oth ers th at were i n tercom
m un e d an d w e n t over to Hollan d an d the n ext
year came over w ith t h e Earl o f Argyle i n the
He told me th at th e rs t
same shi p w i th him
n ight he s lept abo ard he dre amed th at all t h e
pers ons i n the ship were ed w hich m ade a great

A N E ! TRA O R D I N A R Y D REA M

1 67

impress ion u pon him but he told it to n o ne fo r

fear o f di sco uragi n g them
What follo w s i s
transcribe d as sho w in g h o w early Argyle and
hi s frie nds disagre e d w i t h r e gard to the plan o f
their un fortunate attempt
He told me th at
Po lwart Sir Joh n C ochran e an d others th e chie f
p e rs o ns con cern ed i n th at expedition we re di s
pl eas ed w ith the earl s co nd uct b ut did n o t k n o w
h o w to s igni e s o m uch u n to him and there fore
pitched upo n M r Forre ste r at w ho se h and th ey
expected h e w o uld be s t take it ; accord ingly he
told th e e arl with all the c autio n he co uld ; and
th e an s w er h e got from h i m w as
s uto r
Mr F orre s ter tu rn i ng from
ultr a c rcp i cla m
h i m i n a lit tle p e tt he took him by a b utto n o f
h i s coat an d told him That h e did n othin g in
all their affairs but by advice from tho s e wh o
w ere to l an d at th at time i n E ngl an d
say s Walker
e s peci ally
I n the year
i n the mo n ths o f J une an d July m any yet alive
c an w it n e s s th at abo ut th e C ro ss fo o rd bo at t wo
mile s b e n eath Lanark es peci ally at the Mai ns o n
the w ater o f Clyd e m an y people gathered to
ge ther for s everal aft e rn oo n s w here there w ere
sh o w ers o f bo n n ets h ats gu n s an d s w ords whi ch
covered the tree s an d groun d ; companie s o f m e n
i n arm s
i n orde r upo n the w ater s ide ;
co mpanies meetin g compan i es goi ng all t hrough
other an d the n all falli ng to the gro un d an d
,

WI TCH CRA F T

1 6 8 H I S TO R Y O F

I N S CO TLA N D

di sapp earin g an d oth er compan ies app earing the

s ame way
I w e n t there three aftern oon s to
gether an d as I co uld obs erve there were t w o
o f the people th at w ere together saw and a thi rd
that saw no t ; an d tho ugh I c ould see n othi ng
yet there w as such a fright and tre mbling u pon
the se that did se e th at w as di scernable to all from
thes e that saw n o t There was a ge ntleman
s tan di n g n ext to me w h o s pake as too m any
gen tleme n an d others s peak w h o said A p ac k of
,

dam n ed wi tc hes
s i ght,

an d war lo c lcs

the devi l ha t do I

that have the sec o n d

imme diately
there was a discern able ch an ge i n h is co un ten an ce
w i th as m u ch fe ar an d trembli n g as any w oman
wh o cried o u t
s aw there
0 all ye tha t do
n o t see s ay n o thi n g fo r I p er swade yo u i t i s
m atter of fac t an d di s c er n a ble to a ll that i s n o t
s to n e bli nd
an d the s e th at di d s e e
told wh at
w ork s the gun s h ad an d their le n gth and w iden e ss
an d w h at h an dle s the s w ords h ad w hether s mall
or th ree barred or Highlan d guards ; an d the
clo si ng kn ots of the bonn ets black or bl ue ; an d
thes e did see them t here w herever they we nt
abro ad saw a bon n et an d a s word drop i n the
I h ave bee n at a loss ever si nce w hat to
w ay
make o f thi s last
Walker i n w h at he calls h i s Po steri p t to the
Life o f Peden i s very angry w ith the s ceptical
pers ons wh o threw ridic ule upon this p assage
s ee,

an d

1 7 0 H I S TOR Y O F WI TCH CRA F T I N SCO TLA N D

tio n
to i t

in

the year

before the English

1 6 50,

After the battle o f Ki llic ranky

me

ca

w here fell

the
last h 0 pe o f Jame s i n the Vis count o f D undee
the ghost o f that hero i s said to h ave appeared
abo u t d aybre ak
to h i s con de ntial frie n d Lord
Balc arras the n co nn ed to Edin burgh Cas tle o n
s us picio n o f j acobiti s m
The spectre draw i ng
as ide the c urtain o f the bed looked very s ted
fas tly u pon the e arl aft er which it moved to
w ards the m antle piece rem ai n ed there fo r s ome
tim e i n a leanin g pos tu re an d then walked o u t
o f the ch amber w itho u t u tteri n g o n e w ord
Lord
Balc arras i n great s urpri se though n o t sus pecti n g
th at which he saw to be an apparition c alled
o ut repe ate dly to h i s frie n d to s top but received
n o ans w er ; an d s ub s eque n tly le ar nt th at at the
very moment this shado w s tood beside him
D un dee h ad breathed hi s las t n ear the eld o f
,

Killi c ran ky

Lady Mauritia
de N assau de Bev erwaert daughter o f the Lord
a n at ural s o n o f Maurice
o f Be v e rwae rt &c
Prin ce o f O range At her marriage the bride
groom h avi ng forgot to prep are a ring and
borro wed o ne from a frien d i n the company it
prov e d a mo urn ing rin g w ith a death s head o n
it ; thi s made such an impress ion u po n the l ady
t h at sh e declare d sh e co uld n o t live an d her pre
Lord

Balcarras

rs t w ife w as

A S I B YL S P RED I C TI ON

171

diction w as s peedily fulll e d as sh e died o f h er

rs t child i n le ss th an a year after her m arriage
Lin d say s M em oi r s M S To th is anecdote m ay
be added s ome u n common circum stan ces s till
remembered respecti ng the death o f Grace
C o unte ss o f Aboy n e an d M oray w h o i n her early
yo uth h ad the w eak n ess to con sult a celebrated
fortun e teller i n h abiti n g an ob scure clos e o f
Edin burgh The s ibyl predicted that sh e w ould
become the w i fe o f t w o e arls an d h o w many
childre n sh e w as to bear ; but wi t h al assured her
th at i f sh e should see a n e w coach o f a certai n
colour driven up to her door as belon gi ng to her
s el f her herse m us t s pee dily follow
M any years
after ward s
Lord Moray w h o w as n ot aware o f
this prediction resolved to s urprise h i s w i fe w ith
the presen t o f a n e w equipage ; but w hen Lady
M oray beheld from a w i n do w a carriage o f the
omi no us colo ur arrive at the door o f Tarnaway
and he ard t h at it w as to be her o w n property
sh e s an k do w n exclaimi n g th at sh e w as a dead
w om an an d actually expired i n a s hort tim e
1 7 th N o v 1 7 3 8
after
I n the year 1 69 7 occ urred the tri al an d c o n
de m nat i o n o f m an y pers on s fo r be witching
Christian Sh aw 3 girl abou t eleve n ye ars o f age
the d aughter o f Joh n Shaw o f Bargarran Th e
partic ulars o f this comic tragedy w ere collected
by Joh n Mac Gi lc h ri st to wn clerk o f Glas go w
,

1 7 2 H I S T O R Y O F WI T C H CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D

embodied i n a p amphlet w ritte n by M r

F ran cis Gran t advocate afterwards a kn ight an d
lord o f se ssio n w ith the style o f Lord C ullen

u
Th e title o f the w ork r n s th us
A T rue
N arrative o f the S ue ri n gs an d R elie f o f a
Young Gi rls s tran gely m ole s ted by Evil S pirits
a n d their In stru men t s i n the We s t ; collected
from auth e n t i c k Te s timo n ie s there ane n t
&c
To s um u p a long s tory i n a fe w w ord s t h e youn g
g irl wh o seems to h ave bee n an tien t i n w icked
n e ss h avi n g h ad a quarrel w ith o n e o f the m aid
s erv an ts prete n ded to be b e witched by h e r an d
to the common
forth w ith began
accordi n g
practice i n s uch case s to vomit all mann er o f
trash ; to be blin d and de af o n occas ion ; t o fall
i nto con vuls ions an d to talk a w orld o f n o n se ns e
w hich the he arers rec e ived as th e qui n tess e n ce o f
By degrees a great m any p e rson s
ali c t e d piety
w ere implic ated i n t h e g uilt o f the m aid s ervant
a n d n o le ss th an t w e n ty w ere co n dem n ed o f
w hom v e s uffe red de ath o n the Gallo Gree n o f
Pai sley ; an d o n e m an Joh n R eid stran gled him
s elf i n pri s o n or as the re port w e n t w as s tran gled
by the devil les t says C rauford i n h i s His tory
he should make a co n fessio n to
o f R e n fre wshire
the detrime n t o f the service
Yet he se ems to
h ave con fe ssed ab un d antly fo r he gave a lon g
acco un t o f h i s rs t i n tervie w w ith S atan
to
w ho se meeti ngs he an d the h aggs w ere su m
an d

'

1 7 4 H I S TO R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D

o ted the e gy o f M r Hardy a clergyman

aft er h avin g dipt it i n to a mixture o f ale and
w ater a ci rc um stance n o t gen eral i n that s ort o f
M i ss Sh awe the heroin e o f thi s
c ookery
romance after wards acquired a rem arkable dex
t eri ty i n spi nn in g o f yarn w hich sh e m anufac
tu re d i n to thread ; an d it was from her attempts
aided by a frie n d w h o h ad le arn t s ome s ecrets as
to the process whe n i n Hollan d that the exten
i n R en fre w shire
o f thre ad
s i v e m an ufac tu re
ori gi nated
About the year 1 7 1 8 sh e be
c ame the w i fe o f Mr M iller mi n is ter at Ki l
maurs It m ay be obs erved that the delus ion o f
w hich thi s w retched girl was the c aus e h ad a
s hocki ng proto type i n the m ad n e ss (fo r it c an be
e steemed n othi n g le ss) co n cern i n g s orcery th at
poss essed N e w E nglan d i n the ye ar 1 6 90 The
reader i s referred to Mather s pamphlets fo r the
details among w hich the con fess ion s are abun
dautly ridiculo us
From o n e o f the se but o f a
prior date it w ould appe ar that Br own i e h ad
made h i s w ay to N e w En glan d Mary Joh ns o n
t ried upo n an i n dictme n t o f famili arity w ith t h e
devil co nfessed that a devil was wo nt to do her
many servic es Her m as ter o nce bl amed her fo r
n o t car ryi ng o ut the as hes an d a devil did clear
the hearth fo r her afte rwards Her mas ter s en d
i ng her i nto a eld to drive o ut the hogs th at us ed
t o bre ak i nto it a devil wo u ld sec u r e t hem o ut
r as

WI T CH ES

A T P I T TEN

WE EM

1 75

m ake her laugh t o se e h o w he feaz d em

Se e The Witty an d En tertain i n g
abo ut
&c
Exploits o f George B uchanan com m only called
the King s F ool fo r an account o f a Scottish
Bro wn ie s ervan t to an Ital ian lord w hich George
baptis ed by su rpri se This w as i n Italy an d the
w e n t o ff w ee p i n g and cryi ng 0 let n ever
s pir it
a rogu e p ut tru st i n hi s o wn co un trym an aft er
me
The cas e o f the Pitten weem w itches i n the
year 1 7 04 excited a co ns iderable degree o f in ter
e st as i t i n volved t h e clerical debate s o f t w o
mini s ters o n e Epis copal t h e other Presbyterian
a nd w as marked w ith the b arb aro us m urder o f a
poor w oman n am e d Jan et C o rnfoo t w h o fell a
victim to the spite o f the clergym an the i n dolen ce
o f the magis trates an d the fury o f a br uti sh
rabble H e r acc user a fello w wh o prete nded to
t ake t s till he fo un d them n o lo nger pro table
delated her together w ith Beat rix L ai n g an d
i c te d him w ith thi s
o ther w ome n fo r h avi n g am
di sorder Immediately the w itches w ere sei ze d
an d s everal dru nk ard s as guard s s e t over them
i n pris o n w h o by din t o f pricki n g an d kee pin g
them from any repos e extorted confe ssion s
C o m fo o t decl arin g th at
afterw ard s retracted
the mi n i ster himself beat her w ith h i s staff i n
At las t sh e m an
o rder to m ake her s pe ak o ut
bu t bei n g
aged an es c ape fro m con n eme n t ;

an d

H IS TOR Y O F WI T CH CRAF T IN S CO T LAN D

1 76

an d

brought back to Pi tte n wee m the

m o b assaile d her an d n obody attempti n g h er
res c ue sh e was h auled do wn to th e beach pelted
with rubbi sh swun g i n a ro pe be tw i x t a ship an d
the shore an d a heavy door be i ng thrown u po n
her over which s to n es w ere heap ed sh e w as
nally press e d to death
Thi s horrible transac
tion gave ris e to several pam phlets criminati ng
an d defen din g th e mi ni s ter and the magis trates ;
but the m urdere rs were n ever brought to
Beattie Lai ng says the con tinuator o f Satan s
In vis ible World died u n desi red in her bed i n
St An dre ws ; an d all the other witc h es died
m i serable an d vi ole nt death s
With regard to mobbi n g i n the year 1 6 28 D r
Lamb a w izard wh o had bee n un de r th e proteo
tion o f the D uke o f B ucki ngham was torn t o

piec es by the London m ob Wilson s H i s tory p

28 7
An d i n credible to re late o n the 22d o f
April 1 7 51 a rabble o f about 5000 pers o ns bese t
the w ork hous e at Tri ng i n Hertfordshire where
s ei zi n g L uke O s born e an d hi s wife t wo pe rs o ns
s usp ec t ed o f wi tc h c ra they ducked t hem i n a
pon d till the o ld woman died Afte r which her
c orps e was p ut to bed to her h usban d by th e mob
o f w hom only o n e pe rso n was h anged fo r th i s
de testable outrage
In th e year 1 705 we learn fr om the Paroc hial
Reg is ter o f Spo tt th at m any witche s were burnt
caught

1 7 8 H I S T O R Y OF WI T CH CR A F T I N S CO T LA N D

m any others o f her accomplices w ere set at

liberty
Ho w ever tho people should de ny bo t h s piri t
an d an gel to be su re there are both spirits and
angel s good an d bad ; and accordin g to Scriptu re
there m ay be w itche s seei ng there was a w itch
at E n dor let people sa as they lis t ; but wh at i s
y
the esse nce o f spirits or wh at way the devil
makes use o f the se deluded cre atures or chan ges
them in t o v arious shapes o n occasion i s hard to
But w itho ut further prefaci ng t o
dete rmi n e
declare unto the w orld h o w the hous e an d family
o f M r M Gill mi n i s ter i n K i n ro ss h ath bee n fo r
a con s iderabl e time tro ubl e d by s piri ts or s uch
bein gs as t h e more politick an d ren ed sort o f
high yers call dreamers it i s hoped w ill n either
be o ffen s ive to this min i ster or any o f h i s relation s
or dis p arageme n t s eei ng the godly are th e o n ly
objects o f the devil s fury ; for such as the devil
i s sure o f he doe s n o t heed th em un til he h as
them at on ce
The r st occasion then o f this gen tleman s
house an d family being troubled was that the re
was s ome silver s poon s the n an d kn ives ami ss in g
f
n d i n the barn
w
u
reported
hich
ere
o
w
i
a
s
s
)
(
am o n g the s traw s ometime afte rward s stu ck up
i n the oor w ith a big di s h all n ipped to pie ce s ;
after w hich time they co uld eat n o me at b ut w h at
was full o f pi ns as o n e day as the min iste r was
.

WI T CH CRA F T

A T KI N RO SS

1 79

eati ng o f an egg he foun d a pin i n the egg and

mostly w hat meat they eat they had still abun
d an ce o f pin s : w herefore the min ister s wife
w o uld m ake ready a piece o f meat herself that
sh e might b e sure there w as n o deceit i n the
matter ; but w he n it was pres en ted to the table
there w ere s everal pin s i n it particularly a big
i
n
h
n
f
r h i s go wn
t
mi
i
s
ter
ed
o
other
e
u
s
A
n
d
a
p
y
there w as a pair o f sheets p ut to the green among
other peoples w hich w ere all n ipped to pieces
and n on e o f the li n n i n gs belon gi n g to others
troubled A certain n ight severals we nt to watc h
the hous e an d as o n e w as prayi ng do wn falls th e
press w herein was abundance o f lime ve ss els all
broke to pieces ; also at o n e other time th e
dreamers or s pirits as they call them n o t on ly
to re and des troyed the clothes th at w ere locked
up i n a c o er to piece s but the ve ry lap s o f a
gen tle w oman s hood as sh e was w alki ng along
the oor w ere c lipt away ; as also a w o man s
go wn tail an d m an y other thin gs n o t proper to
mention M oreover a cert ain girl eat ing some
meat turn ed s o very sick that be in g n ece ssitate
t o vomit cast up v e pi n s ; al s o a sto n e thro w n
down the chimn ey wambled a s pace i n the oor
an d the n took a ight o ut at the w i n dow
Also
there was thro wn i n the re the mi nister s Bible
which w ould n o t burn ; but a plate and tw o
s i lver s poo n s thro wn i n m elted i m medi ately ; also
,

1 8 0 H I S TO R Y O F WI T CH CR AF T I N S CO TLAN D

bread i s red w ere th e meal n ever so ne

i ts all made us eless and m any o ther thi ngs w hich
N ow i s
are both n ee dle ss an d s i nful to men ti o n
it n o t very sad that such a good and godly family
s ho uld be so mol es te d th at employ thei r t im e n o
other way but by prayi ng readi ng and serious
meditation w hile others wh o are wicked livers
all their lifetime an d av o w edly s erve th at w icked
o n e are n ever tro ubled
It s true thes e bad s piri ts or dreamers h ave
n o po w er o f the i r bodies but they exceedi ngly
dis quiet the fam ily ; which that th e ev ent m ay
redound to God s glory an d th i s hon es t fam i lies
s erio us prayer o f all good
ood
o
ght
to
be
the
u
g
people Pri nted J un e
w hat

C HAP TE R I!

an

to

1 71 8

Curi ous Acc ount of a case of

F raser s letter to

Woch ow

Wil liam M ontgomerie s

bert e E xami nati on

and

Wi tc hc raft i n Cai thness

'

an

Tame:

The Lo rd Advoc ate s letter to

P eti ti o n

arg ar et

N i n Gil
-

Confessi on

the Wo dro w M SS are so me letters

an d other p ape rs co nc e rn ing a cas e o f wi tc hcraft
which occurred i n Caith n es s i n th e year 1 7 1 8
As th ese h ave n ever bee n prin ted and are ex
t re m ely c u rious they are subjoi ned
AM O N G

1 8 2 H I S TO R Y O F WI T CH CRAF T I N S CO T LA N D

cle There i s th e c onfession of Margaret N in

Gilbe rt or Gilbe rtson att es te d as I des ired it
s hould be by the R ev Mr I nn e s
T h ere i s a
c opy o f Mo ntg o m eri e s petitio n a copy o f t h e
king s advocate Mr Dundas s lette r to th e shi ref
depute and h i s re turn
My uncle the abo ve me ntio ned ge ntleman i n
forms me farther as follo ws : That Margaret
O ls on men tion ed i n th e information was a te n
n an t
o f h is
w hom he h ad removed fo r th e
wickedn e ss o fher behaviour and p ut thi s William
erie i n her plac e She w as heard to
threate n an d c urs e him (Mo n tgo m eri e) and a
little time after her removal the house w as i n
fe sted i n m an n er as the petition bears ; that he
w as i nformed th at N i n Gi lbert co nfes s ed privately
th at this O ls on solicited her to do misch ief to Mr
Frazer w hich sh e said sh e h ad n o pow er n o r i n
but th at o ne n ight as he was cross
c li n at i o n to do
i ng a bridge there was an attempt u pon hi m
abou t which they w ere divided amon g thems elve s
He says he remembers perfectly well that hi s
hors e gave him a great deal adoe at that place
He
b ut th at by the Lord s goo dn e ss he es caped
that he h ad
says w hich like w i s e I re member
n e ss fo r ve or si x w eeks abo ut the tim e
re
a
t
s
ick
g
the se people were catc hed w hich tho ugh it w as
the c ommon story at t hat time h e w ill n o t hear
i m puted to them He adds that he thought this
un

WI T CH CRA F T

A T C AI T H N ESS

1 83

matter was th e more c arelessly man aged th at this

N i n Gilbert h ad been mid w ife to a cer tain great
lady and th at the res t agains t w hom sh e i nfor m ed
being put i n the same prison w ith her sh e was i n
a m ann er m urdere d ; this yo u ll keep to yo urs elf
Si nce I saw yo u i n Edin b urgh i n May l as t
t here h as been gre at n oi se o f w itchcraft i n the
p ari sh o f Loth in Sutherlan d by w hich the
m i n i s ter i s said to h ave s uffe red
He i s n o t yet
ho wever the thi ng h as been exami ned
recovered
int o an d th e w omen w ere I k n ow before the
pres bytery Th ere w as like w ise very lately a
If
rumo ur o f th at ki n d i n the p ari s h o f T arb at
there i s any thi ng i n these sto ries and that yo u
des ire to k n ow more about them I sh all e nd ea
vour to procu re the bes t i nformation
I presume to sugges t this much w ith re spect
to the p ublic ation o f these thi ngs th at m an kin d
w ill n o t h ave such val u e fo r this s ubj ect as w ill
m ake them be at great e xpen c e o f time or mo ney
fo r it ; but I reckon an exact j udicio us an d c o m
n di o us performan ce w ill be very accept able to
e
p
the w orld ; n o r kn o w I any band it i s s o likely
to thrive i n as yo urs I shall be ambitious to
se rv e yo u i n thi s an d an y thing e ls e yo u sh all
comman d me bei ng V R D B yo ur affecti on
brother and humble servan t i n the Lord
JAMES FRASER
-

A lnees, i n Ross, A

1 8 , 1 727

1 8 4 H IS TO R Y OF WI T CH CRA F T IN S CO TLA N D

The Ki ng s A dvoc ate to the She mf Dep ute

Cai thn ess
E di/h r 5th M ar ch, 1 71 9

S ir,

There are se verall ac coun ts come up he re o f

v e ry extrao rdi nary i f n o t fab ulo us di sc o veri es o f
wi tc hc rafts an d us i ng o f p ois ons i n yo ur co un ty
an d se verall o f the pe rs o ns are said to be i n c us
to dy I suppose by your warran d ; if there be any
truth i n these s tori e s I might be s u rpris ed that
n t o f it to m e
u
h
ve
t
mitt
d
n
co
It
o
u
r
a
n
s
e
o
a
c
a
y
i s the part o f every sherri f w hen thin gs o f that
kind fall out I mean dis coveries o f high crimes
to tran sm it ane accoun t o f it to thos e w hom hi s
m ajes ty i s pleas ed to employ to look aft er the se
mat te rs it bei ng o ur duty to advise both as to
the proper method and co urt before which these
thi n gs are to be prose cute and to take care that
t e d n o r t oo ras hly pros ec ute
c rimes n either be sh i f
I therefore give yo u the tro uble o f thi s to desire
o u w ith the rs t opportun ity to t ran sm i t t to me
y
full copies o f th e examin at ion an d declarati o ns
either of thos e pers on s wh o have be en appro
hended or as partn ers i n thos e m alec es o r as
e vi de n ce w ith relation to every p articular fac t
w hich the declaratio ns o f the persons apprehe n ded
m ay h ave led yo u to en qu ire i nto fo r I presume
k
o
yo
r
d
ty
n
u
u
s o w ell as n o t to h ave no
w
u
o
y
gleete d to t ake full exam ination s of every person
wh o yo u could suspect w as c ap able o f giving you
,

1 8 6 H I S TOR Y O F WI TCH CRAF T IN SCO TLA N D

A nswer

Thu rso, M ar ch 24th 1 7 1 9

Hon ourabl e Sir

I had yo ur s ch allenging m e for n o t trans mit

ting to yo u ane ac c ount o f some w itc hcraft al
ledged committed late ly in this c o un try w hich I
ackn o w ledge w as my duty t o h ave do ne ; but
exercising the ofc e o f sheriff only i n the abs enc e
o f the Earl o f Bro adalbi ne and U lbs te r wh o are
both at Edi n burgh I reckoned it presumption i n
me to transmit rst the ac c ounts to yo u but di
re c t e d them to be give n to
n
f
u
a
Wh
t
i
orm
o
a
y

n
tio I c an give i s as follow s In the month of
D ecembe r las t o n e William Mo n tgo m eri e m as on
i n B urn side o f Scrabs ter gave i n a petiti o n to the
s he ri ff repre s e n tin g t h at his hous e w as se ve rall
time s i n fested w ith cats to that degree that h e
n o r h i s family w ere i n safety to re side there any
longer and particularly con d es c en ded that u pon
the 28 t h of N ovember las t an d al so v e days
thereafter he h ad en coun tered with th e saids cats
i n h is ho use and w ith h i s s word an d s ome other
w eapons h ad ki lled t wo o f them an d as he ap
n ded h ad w o un ded s ome more o f them and
rehe
p
because ane w om an i n the neigh bourhood c o n
t rac te d s ick n ess immediately after these e n c o un
te rs craved ane w arran d from the sherrif to i n
s pect the w oman but could n o t con de sce n d i n h i s
petition upo n the person ; and this repres en tatio n

WI T CH C RA F T

A T CA I T H N ESS

187

eemin g all the time to be very in credulous an d

fabulous the sh e ri h ad n o m ann er o f regard yrto
There w as n o farther thought of thi s affair fro m
D ecember th at the represen tatio n w as n ot given
i n in till the 1 2th o f F ebruary l ast th at o n e Mar
garet N i n Gilbert i n O wst livi ng abo ut an e mile
an d an e h alf di stan t from M o n tgomery s house
was see n by some o f her n eighbo urs to drop at
her o wn door o n e o f her leggs from the m i dle
an d sh e bei ng u n der bad fame be fore fo r witch
c raft the le gg black an d p ut ri e d was bro ught
t o me ; an d immediately t hereaft er I ordered her
to be apprehen ded an d in c arcerated and sh e
having been examin ed upon the 1 8 th o f February
before me an d some mini sters an d pe rs ons o f
rep utation i n the place confessed her being i n
c omp act w ith the devil and s everal others
men tion ed i n her confession ; an d p articularly
that the time condescen ded upon by Mo n tgom eri e
i n h i s petition sh e w as bodily pre s e nt i n h i s
hous e tho ugh sh e appeared to him i n the li ke n e ss
o f a catt an d t h at her leg w as brok e by a s troke
received from him an d con descen ded u pon s eve
rall w ome n wh o w ere present with her i n Mon t
m
o
e ri e s ho us e th at ni ght w h o w ere s eized and
g
conti nue impriso n ed except t wo wh o dyed the
f
n
i
o
i
n
ht
the
e
co
ter
th
the
c
tt
u
n
w
i
a
s
M
n
t
o
o
ng
g
m eri e s ho use or a fe w d ays there after
Yo u
have the c 0 pi es o f petitio ns and confess io ns i n
s

'

1 8 8 H IS T OR Y O F WI T CH CRA F T IN S CO TLAN D

This Margaret N i n Gil bert dyed i n

pris on t wo w eek s o r thereby afte r emitting o f her
c o nfes s ion ; an d there are oth er three de famed by
h er wh o c on tinu es i ncarc erated but no t w i th stand
i ng o f gre at pai ns take n upon them cannot be
brought to any confession therefore have cause d
s um m o nd seve ral perso ns to see w h at c an be ex
h i bi te d an d m ade o u t ag ains t them ; and afte r
e xami n atio n yo u m ay expect an e accoun t o f the
Earle o f C aith n e ss w ho wi ll be ac quainted o f the
dys t o f exami natio n o f the said s pers on s so that
if h is lordsh ip w ill take the tro uble he m ay at
There are n o
tai n the same as j ustice o f peace
doubt i nformatio n se nt s ou th o f ch arms foun d
with the said Margaret N i n Gilbert an d th at
there w ere se v erall others defamed by her bes ide s
thes e seized ; but as to the charm s I n ever saw
n o r heard o f an
f
o
d
w
ith
her
n
r
w
I
pre
u
n
o
a
s
y
se n t at her fyl in g o f an y person but tho s e w h o
are men tio n ed i n her con fe ss ion here w ith s e n t
c l sed.

u
o
y

To the Sherri f Dep ut

C
t
P
e
a
i
h
n
es
s
t
t
h
e
t
o
i
i
n
f

Wi lli am M on tgom ery M ason

,

cr
a
b
t
e
r
s
S
f

i n the Bu rn si de

Hu m bly sheweth

That your petition er s hous e being infeste d

with catt s the s e th ree mo nth s bygone vi z Sep
tember O ctober an d N ovember to that degree
,

1 90 H I S T O R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D

my servant bei ng i n bed c ryed o ut That s ome

o f thes e c atts h ad come i n o n h i m ;
an d h aving
w rapt the plaid abou t the c att I t hrus t my d urk
through h e r belly and havi ng xed the d urk i n
the gro un d I drove all her h ead w ith th e back
o f an e axe un till sh e was dead an d bei n g cast o ut
D eclare s that
c o uld n o t be fo un d n ext mornin g
both catts w ere dead i n my apprehension and
w as t hro ught with my d urk yet n o t o ne drop o f
blood came from them F urther declares That
after the s t ri c ke st e n quiry n o n e o f the s e catts
belonged to any in the n e i g bo urh oo d ; th e o ne
n ight I saw e ight o f them an d thi s looki ng like
w itchcraft it bein g th reate n ed that n one sho uld
thrive i n my said hous e,an d bein g in formed that
s ome pers o n o f bad fame fell s ick immedi ate ly
u po n the back o f this an d co n ti n ued to be afxed
to her bed I earn estly desire the same person
m ay be i n spected i n cas e any w oun d s be foun d o n
her body And yo ur petitio n er shall ever &0
Si c s u br (WI LLM M O N TGO M ERIE ) D eer 1 7 1 8
,

2 hurso , 8 th F ebru ar y, 1 7 1 9 year s

of M r J ohn M wnr o , M i n i ster

'

I n p r esen c e
at H ali hi r k,

Davi d F o r bes Bai lzi e of Thu rso A n dr ew

Balfo u r M er c han d ther e Jam es M ahy Wi l
,

li am M u n r o ,

an d

A n drew M u n r o , M er c han ds

ther e

The

id

sa

Mr

William I nnes min ister

,

of

WI T CH CRAF T

A T CAI T H N ESS

1 91

Th urso h aving i n te rro gat M argaret N i n Gilbert

w h o w as apprehe n ded F ryday last o n suspicion

1 m o Bein g i nterrogat
o f wi tc h raft as follo w s
If ever there was any compact betw ee n her an d
the devil Confess ed That as sh e was travelling
s ome lo n g time bygon e i n an e even in g the de v i ll
mett w ith her i n the way i n the like ness o f a
m an an d en gage d her t o take o n w ith him which
sh e co n s e n ted to ; an d th a t sh e s aid s h e k n e w hi m
to be th e de vi l or he parted w ith her 2do Bei ng
i n t erro gat If ever the devil appe ared afterwards
to her ? C onfes sed Th at s ometimes he appeared
i n the liken e ss o f a great black hors e an d o ther
times ridin g o n a black horse an d that he ap
d
s ometi m e s i n the like n e s s o f a black
e
a
r
e
p
c lo ud an d s ometime s like a bl ack hen n
3 to
Bein g i nt errogat If sh e was i n the house of
William Mo n tgo m eri e m as on i n the B urnside
especially o n th at n ight the
o f S crab s te r
w he n th at ho us e w as dre adfully
day o f
i nfe sted with sev erall catts to that degree that
W M fore said was obliged to use sw ord durk
an d ax i n be ati n g an d frayi ng away the se catts ?
C on fe ssed That sh e was bodily pre s e n t yr and
that the said M h ad broke her legg eithe r by t h e
d urk or ax w hich legg sin ce h as fallen o from
the other part o f her body ; and that sh e was i n
t he like n e ss o f a feltered catt n ight forsaid i n
the said hous e ; an d th at M argaret O lso n e was
-

'

1 9 2 H I S TO R Y OF WI TCH CR AF T IN SCO TLAN D

there i n the liken e ss o f a c att als o wh o being

s tronger th an sh e did c ast her o n Mo ntgo m eri e s
dur k w hen her leg w as broke n
4to Bei ng i nte rro gat H o w sh e c o uld be bodily
p res en t an d yet i n visible
D ec lares She might
have bee n seen e but could give no accoun t by
w hat means her body was rendered in vis ible
S h e declares That s everal other women w ere
pre sent there that n ight i n the other end o f the
hous e Bei ng i nterrogat H o w they came n o t to
be seene seeing they w ere n o t there i n the lik e
n e ss o f catts as w ere others con des cen d e d o n ?
D eclares Th e devil did hide and c o nc eall them
by raisi ng a dark mist or fog to skreen them from
being s een 5to Being i n terrogat Who more
w ere pres en t w ith her i n that hous e the forsaid
Con fess es That Margaret O ls o n e spouse
n ight ?
to D on ald Barn ey was pre sent there bodily ;
i tem an d Jann et Pyper s pous e to David Mack
ryri e w as pre s e n t there w ith a re d petticoat
u po n her ; i tem and that Helen An dre w s pouse
t o Joh n Si n clair i n O w st was pres en t t here the
s aid Hele n An dre w bein g so w o un ded an d cru shed
an d bru ised w ith either s w ord ax or d urk th at
s h e dyed the same n ight o f her w o un ds or fe w
days yrafte r ; i tem co nfe ssed th at Margaret Cal
lum s pouse to Jame s More n o w i n F orss was
pres en t there ; an d that
M Hui stan s pouse
t o William M Ky i n Skai ll was there pre sen t ;
,

1 9 4 H IS TO R Y O F WI TC H CRA F T IN S CO T LA N D

Mr O swald mi ni s ters

eve ral hon es t w ome n

An d
an d Bai lzi e F orbe s w ere wi tness es to this
further th at while the n ee dle was i n her sh o ulder

as foresaid sh e said
Am no t I an e hone s t
wo m an no w ?
,

and s

C HAPTER !

AD
.

1 7 20 T o A D

Lord Torp hi c hen e S on Bew i tc hed

Th

las t Exec uti o n

ler ia n Doc tor

The t

Sc o tti sh

Wi tc h

The S ta tutes

W
n
d
h
El
i
o
n
T
e
e
r
W
l
i
t
h
r
e
e
a
e
d
a
R
c
g

p
g

The Mi ni s ter of Salcra ig

Rutherford s Revelati o ns

reg ar di n

The Lai rd

IN

o o l s Ghos t
C
f

the year 1 720 Patri ck S andilands (th ird so n

o f Jame s Lord Tor hiche n
mi
s
chievo
boy
a
u
s
)
p
to ok it i n to h i s head to declare th at s ome old
w omen and a m an i n Calder h ad be witched him ;
h e fell dow n i n tran ces from w hich no hors e
whippi ng could rous e him till he c hose h i s o w n

u
n
time to revive pron o ced prophesies made
uri n e the colo ur o f i n kw as li fte d u
n to the
i
p
ai r by i nvis ible h ande an d i n ne s o w orked
upo n the fe ars an d affection s o f h i s family th at
Lord Torphichen at le ngth gave c redit to the
falsehoo ds he utte red and h i s torme n ters w ere
se i ze d
F rom c ircums tances it i s probable that
,

L ORD

T O RP H I OH EN S SO N

1 95

the child s brai n w as disordered The m in iste r

o f the p ari sh and m an y others , quickly caugh t

the in fection a fas t was proclai m ed at M i d

Calde r an d th e s erm on preached o n th at occa
s ion by M r Joh n Wilkie m i n i s ter o f the go s pel
at Uph all was after wards pri n ted by de s ire o f
Lord Torphiche n At this discourse were prese nt
t wo o f the co nfe ss ing w i tche s ; an d Wilkie i n h is
prefac e says that three m ore subsequen tly ao
kn o wledged t heir guilt To com plete the as se m
blage o f sages William M itchell th e m ad Tin k
leri an D o ctor a h as Whit e Sm ith s allied fort h
from h i s shop i n the W est Bo w o f Edi n b urgh i n
order to exorcise the evil spirits at Calder
I
to Calder the 1 4th day o f Janu
w e nt says he
ary 1 7 20 be fo re day li ght bei n g eight m ile s i n
ill w eather fas tin g o n m y foot I took the sw ord
nd a s m all w an d i n
o f th e s pirit at m y bre as t a
m y han d as D avi d did whe n he w en t o ut to gh t
again st Go liah ; s o I w en t to cas t the devil o ut
S o ye see th at I
o f m y Lord T o rph i c h an s s o n
was n ot lyin g i n m y letter th at I w rote to Tille
h ewn when I said Peter an d I w ere tw o bold fe l
lo ws When I w en t to h i s house h i s servants
were eati n g an d dri nkin g altho ugh he h ad ap
oi
nted i t to be a fas t day i n order to get the
p
devil out o f h i s house I do think they m igh t
have fasted untill th e serm on was o ver upon suc h
fere d m e s om e bu t
a w e ighty b usi n e ss ; an d they of

1 9 6 H I S TO R Y O F WI TCH CRAF T

IN S CO TL A N D

I took neither m eat n o r dri nk o f h i s So m e thi nk

it a fas t day w hen t hey h ear a m i ni ster preach
fo r th e p aym e n t
Then I w en t to m y lord an d said I w as sent
by God to com e to cast o ut the devil o ut o f h i s
He seem ed to be like
s o n by faith i n Chri s t
th at lord w h o h ad the ch arge o f the gate o f
S am aria Then I said t o h i m My lord do ye
Then he h ad m e go an d s peak
n o t believe m e ?
but I
to m any m i n i st e rs th at w as n e ar by h i m
I w as n o t se n t to the m
Th e n he w e n t
s aid
hi m self and sp oke to them w hat I said but they
w ould n o t hear o f it s o I w e n t to th ree w itc he s
an d a w arlock to ex am i n e the m i n sun dry pl aces
T wo o f the m denye d an d t w o o f the m co n fe ssed
I have n o room here to relate all down th at I
s aid to the m an d w h at they said ; but I asked
t he m
When t hey took o n i n th at service ?
The w i fe said M an y ye ars and the m an said
It w as te n years to h i m
Then I asked the wife Wh at was her reason
fo r takin g o n w ith the devil
And sh e said
He prom i sed her riches an d sh e believed h i m
Then sh e called h i m m any a cheat and liar i n m y
heari ng The n I w en t to the m an becaus e he
was a g reat profe ss or an d could talk o f religi on
w ith any o f the p arish as they th at w as h i s
n eighbo urs said
an d he was at Bothell Bridge
gh ti n g against th e ki ng ; an d becaus e o f th at I
.

1 9 8 H I S TOR Y OF WI T OH C RAF T

O ne

of

IN S CO TLA N D

wh o m

co nfe ss ed that sh e gav e h er dead

c hild t o the devil to m ake a roas t o f
Th e bo y
w ho m th ey w ere s uppo s ed to h ave to rm en te d i n
m ore m ature life bw am e an excellen t sailor ; an d
h avi n g obtained the com m an d o f an East I n di a
vess el fo r h i s gallant cond uct i n rep ulsing a p arty
o f the pirate An ri a s m e n after they h ad boarded
g
her he nally perish ed i n a storm
The Ti n kle ri an Docto r (re ferred to i n the pre
cedi ng) as he cho se to be called was a craz ed
w hi te iron s m ith w
h o i m agi n ed him self m uch
w iser th an t h e Archbishop o f Can te rbury all the
clergy m en o f h i s n ative co un try an d even the
m ag istrates o f Edi nb urgh ! He pri n ted a n um ber
o f p am phlets an d s i n gle
full o f very
shee ts
am us i ng n o nse ns e an d ge n erally adorn ed the m
In o n e
w ith a w oode n c ut o f the M itc hell Arm s
o f the se h e gives a c uriou s acco un t o f a jou rn ey
w hich he m ade i n to Fran ce w here he afrm s
the king s court i s si x ti m es bigger than th e
ki ng o f Britai n s ; hi s guards h ave all feath ers i n
their h ats and their hors e tail s are to their heels ;
an d their kin g i s o n e o f the be s t favo ured boy s

that yo u c an look upo n blyth like w ith black

hair ; an d all h i s people i n gen e ral are better
n atu red th an either the S co ts or E n gli sh except
the priests Their wom en seem to be m ode st fo r
they h ave n o farding gales The greates t w on der
I saw i n F ran ce w as to see the bra people si t
.

'

'

T B Y TH E N A D TI N KLER IAN D O C TO R

A OO O UN

1 99

their knees i n the clarty gro u nd w hen

the pries t com es by carrying the cross to give a
s ick pers o n the sacram e n t
I h ave continues
t hi s e m in e n t d i vi n e an d his torian
a good pe n ny
w orth o f p euth er s poon s n e like s ilver n on e
s uch m ade i n Edi nb urgh ; an d s ilke n pocks fo r

w iggs an d F re nch w hite pe arl be ad s

all t o be
s old fo r little or n othi n g
Se e A p art o f the
Works o f the Em i n en t D i vi ne an d Hi stori an
Doctor William Mitchell Profe ssor o f Ti n klari en
i s m i n the Un ive rs ity o f the Bo w Head bei n g a
s ys e o f Divi n ity Hum an ity Hi s tory Philo s ophy
Law Physick ; co m po sed at various O ccasio ns fo r
h i s o w n sati sfaction and the World s i llum ina
tion 8 m O n e o f h i s last prod uction s w as a
pam phlet o n the m urder o f Captai n Porteous
w hich he co nclude s by s ayi ng
If the ki ng an d
c lerg y gar h an g m e fo r w riti n g thi s I m co nten t
because it i s long si n ce any m an w as han ged for

reli io n
g
The las t execution o f a S cottish w itch to ok
place i n S utherlan d AD 1 7 22 the s en ten ce
h avi ng bee n pron oun ced by the sheriff depute
This old
C aptai n D avid Ro ss o f Little De an
w o m an belo nged to the p ari sh o f Loth an d
am o n g other cri m es w as acc u s ed o f h avi n g rid de n
tran sform ed in to a
u po n her o w n daughter
pon ey an d shod by the devil wh i ch m ade th e
gi rl ever after lam e both i n h ands and feet
do w n

on

200 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

t iled upon h er so n wh o was

aliv e o f late ye ars
The grandm other was exe
oute d at D orn och ; an d it i s said th at afte r be in g
bro ugh t o ut to executio n the w eather provi ng
very severe she sat com pos edly warm ing he rs elf
by th e re prepared to consum e h er while the
o ther i ns trum e nts o f de ath w ere m ak ing re ady
It i s well k no wn th at i n the year 1 73 5 the
S cottis h as w ell as
statutes agai ns t w itchcraft
Engl ish w ere repealed ; w hich gave so m uch
offen ce to th e sec eders fro m the Established
Ch urch o f S cotlan d th at i n their ann ual C o n
fess i o n o f N atio n al an d Pers o nal Si ns pri n ted i n
an Ac t o f their Ass oci ate Pres bytery at Edin
bu rgh 1 7 43 are e num erated the Ac t o f Q uee n
An n e s Parliam e n t fo r tolerati n g the Epis cop al
Religion i n S cotlan d ; the Act fo r Adj ourn in g the
Court o f Se ss ion d uri n g the Chris tm as Holydays ;
as also the P en al S tatu tes agai n st Wi tc hes ha vi n g

m isfortune

en a

been

by P ar li am en t, co n trary to the
La w of Go d ! With all the com p ass ion ,

rep ealed

exp r ess

ho wever which the fate o f so m any unfortunate

victi m s is calcul ate d to excite it o ught no t to be
forgotte n that m an y o f the se perso n s m ade a boas t
o f their s upposed art i n order to i n ti m idate an d
e xtort from their n eighbo urs w h atever they de
s ired ; th at t h ey w ere freque n tly o f an aban don ed
life addicted to horrible oath s and im precations ;
i n s everal cas es v e n ders o f do wnright
and
,

2 02 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

everal ti m es he heard h eave nly m usick

w he n at praye r and of m any pe rs o ns that ap
re d un to h i m i n w hite rai m e nt ; als o h o w o n
a
e
p
the 9 th o f August at night as he w as prayi ng
he fell in to a trance and saw th e state o f t he
dam n ed i n everlas ti ng torm e n t an d th at o f the
blessed i n glory ; an d bei ng the n w arn ed o f h is
d eath by an angel he afte rw ard s ordered hi s
c o fne and grave to be m ade an d in vi te d h i s
p aris hio ners to hear h i s l as t s erm on w hich h e
preach ed the S unday follow i n g h av ing h is c o ne
b efore h i m an d the n declared h i s v is ion s ; and
h o w he saw D e ath ridi n g i n tri um ph o n a pale
hors e o f the m essage he h ad give n h i m to warn
the inh abitan ts o f th e earth o f the w rath to com e
a n d o f hi s dyi ng i n the p ulpit whe n he h ad
delivered the sam e ; lastly o f h i s bu rial and o f
t h e h arm o n io us m us ick th at w as heard i n the ai r
d uri ng h i s e n te rm ent
We w hose n am es are after m e n tion ed do
c e rt i e the w i thin pri n ted rel atio n to be true an d
des ire that the sam e m ay be published to t he
w orld
Pri n te d i n the year
This s ee m s decidedly an English forgery
Brightly s aw t he N e w Jerusale m o f w hich th e
1 2 gates w ere 1 2 pe arls an d the street s pure
gold
He dropt do wn i n th e pulpi t w hich caus ed
t h e people to give a great o utc ry: They fetcht
how

at s

A WO N DERF UL

VI S I O N

h av e made th e h ardest h eart t o

see

sh e d a

t ear, t o

t h e lam en tati o n t hat was made fo r thi s h oly

m an

He was

a c om ely c o rp , and

res e m blanc e o f o y

Th e

di ed wi th th e

i n h is fac e

nam es o f th e c e rti ers are ,

T ho m as R iv es , M in is te r

Pete r Laplasse t
R ichard Jones
A Wo nderful Vis ion o r Pro p h ec i e wh ic h was
re v ealed t o Wi lliam Ru th e rfo rd Farm e r i n t h e
S hi re o f t h e Merse n ear Dan c e u p o n t h e 1 9 th o f
Marc h 1 7 1 9
Wi th a Desc r iptio n o f w hat shall
be fall G reat Bri tain e s pe cially Sc otlan d ; w h erei n
is an Ac coun t o f the w on de rful Thi ngs t hat shall
v i z s uch as
reat w ars
c o m e u po n S cotland
g
fam i n e and d eath an d p e opl e o f a st range
languish s hall be fro ges th ro ughout o ur w h o le
land ; w ith se v eral s ig ns and t o ke ns before t h e
ac co m plis h m e n t o f the! e things ; all w hich was
farm er i n t h e
re v e aled to William R uth e rford
M e rc e by an an ge l w hich appeared un t o hi m as
h e w as p rayin g i n hi s c o m yard w h o ope n ed up
t o h i m strange vi s io n s unkn o wn to th e in h abi t
ants o f th e e arth w ith t h e dread ful w rath th at i s
c o m i ng o n Bri tai n w it h an ec lipse o f th e go s pel
.

204 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRA F T IN

CO TL A N D

the great death th at shall befall m any w h o

sh all he s ud de nly snatc h t away before th ese
thi ngs com e to pass ; als o th e glorious deliverance
th e ch urch w ill get afte r the se sad ti m es are over ;
w ith t h e gre at ple nty th at w ill follo w i m
m ediately thereaft e r w ith the con vers ion o f th e
h eathe n n atio ns
M eal s old for fo ur s hilli n gs per
boll
The truth o f this vision is atte s ted by the
m in is te r o f th e paris h and fo ur hon es t m en wh o
w e re eye an d ear w itn e ss
E dinburgh pri nted
at the foot o f the Hors e Wy nd
R utherford bein g a ve ry pious m an was at
prayer o n e eve ning i n h i s o wn corn yard w he n
at 4 5 m i n ute s p as t seve n an angel appe ared t o
h i m an d de sired th at he w ould s um m on the
m in i s te r o f the p ar i sh and fo ur hon e s t m e n
n am ely Mr Joh n Lam b heritor ; Robert A n der
so n ch urch elder ; Alex an der Cock farm er ; an d
Wi lliam D ove cordin er t o be pre sen t at h i s re
v elat i o ns th at th e w orld m ight h ave n othin g t o
obj ect t o the truth o f h i s appearan ce
The
m in i s ter (M r Jam es S m ith) an d the rest cam e
accordi ngly
The m i ni stbr politely in vited t he
an gel to go i nto a ho us e but he w o uld n o t an d
proceeded to reveal w hat i s set forth i n the title
page After w hich he as cended i n the clo uds to
their great am azem en t
The only other pam phlet to be m en tion ed as
w ort hy o f n otice i s A Wo nde rful an d True Ao

and

206 H IS TOR Y

Are

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

CO TLA N D

dwi ndled do wn in to a very few old wo

m en de em ed un luc lci e by their lo wly n eigh bours
m ore from havin g be en born w ith w hat is t erm ed
an evi l eye th an from any fo rmal c o m pac t w ith
th e arch e nem y o f m anki nd
no w

APPE N D I!
N O TE 1

T H E CO N VE YAN CE O F I N DI VI D UALS T H R O UGH T H E

A I R B Y WI T CH CRA F T
.

Page 56

Th ou gh the author o f th e pam phlet yi elds

the
n o belie f t o t h e an ecdote o f th e pedlar
w ooden c ut w hich e m bellis he s h i s w ork exhibits
th e gure o f a m an asleep i n a cellar w ith others
Vi de frontis
banq ue tt i ng i n the back g ro un d
piece In Aubrey s M is cellan ies i s a sto ry o f an
an c es tor o f t h e Lord D uffus w h o was s udde n ly
tran sported th rough the ai r from Sc otlan d to
Paris where h e found hi m s elf i n the French
King s c ellar w ith a silver c up i n hi s h and In
th e year 1 6 9 5 this c up was s till i n th e po ss ess io n
See Lord F o un tai nh all s D eci
o f t h e fam ily
si o ns vol i p 1 5 fo r a c urious ac co un t o f th e
it betw ix t Mr David
re n cou n t e r as he calls
William son s choolm as ter at Co uper and the
R o s icruci ans wh o co uld m ake their s pirits bri ng
n obl e Gre ek wi n e fro m the Pope s c ell ars
to
C o uper and feasted the s chool mas ter at London
w ith all th e vari e tie s o f delicate m eats w here
they w ere all serve d by s piri ts
The truth o f
th i s s to ry Lord Fo un tai nh all h ad from William
so n s so n m in is te r o f Ki rkaldi e wh o de n ied the
v e ry un sav oury con clus ion w ith wh ich re por t
h ad dele d th e ban quet
,

208 H I S TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

CO TL A N D

N O TE 2

T H E M A RKS O F

A WI T CH

There h ave

be e n m any fo und i n wh om s uch

c h arac ters h ave co n c urred
as
by th e observ a
ti o n o f all a e s and n ati o ns are sy m p to m s o f a
witc h ; p artic ul arly the w i tch s m arks m a la
m
a i nability to shed te ars etc
the
a
o
a
ll
f
m
f
provi de nti al di scoveries o f s o d ark a crim e an d
w hich like ave n ues lea d u s to the s ecret o f i t
T i s tr ue o n e m an thro ugh the co nc urre n ce o f
corros ive h um o urs m ay h ave an i ns e ns ible m ark
an other m ay be e n v i o usly de fam ed an d a thi r d
thro ugh s udde n grie f or m el an choly n o t be able
to w eep O n e or other o f th e s e m ay c o nc urr i n
th e i nn oce n t b ut n o n e do at te s t th at all o f the m
h ave co n c urred i n any o ne pers o n bu t a w i tch ;
a n d ti s re as o nable to thin k th at the s e i n dici a
taki ng place i n w i tc he s through all pl aces i n the
w orld do proceed fro m a c o m m o n cause rather
th an a pec uliar h um our Ti s b ut ration al to
thi nk th at the devil api ng God sho uld im pri nt
a sacram e n t o f h i s cove n an t ; an d it is tho ught
by m an y o f grea te s t rep ute i n the learn ed w orld
that w h ats oever way w hether by accide nt or
oth erw is e s uch inse ns ible m arks be i n the body
yet n o such m ark as th eirs every c irc um s tance
co nsidered i s to be fo un d wit h any oth er but
th emselves I n eed n o t i ns is t m uch i n describi ng
,

2 1 0 H IS TOR Y

WI T CH C RA FT

OF

IN S

CO TLA N D

ther felt a p ain n o r did bleed no r k n ew

t h e preci se ti m e w he n thi s w as doi n g to the m

ng
aw s
t
h
eir
eye
o
n
ly
bei
a
l
s
o
L
S
e
e
s
(
Mom o rialls p 1 3 0 n ote
w o m en ,

na

N O TE 3

SI CKN ESS LA I D BE N E A T H

BA R N D O O R

Pag e 98

An sw ers ,

thi s article i s both im probable

becaus e it i s o ffered to be
an d i m po ss ible
prove n that t wo ye ars i n te rv e an ed betw een
Its a s trange s e n sele ss ne ss i n
th e s ickn e ss e s
t h e dittay to say th at s ickn e ss sho ul d be laid
be neath a barn e door s eei ng s ick n ess c an n ot be
i nh erent i n any thin g save a li vi ng c reat ure There
As to th e
i s a like fable report ed i n A rio s to
dan cing o f the rlo t i t s certain that it w as a
dis te m p erat o r i n the s ubject i d est i n the pers on s
brain th at saw it fo r he w as m ad
As to t h e
m ark o n the li n t ell de n ie s o n ie s i c m ark ; as to
h i s death offers to prove th at he w as cured by
John P urve s chir urgeon lived eleven y ears afte r
an d h ad childre n
,

N O TE 4

ON B UR YI N G A N D B UR N I N G
Page 99

In

8.

crafts

A N I M ALS A LI VE

D ialogue con cern i ng Witches

an d

Wit ch
by George Giffard m in is ter o f God s

B URN I N G A N I M A LS A LI VE
w ord

Maldon

1 6 03, i s

21 1

tory o f a w itch
w h o e m ployed an i m p i n the sh ape o f a c at to
de s troy three hogs an d a c o w belo ngi ng to a
farm er w hom sh e h at ed
The m an s us pecti ng
burn t a pig alive an d as sh e sayd her c at w ould
n ever go thith er an y m ore
By the w ay it
does n o t seem to h ave bee n s o m uch the c us tom
o f the devil to give im ps (or p uc krels as they are
c alled i n thi s book ) to h i s n o rthern as to h i s
In the s am e black let ter
En glish s ubj ects
D ialogue o ne o f the s peakers says
I w as o f
a n other j u rie s i n c e an d there w as a w om an i n
dicted fo r a w itch but n o t fo r k illin g an y m an or
There c am e i n ve or si x again s t her ;
c hilde
the rst w as an old w o m an an d sh e sayd sh e h ad
dis pleas ed her as sh e thought ; and w ithin t wo
o r three n ights after as sh e sate by her re there
w as a thin g like a to ade or like so m e little crabbe
sh w hich did c re e p e u po n the h arth sh e tooke
a bee s o m e an d sw ept i t aw ay an d s udde n ly her
bodie w as griped Another fel o ut w ith her as
s h e said an d her he nn es began to die u p u n till
A third m an cam e i n
s h e bu rn t o n e h e n alive
he had
an d he said sh e was o n ce angrie w ith h i m
a dun c o w w hich w as tyed u p i n a ho us e fo r it
w as i n w in ter ; he feared that s o m e evil w o uld
follo w an d fo r hi s life he co uld n o t co m e i n
w here sh e w as but h e m ust n eed s take u p h er
T wo or three others
tayle an d ki sse un der it
at

O Y OF

21 2 H I S T R

WI T CH CRAF T

IN SC

O TL A N D

id sh e was by co mm on fam e
W e foun d h er g ui lti e and sh e
ac coun ted a w itch
was co n de m n ed to p ris on and to the pi llo ri e but
sto o d s t i e i n i t th at sh e was n o w i tc
i n,

c am e

an d sa

N OTE 5

P E C ULI A R CA P S O F T H E SE VE N TEE N T H CE N T UR Y

P age 11 6

I n Giard s

an d

D i alogue con cern i ng Wi tches

Wi tc hcrafts 1 6 03 i s a s tory o f a w om an w h o
repai red to a c u n n i n g m an s uspecting t hat
her h us band h ad died o f w i tchery thro ugh
He sho w ed
t h e in cantatio n s o f a n eighbo u r
her the w om an as plai n e i n a glas s as w e s e e
o n e an other an d i n the very appare ll s h e w e n t
i n at th at hou re ; fo r sh e w ore an old red c ap
w ith corn ers s uch as w om en w ere w on t to w e are
Thes e
an d i n th at sh e appe ared i n the glas s e
caps rem i nd o ne o f th at us ed durin g h i s s tudies
by Pryn n e wh o accordi ng to Aubrey was o f a
Si r C W sayd
s tran ge s atu rn i n e co m plexion
o n ce that he h ad the co un tenance o f a w itch He
w ore a lo ng qu ilt c ap which cam e t w o or thre e
i n ches at leas t over h i s e i es w hich served h i m as
an u m brella to de fe n d h i s c ie s fro m the light
Lives ofE mi ne n t M en p 508
,

21 4 H I S TOR Y

WI TCH CRAFT

OF

IN S

CO TLA N D

yi ng Madam yo ur h usban d and

father I bred up here an d I k ne w yo ur gran d
father ; I k no w yo u to be a ge n tle w o m an I w ill
but gett yo u go n e fo r a
no t s ay yo u are a w
very w o m an
A t the co n cl usion o f Beau m on t s
Tr ea tise of Sp i ri ts i s a ve ry re m ark able acco un t
o f the death o f a yo u n g lady com m u nicated by
the Bishop o f Glo uces ter which m ay properly be
added to thi s n otice re s pecti ng the d aughte rs o f
Lo rd Hollan d
Si r C h arles Lee by h i s rs t
l ady h ad o nly o ne daughter o f w hich sh e died i n
child birth ; and when sh e was dead her s ister
the Lady Everard des ired to h ave the education
o f the child an d sh e w as by her very w ell e du
c at e d till sh e w as m arri age able an d a m atch w as
con cl uded fo r her w ith Si r William Perki n s bu t
w as the n preve n ted i n an extraordi n ary m an n er
Upo n a Th ursd ay n ight sh e thin ki n g s h e saw a
light i n her cham ber aft er sh e was i n bed k n ocked
fo r her m aid w h o pres e ntly cam e to her an d sh e
w h y sh e le ft a candle b urn i n g i n h e r
asked
cham ber ? The m aid sai d sh e le ft n o ne an d
t here w as n on e bu t w h at sh e bro ught w ith her at
that tim e th en sh e said it was the re b ut th at
h e r m aid told h e r w as q uite o ut ; an d s aid s h e
believed it was o nly a dream w here upo n sh e said
it m ight be so an d co m posed hersel f agai n t o
but abou t t w o o f the clock sh e w as aw ak
sleep
e n ed again an d saw the apparitio n o f a littl e
F e nsh aw e,

sa

P RE

CO GN I TI O N OF DEA TH

21 5

w o m an

betw een her c urtain an d her pillo w w h o

told her sh e was her m other that sh e w as
h appy an d th at by t w elve o f the clock th at day
w here u pon s h e k n ocked
sh e s hou ld be w ith her
called fo r her clothes and
agai n fo r her m aid
w he n sh e w as dre ss ed w e n t i n to her clos et an d
c am e n o t o u t ag ain till n i n e an d the n bro ught
o ut w ith her a letter s e aled to h e r father ; bro ught
it to her aun t the Lady Everard told her w hat
had h appe n ed an d decl ared th at as s oon as sh e
w as de ad it m ight be s e n t to h i m ; but the l ady
t ho ught sh e w as su dde n ly falle n m ad an d there
u po n se n t pre s en t ly aw ay to Chel m s ford fo r a
physician an d su rgeon w h o both cam e i m m e
di at ely ; but the phy s ici an c o u ld dis cern n o i ndi
c atio n o f w h at the l ady i m agi n ed or o f any i ndi s
po s itio n o f her body ; n otw ith stan din g the lady
w o uld n eed s h ave her let blood w hich w as do n e
accordin gly ; an d w he n the yo un g w om an h ad
patien tly let them do w hat they w o uld with her
sh e de s ired th at the c h apl ai n m ight be called to
re ad prayers ; an d w he n p rayers w ere e n ded sh e
took her gittar an d p sal m book an d sate down
u po n a ch air w itho ut arm s an d pl ayed an d s u n g
s o m elodio us ly and adm irably th at her m us ick
m as ter w h o w as the n there ad m ired at it
An d
n e ar the s troke o f t w el v e s h e ro s e an d s ate her
s el f do wn i n a gre at ch aire w ith arm s an d pre
s e ntly fetchi n g a s tro n g breathin g or tw o i m m e
,

21 6 H I S TOR Y

OF

di ate ly

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S CO TLA N D

expired an d was so s udde nly cold as was

m uch w o n dered at by the phys ician and surgeon
Sh e died at Waltham i n Es s e x three m iles from
Ch elm sford an d the letter was se nt to Si r Charle s
at h i s ho use i n Warw ick shire ; but he w as so
aficted w ith the death o f h i s d aughter th at h e
cam e n o t till sh e w as buried but w h en he came
b e c aus ed h e r to be take n up an d to be b uri e d
w ith her m other at Edm i nto n as sh e de s ire d i n
her letter Thi s w as abo ut the ye ar 1 6 6 2 or 6 3 ;
an d this relatio n t h e Lord Bis hop o f Glo uces ter
h ad fro m S ir Ch arle s hi m s elf
,

O N DE VI LIS H CH A RM S;

Page 1 40

G uard agai ns t devilish ch arm s for m en and

beas ts w hich are the very ru dim en ts o f w itch
craft an d i n trod uctory to a form al an d m ore ex
i
i
l
n an t w ith the devil
n o t play
t
cove
do
c
!
0
p
u pon the bri n k o f the pit leas t yo w t um ble i n
There are m any sorceries practis ed i n o ur day
again s t w hich I w o uld o n thi s occas io n h ea r m te s
y
t i m o ny an d do there fore s erious ly as k yo u What
i s it yo u m e an by yo ur ob s ervatio n o f tim es an d
Wh at m ean yo u
s eas o n s as l ucky or u n lu cky ?
by your spells vers es w ords s o often repeated
or goi ng back ward ? H o w m ean
said fas tin g
ave su cce ss by c arryi n g abo ut with
w
to
h
o
o
w
y
y
,

21 8 H IS TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAFT IN

CO TLA N D

go wns tied w ith a black sas h abo ut thei r

m iddle s ; an d w ithi n th e n et w ork appe ared a
go wn o f a golde n colour wi th so m ew hat o f a light
s triki n g thro ugh it ; t h eir heads w ere n o t dre st
w ith top k n ots but they h ad w hi te li n n e n caps
o n w ith l ac e o n the m abo ut three n gers breadth
an d over it t hey h ad a black loos e n e t w ork
hood
Se e al so Baxter s Worlds o f S piri ts p
1 7 8 fo r an acco un t o f o n e Major Wilkie
a
S cottis h s oldier an d a scholar o f co ns iderabl e
learn in g ; he w o uld d rin k to o m uch an d had the
s igns o f a heated brain b ut n o faili n g o f h i s
reas on perceivable wh o conden tly af rm ed
that b e con tinually saw good an d evil s pirits
abo ut h i m an d th at he h ad a good ge n i us an d an
en em y
,

N O TE 9

F E M A LE S I N M A S C ULI N E

A T TI RE

P age 1 47

Prynn e i n h i s Hidden Work s o f D arkn ess

m e n tion s a like i n dis cretio n co m m itted d uri n g
the reign o f Kin g Charles the Firs t bu t the
N o le sse
lady w as o f a less n oble extract
w as h i s (the Pope s) pride p uft u p w he n Si r
W i lliam Ham ilton brother to the E arl o f Aber
c orn e an d c o use n t o the M arq ue s se H am il t on
w as s en t am bas sad o ur fro m o ur queen to th at co urt
a
m
a
w
s
f
R
o
e
w
ho
c
rri
ge
like
to
th
a
t
s
a
f
e
o
o
)
(
,

OF LA UDERDA LE

D U KE

Sign ior

ON

WI T CH CRA F T 21 9
.

Georgio s here carryi ng clothe d i n m an s

app arell thro ugh E ngl an d S cotl an d F ran ce an d
Italy h is s weetheart Eugen i us Bo nny a daughter
o f the yeom an o f h i s m aje s tie s w i n e cellar

T H E DU KE O F LAU DERDA LE O N
'

W IT C H C R AFT
Baxrs s

World o f S pi rits havi n g beco m e

the Author i s tem pte d to reprin t as a
s carc e
proper additio n to the foregoin g N otice the S ixth
Ch apter w hich Rich ard e n title s
Instances
s en t m e fro m the D uke o f Lauderd ale ; m ore i n
other Letters o f h i s I gave away an d s om e Bo oks
o f F o rre i gn W o n ders he s e n t m e

S I R,

th at the Sadd ucean or rather at h e

i s t i c al de nyi ng o f s pirits or their app arition s
sho uld so far prev ail ; an d s adder th at the clear
te s tim on ies o f s o m any an cie n t an d m odern
But w h y
au tho rs sho uld n o t co n vi n ce t he m
s ho uld I w o n der i f thos e w h o believe n o t Mo s e s
an d the p rO p h e ts
will n o t believe though o ne
O n e great caus e o f
sho uld ri s e from the de ad ?
the harde ni ng o f these i n dels i s the frequ en t
It

is

sad

220 H I S TORY

WI TCH CRAF T

OF

IN S CO T LA N D

i m pos tures which the Ro m an i sts obtr ude o n th e

w orld i n their exorcis m s an d prete nded m iracle s
An other i s the too great cre d uli ty o f s o m e wh o
m ake everyt hi ng wi tc h c raft w hich they do n o t
u n ders tand ; an d a third m ay be the ign o rance
w h o c o n de m n s i lly
o f s o m e j udge s an d j u ri es
m el an choly peo ple u po n thei r o w n co n fe ss io n
N o n e o f the se three
and pe rh aps sle n der proo fs
c an be de nied b ut it i s i m pe rti n e n t arg ui ng to
co nclude th at be caus e there h ave bee n ch eats i n
the w orld be c aus e there are s o m e t o o cred ulo us
an d s o m e h ave bee n pu t to death fo r w i tch es an d
There
w ere n o t the re fore all m e n ar e d e cei v e d
i s s o m uch w ritte n both at h o m e an d ab ro ad s o
co nvi nci ngly an d by s o un q ue s tio n able auth ors
th at I h ave n o t the v anity to add any th i ng
es peci ally to yo u ; but be caus e yo u h av e des i red
m e to tell yo u the s tory o f th e n u n s at Lo ud un
an d s o m e others I sh all rs t tell yo u o f a re al
possess ion n e ar th e pl ac e I w as b o rn i n ; next o f
di sq ui e t ings by s pirits (bo th o f w h ich I h ad from
u nques tio n able te s ti m o nie s) an d the n I sh al l te ll
c o n c e rn i n g th at
h
at I saw at L o udu n
w
u
o
y
w hich I do n o t do ubt to call a pr e te n d e d pos s es
Abo ut 3 0 ye ars ago
s io n s ure I am a che at
when I w as a boy at s ch ool there w as a poor
w o man ge n erally be lieved t o be real ly po ss ess ed
S he lived n e ar th e t o w n o f D un s i n the Me rs
an d Mr Joh n W ee ms the n m i ni s te r o f D uns (a
.

2 22 H I S TOR Y

hi s

o wn

OF

WI TCH CRAFT IN

Latin ) he to ok
,

of
f

CO TL A N D

h i s h at,

id

an d s a

M i sereatur Deus p ecc a tor i s ;

the voice pre

s en tly o ut o f the w o m an s m ou th sai d
Di c
w
i
s
u
e
r
i
c
n
f
c
d
i
c
a
t
here
po
both
ec
c
c
a
t
r
i
i
s
o
e
;
p
p
the m c am e o ut o f the ho use fully satised took
h ors e i mm ediately an d return ed to m y father s
hous e at Th i rles to an e Castle i n Lauderd ale
w here they related this p as sage
Thi s I do ex
M any m ore p articul ars m ight
ac t ly rem e m ber
be go t i n th at c o un try but th is Latin criticis m
i n a m os t illiterate ign oran t w o m an w here there
w as n o prete n ce to di sposs essi n g i s e vide n ce
e n ough I th i nk
Withi n these 3 0 or 40 years th ere was an
un q ue stio nable poss ess io n i n the U n ited Pro
v i nces ;
a w e n ch th at s poke all language s
of
w hich I h ave he ard m any partic ulars w he n I
But that bein g
lived i n the Lo w Coun trie s
fo rreign I w ill n o t i n sis t o n it
As to ho use s dis quiete d w ith n oi se s I s hall te ll
appe n ed s i n ce I w as a m arried
o
u
o
n
e
th
a
t
h
y
m an and hin t at m ore w hich i f yo u pleas e I c an
get yo u authentically atte sted
Withi n four m ile s o f Ede n bo ro ugh th ere lived
an aged go dly m i n is ter o n e th at w as e stee m ed a
P uritan ; h is so n n o w m in is ter o f the sam e place
The ir house
an d the n ordai n e d h i s as s is tan t
w as extraordi narily troubled w ith n oi s es w hich
th ey an d their fam ily and m any n eighbours

D UKE O F

L A UDERDALE

ON

WI TCH CRA F T 223

.

w
h
r
f
o
o
(

divers w eek s used to go watch w ith

It troubled them
t he m ) did ordi n arily he ar
m o st o n the Saturd ay n ight and the n ight be fore
t heir w eekly lecture day
So m et i m es they w ould
h ear all t h e lock s o f the ho us e o n doors and
c he s ts to y ope n ; yea their c loat h s which w ere
at n ight locked up i n to tr unk s an d che s ts they
found i n the m orn ing all h an gi ng about the w alls
O nce they fou nd their be st lin nen take n o ut th e
table covered w ith it n apkin s as i f they had
been us ed yea an d liquor i n th eir c ups as if
The rum bling
c o m pan y h ad be e n there at m eat
w as extraordinary ; the good o ld m an co m m o nly
c alled h i s fam ily to p rayer w h e n it w as m os t
troublesom e an d im m ediate ly it was con verte d
i n to gentle kn ocki ng like the m ode s t k n ock o f a
nger ; but as s oo n as praye r w as don e they
s ho uld he ar exce ss ive k n ocki n g a i f as be am h ad
bee n heaved by stre ng th o f m an y m e n ag ai ns t
t h e oor
N ever was there voice or app aritio n ;
but o n e thin g w as rem arkable (y o u m ust k n o w
t h at it i s or di nary i n Scotland to h ave a h al f
c ann o n b ullet i n th e c hi m n ey corn er o n w hic h
they break their great coal s ) a m erry m aid i n the
house being ac c ustom ed to the r um blings an d so
h e r fear gone told her fe llo w m aid s ervan t th at i f
t h e devil troubled the m th at ni ght sh e w ould
b rain h i m so sh e took t h e h alf can n on b ullet i nt o
bed ; the n oi s edid n o t fail t o awake her n o r di d
.

224 H IS TORY

WI TCH CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D

OF

fail i n

her d esign but took up th e great

bullet and w ith a t h reatn i ng th rew it as s he
th ough t o n t h e oor b ut th e b ull et was n eve r
m ore se e n ; the m i ni s ter t urn ed h er away fo r
m eddling an d talki ng to it
All th ese partic ulars
I h ave h ad fro m the m o uth o f th e m in is ter n o w
living ; h e i s an hon es t m an o f good n atural
parts well bred both in le arning an d by travel
i n t o foreign parts in h i s youth I was n o t i n th e
c o u n try m y sel f d u ri n g the ti me but I have it
from m an y o ther wi t ne ss es ; and m y father s
s te w ard lived the n i n a ho us e o f m i n e w ithi n a
m ile o f the pl ace an d s e n t h i s serv ants con s tantly
thither ; h i s so n n o w serve s m e wh o k no ws it
I could tell yo u an an cie nter story before m y
ti m e i n the hous e o f o n e B urnet i n the n orth o f
S cotlan d w here s tran ge things w e re s ee n w hich
I c an get suf cien tly attes ted Als o i n the so uth
w est border o f Scotlan d i n An nand ale there i s a
hous e called Po w din e belonging to a gen tlem an
calle d Joh n ston ; t hat hous e hath be e n haun ted
these 50 or 6 0 years At m y com ing to Wor
oe s ter 1 6 51 I s poke w ith the ge ntle m an (bei n g
m yself quartered w ithi n t w o m iles o f t h e ho us e )
he told m e m an y extraordi nary relatio ns c o n
s isti ng i n hi s o wn k n o w ledge ; an d I carried
h i m to m y m as ter to w ho m he m ade th e sam e

relations n oi ses an d apparitions drum s and

trum pets heard be fore the last w ar yea he said
sh e

226 H IS TO R Y

OF

WI TCH CR AFT

IN S C

O TLA N D

bly h aun ted w ith s pirits I do w ell rem e m ber

I din ed w ith old Mr White there o ne day an d at
din ner he told m e m uch o f it ; and th at that
m orn i n g the s pirit called u p the m aid to lay the
beef to the re O f the t wo las t yo u m ay be
satis ed w he n yo u pleas e : an d at t h i s pre s e n t I
am told th at there i s a ho us e at F olie Joh n Park
n o t three m ile s fro m the place
h aunted w ith
s pirits
But I m ust leave room fo r m y Lo ud un n uns
I n the ye ar 1 6 3 7 bei n g at
an d n o t w rite a book
Pari s i n the s pri ng the city was so full o f the
po ssess ion o f a whole c lo ys t er o f n uns an d s o m e
lai c k w e n che s at Loudun book s pri n ted an d
s t range s t orie s told th at fe w do ubted it ; an d I
w h o w as pers waded s uch a thi n g m ight be an d
that it w as n o t i m poss ible the devil co uld possess
a n un as w ell as an other do ubte d it as little as
an y body
So co m ing in to th at co un try I w e n t
a d ay s jou rn ey o ut o f m y way to s ati s fy m y
c uriosity
I n to the chappel I cam e i n the m or n
i ng o f a holy day an d w ith as little prej u dice as
any co uld h ave fo r I believed verily to h ave
s ee n s o m e s tran ge s ights ;
but w he n I h ad s een
exorcis in g e n ough o f three or fo ur o f them i n the
c h appel
an d co uld hear n othi n g but w an ton
w en ches s i n gi n g baudy so n gs i n F re n ch I began
to suspect a fo urbe an d i n great gravity w e nt to
a j e s ui t e an d to ld h i m I h ad co m e a gre at w ay i n
a

D UKE

OF LA UD ERDALE

ON

h ope

WI T CH CRA F T 227
.

to se e s om e s tran ge thin g an d was sorry t o

be di sappoi nted
He com m e nded m y holy
c uri o s i t y an d after he h ad tho ught a w h i le h e
de s ired m e to go to the C astle and fro m the nce
a t s u ch an hou r to the p ari s h ch u rch an d I
I w o n de red at h i s corre s
s ho uld be satis ed
o n de n c e
n t w here he directed
yet
gr
vely
e
a
w
p
me
In the Cas tle I saw little but i n the p ari sh
c h u rch I saw a gre at m an y people gazi ng an d a
w e n ch pretty w e ll taught t o play tricks yet n oth
i ng s o m uch as I h ave s ee n t we n ty t um blers
a n d rope d an cers do
Back I cam e to the n uns
c h appel w here I saw t h e je s uits s till h ard at
w ork at s everal altars an d o n e poor capuchi n
w h o was an object o f pi ty fo r he w as po ss e ss e d
i n deed w ith a m elan choly fan c y th at devil s w ere
r u n n i ng
abo ut hi s head
an d co ns tan tly w as
a pplyi n g re li c ks
I saw the m other s u perior
e xorci sed an d saw the h an d o n w hich they w o uld
h ave m ade us believe the n am es I H S Maria
J osep h w ere w ritte n by m iracle s ; (bu t i t w as
app ar e n t to m e it w as do n e w i th aq uaforti s)
t he n m y p atie n ce w as qui te s pe n t an d I w e n t to
He still
a je s u it an d told h i m m y m i n d freely
m ai n tai n ed a real poss e ss io n an d I de s ired fo r a
tryal to speak a s trange lan guage He asked

What l anguage ?
I told h i m I w o uld n o t
tell ; but neither he n o r all those devils s hould
un ders tan d m e
He as ked If I w o uld be c on
,

228 H IS TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

CO TL A N D

i
erted upo n the tryal
f
o
r
I
h
d
s
covere
I
a
d
d
(
w as n o p apis t ) I told h i m
Th at was no t th e
question n o r could all the devils i n hell pervert
m e ; but the qu e s tio n w as i f th at w as a real
posse ss ion and if any co uld un derstan d m e I
H i s ans w e r
sh all co nfes s it u n der m y h and
w as
Thes e de vi ls have n o t travelled ; an d
thi s I re plye d to w ith a loud laughter no r co uld
I get any m ore sati s fac tion only i n the to w n I
he ard e n o ugh th at it w as a che at in ven ted t o
b urn a c urate (hi s n am e as I take i t w as
C up i) an d the m an h ad bee n really b urn ed t o
as he s as a w itc h but the people said it w as fo r
At m y com i ng t o
h i s co n vers ion from the m
Saum ar n ext day m y co untrym an Dr D un can
Prin cipal o f the College at Saum ar told m e h o w
he h ad m ade a clearer dis covery o f the cheat i n
presen ce o f the Bishop o f Poitiers an d o f all th e
co untry h o w he h ad held fast o ne o f the pre
ten ded posse ss ed n uns arm s i n s pite o f all th e
po wer o f their exorcism s an d challen ged all the
de v ils i n hell to take it o ut o f h i s hand This
w ith m an y m ore circum s tan ces he told m e an d
b e pri n te d the m to the w orld ; but this i s alre ady
too tedious O ne m ore jo urn ey I m ade to see
poss ess ed wom en exorci s ed n ear An tw erp ann o
1 6 49 ; bu t saw o nly s om e great Hollan d w e n che s
hear exorcism p atien tly an d belch m os t abo m i n
So i f those were devil s they w ere w i ndy
ably
v

230 H IS TORY

Be ll

WI TCH CR AFT

OF

IN S

CO TLA N D

the sign o f the C ross Keys i n th e Po ultry

O f th e Author Mr Telfair th e Edi to r h as only
dis covered that i n th e year 1 6 8 7 h e w as chap
lai n to Si r Tho mas Kirkpat rick o f Clo s eburne
Bart w h ose D iary co n tains t his n otice re s pec t
I tem W illiam F ores t an d George
i ng h i m
Jo nsto ne ente red to m y se rvice at W hits un day
las t 1 6 8 7 ; the o n e to carry the boys and be but
ler th e other George Jo nst o ne to serve m y
fered the m s elve s t q m y
so ne ; and they h ave o f
ood
w
ill
f
r
s tryall o f their s er vice
o r h alf a yea
g
I tem Mr Alexander Tailfer entered at th e
s aid term to s erve as c h ai pli n e an d h e i s to h av e

A
s Si r Tho m as w as
earli e an h undre th m erk s
y
o f the Epi s cop al pers uas io n it i s to be s uppos e d
t h at M r Alexan der the n profe ss ed th e sam e creed
but he fo und it co n ve n ie n t like several o f h i s
breth ren to ch an ge h is m in d o n th e ery ordeal
o f the Revol utio n
,

at

i ng s,

Am

i
o n , Ex ressi ons , an d Ac t
i
t
f
p
Sp i ri t, whi c h i nfes ted the Ho use of A n drew

A True Relati on

an

M ac kie, i n Ri ng Cr oft of S to c ki ng, i n the P aro c h of

Herri c k, i n the S tewar ty of Ki rkc udbright, i n S c o tlan d,
-

By Mr

1 6 95

and attes ted

P aroc h
als o

Eph

vi .

Eye
11

an d

Put

be able t o
12

A lexander

Ear

on

Telfai r , M i n i ster

that

by m any o ther P ersons , who were

Wi tnesses

t h e w h o le

not

Go d, th at ye m ay
V e rs
o f t h e De v il

am o ur o f

s tand again st t h e w i les

For we wrestle

ag ai ns t

esh

and

blo od, but

WI T CH CRAFT
agai n st

r
i
n
c
i
p

IN KI RKC UDBRI GH TS HI RE

l
i
a
i
es
t
,
p

Re s ist t h e De vi l,

an d

an d

e
r
o
w
s
,
p

&c

h e w ill e e fro m yo u

am es

23 1

iv

P ri nted by George M osm an , and are to be

a t h is Shop i n th e P arli amen t Class
1 6 96
.

so l

1
n
6
J
9
r
a
u
a
6
,
y
f

o f h i s M aje s ty

Edi nburg h

A t E di n bu rgh the 7 th

Lo rds
Privy Co un cil do
hereby allow George M osm an s tatio n er i n Edi n
b urgh to pri nt ve n d an d s ell a book en ti tule d
A True Relatio n o f an A pp aritio n Expres sio n s
an d A cti n gs o f a S pirit w hich i n fe s ted the h o us e
o f A n dre w Mackie i n Ri n g C roft o f S tocki n g i n
the Paroch o f Berrick i n the S te warty o f Kirk
pe rs ons
an d di s ch arge s any other
c udbri gh t ;
w h ats oever to i m pri n t ve n d or sell the said book
fo r the s pace o f o n e ye ar aft er the date hereof
except the said George M os m an and h i s as s egn eys
u nder the p e n alt i e o f h avi n g the said book s c o n
sc at e to the u se o f the said Georg e Mo sm an an d
o f p ayi ng to h i m the su m o f F o u rty Po u n d s S cots
fo r e ach tran s gre s s io n bes i des the forsaid c o ns
Extracted by m e
c ation to ti es q u o ti es
GIL ELIO T Cls Sc i Con s
TH E

TO

T H E R EADER

I ASSU RE yo u it i s con trare to m y ge n i us (all

circ um stances bei n g con sidere d ) to appear i n
pri n t t o the v ie w o f the w orld yet thes e m otives
have prevailed w ith m e to p ublis h the follo win g
,

23 2 H I S T O R Y

OF

WI T CH CRA FT

IN SC

O TLA N D

tis fyi n g o f s om e reveren d

brethre n
m i n i stry an d s everal w orthy

hri
ti
As 1 T h e co n victio n an d con fu ta
C
s an s )
tion o f th at prevaili ng s pirit o f atheis m an d i n
de li ty i n o ur ti m e de nyi ng both i n opi nio n an d
practice the exi ste n ce o f s pirits either o f God
or Devils ; an d co nseque ntly a Heave n an d Hell
an d i m p uti ng the voice s app aritio n s an d acti n gs
o f good or evi l s pirits t o the m e lan c h o li c k di s
t urban c e or di ste m per o f the brai n s an d fan cie s
o f tho se w h o prete n d to h ear s e e or feel the m
2 To give occas io n to all w h o re ad thi s to ble ss
t h e Lor d w h o h ath s e n t a s tro n ger (eve n Chri s t
Jesus ) th an the s tro ng m an to bi nd h i m and spoil
h i m o f h i s good s an d to de s troy the w orks o f the
Devil an d even by thes e thi ngs w hereby Satan
thi n k s to prop agate h i s ki ngdom o f darkn e ss t o
dis cover w eake n an d brin g it do w n 3 To i n
d uce all pers on s p artic ularly m asters o f fam ilie s
to private an d fam ily prayer les t the n eglect o f
it provoke th e Lord n o t o n ly to po ur o ut h i s
wrath u po n the m other w i se bu t to let Satan
loo se to h au n t their pers on s an d fam ilies w i th
au dible voice s app arition s an d h u rt to their per
4 Th at m i n i sters an d co n gre
s o n s an d goo ds
at i o n s w here the go spel i s i n an y m e as ure i n
g
p urit y and po w er m ay be u pon their guard to
w re s tle accordi n g to the w ord o f God agai n s t
these prin cip ali t ie s an d po w ers an d spiritual
Re l atio n

be
ide
s
(
i n the

th e

sa

234 H IS TOR Y

OF

m is

as

i nform ed

WI TCH CRAFT

I N SC

O TLA N D

I do nd by t he re ports th at
c o m e to m y o wn e ars o f t hat matte r
the re fore
t h at satisfac tio n m ay be give n and s uch m is takes
m ay be c ure d or preve n te d I th e m i ni ster o f th e
said paroch
re s e n t s eve ral ti m e s an d
h
o
w
p
w
a
s
(
was wit ne ss to m any o f i ts acti ngs an d h ave
h eard an account o f the w hol e o f its m ethods
and acti ngs fro m the pers on s prese n t t o w ard s
w hom and be fore w ho m i t did ac t) h ave given
th e e ns u i ng and s hort ac c ou nt o f t h e wh ole m at
t e r w hich I c an atte s t to be t h e very truth as to
th at affair ; an d be fore I c o m e to th e Rel atio n
itself I pre m ise thes e t hi ngs w ith respec t to w h at
m ight h ave bee n the occas ion an d rise o f that
s pirit s appe ari n g an d acti n g
1 The said A nd re w Mackie be i ng a m eas o n
to h i s em ploy m e nt ti s give n o ut that whe n h e
t oo k the m eas o n w ord he de v o ut e d h i s rs t child
t o the D evil ; but I am certai nly i nform ed he
n e ver to ok the sam e an d k n o ws n o t w hat th at
w ord i s
He i s outw ardly m oral ; there i s n oth
i ng k n o w n to h i s life an d con versatio n but hon es t
c ivil and h arm less beyo n d m any o f h i s n eigh
bours doth delight i n the com pany o f the best ;
an d w he n he w as u n der the trouble o f th at evil
s pi rit di d pray t o the great s ati sfac tio n o f m an y
As fo r h i s w i fe and childre n n on e h ave i m pu te d
any thi n g to the m as the ri s e o f it no r i s there
any g roun d fo r o ught I kn o w fo r any to do so
-

WI T CH CRA F T

KI RKC UDBRI GH TS H I RE

IN

23 5

Whereas i ts give n o ut that a w om an su b

m a ld fam d did le ave s om e c lo ath s i n that ho us e
i n the custody o f the said An dre w M ackie an d
died be fore they w ere gi v e n up to her an d he o r
h i s w i fe s hould h ave ke e p e d s o m e o f the m back
fro m her frie n d s
I did s eri ously pos e both h i m
an d h i s w i fe upo n the m at t er ; they decl ared
they kn ew n o t wh at thin gs w ere left bein g
bou n d up i n a sack but di d deliver e ntirely t o
her fre i n ds all they received from the w om an
w hich I am ap t to believe
Mac kn augh t w h o s o m e
3 Where as o n e
t im e s be fore poss ess ed th at hou s e did n o t th riv e
i n h is o w n pers on or goods
It seem s he h ad
s e n t h i s s o n to a w itch w i fe w h o l i ved the n at
the R o utin g bridge i n the p aroch o f Iron gray
to e n qu ire w hat m i ght be the caus e o f the decay
o f h i s pers o n an d goods
The youth m eeti ng
w ith s o m e fo rre i gn s o uldiers w e n t abroad to
F lan ders an d did n o t return w ith an an s w er
S o m e years after t here was o n e Joh n R edick i n
t hi s p aroch w h o havi n g h ad occas io n to go
abroad m e t w ith the s aid youn g M ac kn au h t i n
g
F lan de r an d they k n ow in g o ther Mac kn augh t
e n q uired aft er h i s father an d other frien ds ; and
n din g t h e said Joh n Re dick w as to go hom e
d esired h i m t o go to h i s father or wh o ever
d w elt i n the Rin g croft an d des ire them t o rais e
t h e door th re shold and s earch till they fo un d a
2

'

'

23 6 H IS TOR Y

WI T C H CRA FT

OF

I N SC

O TL A N D

tooth an d b urn it fo r n on e w h o d w elt i n that

ho use w ould thrive till th at was do n e The said
Joh n Re dick com ing ho m e an d nding the old
m an Mac k naugh t dead an d h i s w i fe o u t o f th at
place did n ever m e ntion the m atter n o r further
m i n d it till this trouble w as i n An dre w M ackie s
fam ily the n he spoke o f it an d told the m atter
to m y self Betw ixt Mac knaugh t s death an d
An dre w M ackie s poss ess io n o f thi s hous e there
w as o n e Tho m as Telfair w h o p o sse st it s o m e
w
f
w
e
a
r
s
w
h
a
t
a
he
he
a
rd
the
report
o
h
a
t
the
;
y
y
witch w i fe h ad said to Mac kn aug h t s so n I c an
n o t tell ; bu t b e s earched the door thre shold an d
fou n d s o m ethi n g like a tooth ; did co m pare it
w ith the tooth o f m an horse n olt an d sh eep (as
he said to m e ) but co uld n o t s ay w hich it did
rese m ble o nly it did re se m ble a to oth He did
c as t it i n the re w here it bur n t l i ke a c an dle or
s o m uch tallo w ; yet he n ever k ne w an
u
tro
ble
y
abo u t th at ho us e by n ight or by day be fore o r
a fter
d uri n g h i s poss ess io n Thes e thi ngs pre
m i s e d bei n g s us pecte d to h ave bee n the occas io n
o f the tro u ble an d there bei n g n o m ore k n o w n as
to the m th an w h at i s n o w declared I do thin k the
m atte r s till u nk n o w n w h at m ay h ave give n an
a ri s e thereto
But leavi ng thi s I s ubjoi n the
m atter as follo ws
In the m on eth o f F ebru ary 1 6 9 5 the said
A ndre w M ac kie h ad s o m e yo un g beas ts w hich
,

2 3 8 H I S TORY

WI TCH CRAFT

OF

IN S CO TL A N D

did chide the res t say

i ng w hy are yo u fear d ? let us sai n e (or bles s)
o ur s elves an d the n th e re i s n o gro un d to fe ar t
He pe rceived the blanke t to be h i s and sai n i n g
n
m
f
r
a
n
n
u
or
bl
e
ss
i
g
hi
s
el
a
d
p
lled
the
bl
ket
n
a
(
)
Be w hat it w ill it hath n othi ng
fro m it sayi ng
an d the n they fo un d it
to do w ith m y bl anket
to be a fo ur footed stool set upo n the e nd and
the blanket cast over it
Upon the Sabbath bein g th e 1 1 th o f March
t h e crook and pot clip s w ere take n aw ay and
w ere awan t in g fo ur d ays an d w ere fo und at las t
o n a lo aft w here they h ad bee n s o ught s everal
tim e s before This i s atte sted by Charle s Mackle
lan e o f Colline and Joh n Cairns i n Hardh ills It
w as obs erved that the s to n es w hich hit any per
s o n h ad n o t h alf their natural w eight ; an d the
t hr o w in g w as m ore freq uen t o n the S abbath than
at other ti m es ; an d e s pecially i n tim e o f prayer
above al l other ti m es it w as b us ies t the n thro w
i ng m o st at the pers o n prayi n g The said A ndre w
Mackie told the m atter to m e upon Sabbath after
Upo n the T ue sday thereafter I w e n t to
s erm o n
th e ho us e did s tay a co nsiderable ti m e w ith
t h em an d prayed t wice and there w as n o
trouble Then I cam e o ut w ith a res ol utio n
t o leave the ho us e an d as I was s tan din g s pe ak
i n g to s om e m e n at the barn e nd I saw t wo
little sto nes drop do wn o n the croft at a little
n in e

or

years

te n

o f a e,
g

WI TCH CRA F T

KI RKC UDBRI GH TS H I RE

IN

23 9

dis tan ce fro m m e ; and the n

c am e cryi n g o ut o f the ho us e

i m m ediately som e
that it was becom e
w here u pon I w e n t i n to t h e
as ill as ever w ithi n
ho use agai n and as I w as at prayer it threw
but they did n o h urt
s everal s to n e s at m e
bei ng very sm all ; and after t here was n o m ore
tro uble till the 1 8 th day o f March an d then i t
began as be fore and thre w m ore freq uen tly
greater s to n es w hos e s trokes w ere s orer w he re
they hit ; and th us it co nti nued to the 2l st
T he n I w e n t to the hous e and s tayed a great
part o f the n ight but was greatly troubled ;
s to n es an d s eve ral other thi n gs were thro wn at
m e ; I w as s truck se v eral ti m es o n the s ide s and
f so th at
sho ulders very s h arply w ith a gre at s taf
those w h o w ere pre se n t heard th e n ois e o f the
That n ight it thre w o ff the bed s ide
s troke s
an d rappe d u po n the c h i s ts and board s as o n e
This i s attes te d by C harles
c a lli n g fo r access
Mac klelan e o f Colli ne William Mac km inn and
John Tait i n Torr That n igh t as I was on ce at
prayer lean i ng o n a bed s ide I felt som ethin g
pressi ng u p m y arm e ; I cas ti ng m y eye s thither
perceived a little white han d and arm fro m th e
It is to
e l bo w dow n but pres en tly it evan i shed
be ob served th at, n ot w ith s tandi ng o f all that
w as fel t an d heard from the rs t to the las t o f
this m atter there was n ever any thing s een ex
c ept th at h an d I saw : an d a frie n d o f th e said
,

240 H IS TOR Y

OF

A ndre w M ackie s

WI TCH CRA F T I N S CO TLA N D

id he saw as it w e re a young
m an red faced w ith yello w h air looki n g i n at
the wi ndo w ; an d other t w o or three pers o ns
w ith the said A n dre w h i s childre n saw at s eve
ral ti m e s as it w ere a yo u ng boy abo ut the age
o f fo urtee n years w ith gray cloth s an d a bo n n e t
o n h i s head but pre s e n tly di s appe ared ; as al s o
w h at the three childre n saw s itti ng by the re
s ide
Upon the 22d the tro uble s till in cre as ed both
again s t the fam ily an d agai n s t the n eighbou rs
w h o cam e to vis ite them by thro w i ng s to n e s
an d beati n g the m w ith s taves ; s o th at s o m e w ere
forced to le ave the ho us e be fore their i n cli natio n
This i s atte ste d by Charles M ac kle lan e o f Colli ne
S om e it w ould h ave
an d An dre w T ait i n Torr
m e t as they cam e to the h o us e an d s ton ed w ith
s to n es abou t the y ard s an d i n like m ann er s ton ed
as they w e n t from the house ; o f w hom Tho m as
Telfair i n Stockin g was o ne It m ade a little
w o un d o n the said An dre w M ackie s bro w ; di d
thr us t several ti m es at h i s shoulder he n ot re
gardin g ; at last it gripped h i m so by the hair
th at he thought s om ethin g like n ail s o f ngers
It drag ged s everals u p an d
s cratched h i s ski n
do w n the house by the c lo ath s This is atteste d
by An dre w Tait It gripped o n e Joh n Kei ge
m iller i n Au c hi n c ai rn so by th e s ide th at he
in treated h i s n eighbo urs to help and c ryed it

sa

24 2 H IS TOR Y

OF

WI TCH CRAF T

IN S

CO TLA N D

i lly by thro wi ng great ston es s o m e o f

It w o unded
the m abo ut h alf an s to n e w eight
Mr An dre w E wart t w ice i n the head to the
e ffusion o f h is blood ; it p ulled o ff h is w igg i n
tim e o f prayer an d w hen he w a
s holdin g o u t h i s
napki n bet w ixt h i s h and s it cas t a s to n e i n th e
It
napki n and there w ith thre w it fro m hi m
gave Mr John Murdo s e ve ral s ore stroke s yet
the w oun ds an d b ruis es received did soon cure
There w ere n o n e i n the ho use that n igh t e scaped
from so m e o f i ts fury an d cru elty
That n ight it
threw a ri e peet am o ngs t the people ; but did
n o h urt it on ly di s turbed the m i n ti m e o f p rayer
An d als o i n the d aw n i ng as they ros e from
prayer the s ton es po ured do wn o n all wh o w ere
i n the ho us e to their hu rt
Thi s i s attested by
Mr An dre w E wart Mr Joh n M urdo C h arles
Mac klelan e an d Joh n Tait
Upon the 5th o f Aprile it set so m e thatch
At
s traw i n re w hich w as i n the b arn e ye ard
n ight the hous e bei n g very thron g w ith n eigh
ho urs the s to ne s w ere s till thro w n do w n am on g
them As the said An dre w Mackie h is wife w en t
to b ri n g i n s om e peets fo r the re w he n sh e cam e
to the door sh e fou n d a broad s to ne to sh ake un der
her foot which sh e n e v er kn ew to be loos e before ;
s h e res olved w ith he rs el f to s ee w h at w as be n eath
i t i n the m orn i n g thereafter
Upon the 6 th o f Aprile whe n the house was
e sp ec a

WI TCH CRAF T

IN

KI R KC UD BRI GH TS H I RE

243

iet sh e w e n t to the ston e an d there fo un d

s eve n s m all bo n e s w ith blood an d s om e esh all
c los ed i n a piece o f old s a ddled p aper ; the blood
w as fre s h an d bright The s ight w hereof tro ubl e d
her and bei ng affrai d l aid all down agai n and
ran to C olli n e h i s ho us e bei n g an qu ar ter o f an
m ile di s tan t ; but i n th at ti m e it w as w ors e th an
e ver it w as be fore by thro w i n g s to n e s and re
b alls i n an d abo ut the house ; but the re as it
lighted did evan is h In that tim e i t thre w an
hot sto n e in to the bed betw ixt the children
which b urn t thro ugh the bed c lo ath s ; an d after
it w as take n o ut by the m an s eldest so n an d
h ad lye n o n the oor m ore n or an ho ur and an
h alf the said Charles Mac klelan e o f C olline could
This i s atte ste d
n o t hold it i n h i s h an d fo r he at
be Charles M ac kle lan e It thrust an s taffth orro w
the w all o f the ho use above the childre n i n the
bed s hook it over them an d groaned When
e nt to prayer be
C olli ne cam e to the ho us e he w
fore h e offered to lift the bo nes
A ll the w hile
he w as at prayer it w as m ost cruel ; but as s oon
Thi
s
as he took up the bon e s the trou ble ceas ed
(
i s atte s ted be Ch arle s M ac kle lan e ) He s e n t them
pre sen tly to m e ; u pon sight whereof I w en t i m
While I w as at prayer
m edi ate ly to the hous e
i t thre w gre at s to n e s which hitt m e but they did
n o t h urt ; the n there w as n o m ore trou bl e th at
night

u
q

244 H IS TOR Y

The 7th

OF

WI TCH CRAFT

IN S

CO TLA N D

t h e Sabbat h ,

A pri le being

it began
agai n and thre w s t o n es an d w oun ded Willi am
Mac m i n n a black sm ith o n t h e h ead ; it cas t a
plo ugh sock at h i m and al so an tro ugh s to ne
up w ards o f three s t o n e w e ight which di d fall
upo n h i s back yet h e w as n o t h ur t thereby
At te s ted by Wi lliam Mac m i nn
It se t the ho use
twice i n re yet there was n o h urt don e i n res
peot so m e n ei gh bo ures were i n the house w h o
helped to qu en ch it A t nigh t i n the t w iligh t
as Joh n Mackie the said An dre w Mackie h is
eldest s o n was co m i ng ho m e n e ar to the ho use
there w as an extraordi n ary light fell about h i m
and w en t be fore h i m to the ho us e w ith a s w i ft
m otio n
Th at n ight it c o n tai nue d after i ts
w o nted m an n er
Aprile 8 th In the m orning as An dre w Mackie
w e nt do wn the closs he foun d a letter both w rit
It w as directe d o n
te n an d s ealed w ith blood
the b ack th us : 3 years t he s hall hs ue to rep eat s net i t
mu an d w ithin w as w ritten : W e be to the Qto tllanb
,

e
l
g pent

ant

tak fram i ng fo r t he be er

hart agains t the i

e
t
g

e
t
g

tro nblt

am s ent

s hallt

fo r

of

hanen

warni ng

at

s
t
i
g !;

to t he to i es to

t hi s man be fo r tnenty bags

to m s hall

all

a
s

rp ent

the m i dle
o f the day the pers on s alive w h o lived i n th at
house si nce it w as b uilt bei ng abo ut tw e n ty
eight years w ere c o n v ei n ed by appoi n tm e n t o f
the civil m agi strate before Collin e m yself an d
eepnent s p ent s ent lanh o r els

In

246 H IS TOR Y O F

WI TC H CRA FT

IN S

CO TLA N D

tro uble fro m th at place ;

but th e barn e be i ng j o yn ed to the e nd o f the
house it brake do wn the barn e door and m id
wall an d t hre w s to n es up the h ouse but did n o
gre at h urt It gripped an d h an dled the legs o f
s om e as w ith a m an s h an d ; it hoi s ed up the
feet o f others w hile s tan di ng o n the gro und ; th us
it did to William Len n ox o f Mill ho use m y self
In thi s m ann er it co n ti n ued till t e n
and others
a clock at n ight ; but afte r t h at there was n o
m ore trouble w hile w e w ere abo ut the ho use
This i s atte sted by Mrs Jam es Mo n teith Joh n
M urdo S am uel S pal din g Mr Falcon er William
Le nnox an d Joh n Tait The 1 1 th 1 2th 1 3th i t
w as w ors e th an o ver it w as before for n o t any
w h o cam e i n to the ho us e did es cape heavy
There was o n e An dre w Tait i n Torr as
s tro c ks
he was co m i n g to stay w ith the fam ilie all n ight
by the way h is dog catched a th ulm ard when h e
cam e i n b e cas t it by i n the hous e ; there after
there w ere other three yo ung m en wh o cam e i n
al s o an d w h e n they w ere all at prayer the evil
s pirit be at the m w ith the de ad t h ulm ard an d
thre w it before the m The th ree w h o k n ew i t
n o t to be i n the ho us e w ere gre atly ari gh te d
e specially o ne Sam uel Thom son a ch apm an
whom it als o gripped by the s ide an d b ack an d
thrus t as i f it h ad been an h an d be neath h is
an d i n to h i s pockets ;
he was so af
c lo ath s
so

th ere

w as

no

m ore

WI T CH CRA F T

IN

KI RKC UDBRI GH TSH I RE

247

frighted

th at he took s ickn ess i m m ediately

Thi s i s atte s ted by An drew Tait
The l i th bein g th e S abbath i t set som e straw
i n re th at w as i n the b arn yeard an d thre w
s to n e s w hile t en a clock at n ight ; it thre w an
dike s pade at th e s aid A n dre w Mackie w ith the
m o uth to ward h i m ; b ut he received n o h urt
Wh ile an m eal s ive w as toss ed up an d dow n th e
ho us e the said An dre w M ackie takes hold o f it
c ulty gets the grip
an d as it w ere w ith di f
ke e pe d at l as t all w ithi n the ri m i s t orn o ut
Thereafter it threw an h an d ful o f the s ive rolled
togeth er at Thom as Robert so n i n Ai rds wh o w as
w it n e ss to thi s ; yet i n all thir acti n gs t here
was n ever any thi ng s ee n but wh at I m e n tion ed
before
Upon the 1 5th A prile William An derson a
drover an d Jam e s Paterson h i s so n i a law cam e
to the house w ith Colli n e i n the eveni n g C ol
li n e goi ng hom e a w hile w i t h i n n ight the said
An dre w Mackie s en t h i s s on es to con voy h i m ;
as they retu rn ed they w ere cru elly sto n ed an d
the s to n e s rolled am o n gst their legs like to break
the m Shortly after they cam e i n it w o un ded
William A n derson o n the head to the great e ffu
I n ti m e o f prayer it w h i sled
s ion o f h i s bloo d
ro
Thi
n ed and c rye d Whi s h t w h i s ht
s i s at
a
g
t e s te d by Joh n Cairn e s
The l 6th it conti nued w histing groaning
.

248 HIS TO R Y O F WI TCHCRAF T IN S CO TL AN D

wh is li ng

and

th ro wi ng sto nes i n t i m e o f p ray e r

i t c ryed Bo be and Kick c uck and s hoke m e n
bac k and fo re ward and hois ed the m up as i f i t
wo uld li ft t he m 0 8 th e ir k n ees
This i s atte ste d
by Andre w Tait
Th e wh o le fa mily we nt fro m th e h o use an d
le ft ve h o nes t ne igh bo urs to wai t o n t h e s am e
all n igh t ; but t h e re was n o h u rt do n e t o th e m
no r t h e fam ily wh e re th e y w e re n o r to th os e
ne igh bo urs wh o
stay e d i n th e s aid An d re w
Mac ki e h is h o us e ; o nly th e c attle w e re c as t o v er
o t her to t he h azard o f k illi ng t h e m as th ey w ere
bo und t o th e s tak es an d s o m e o f the m w ere
loosed T h is i s at tes ted by Joh n Cai rnes
U po n th e 1 8 th th ey re t urned to th e ir house
agai n and th e re was n o h urt do n e t o t h e m nor
th ei r c at tle th at nigh t exc e pt i n a li t tl e h o use
wh e re th e re we r som e sh ee p ; it c o u pl ed t h em
toge th er i n pai res by t he ne k w i th s traw ro pes
ma de o f an bo tt le o f s traw w hic h i t to o k o ff an
,

lo ft i n t

ble, and c arryed

he s ta

wh ic h i s th ree

i t m ade m o re

to t h e

fo ur pair o f butt s dis tan t an d

ro pes th an i t needed fo r bi n di n g
or

th e sh ee p, wh ic h i t left besi de t he
sh ee p

h o use

s h ee p - h o us e ,

T h i s is

at te s te d

i n th e

s traw

by An d re w

Tait

U po n th e 1 9 th i t red t he s t raw i n t h e barn ;

but Andre w Mac kie p ut i t o ut (b e in g t h e re
th resh i ng)
s taves

w i th o ut

do i ng

any

h urt

th orro w th e wall at hi m , but di d

It
no

s h ut

h urt

250 H IS TO R Y O F WI TC H CRA F T IN S CO T LAN D

Who gave the a commission ?

To whom i t
God gave m e a commiss ion ; and I
ans w e red
am s en t to w arn the lan d to re pe n t ; fo r a j udge
m e nt i s to c ome i f the lan d do n o t quickly
repen t an d com man ded him to reveal it u pon h i s
perri ll an d i f the land did n o t repen t it sai d i t
w o uld go to i ts father an d get a commiss io n to
re turn w ith an h un dred w ors e th an i ts el f an d
w ould tro uble every p articular family i n t h e
lan d
Andr e w Mackie said to thos e w h o w ere
w ith him
If I sho uld tell this I w o uld n o t be
be lieved
Then it said F etch betters ; fetc h
the mi nis ter o f the paroch and t w o hon es t m en
u po n T u esd ay s ni ght and I s h all declare before
them w hat I h ave to say
The n it said Prais e
me an d I will w histle to yo u ; w orship me an d I
w ill tro uble yo u n o more
Then An dre w M ackie
The Lord wh o delivered th e three childre n
sai d
o ut o f th e ery furn ace d e liver me an d m i n e t hi s
n ight from the temptatio ns o f S atan
Then it
re lye d
Y
o
u
a
might
w
ell
h
ve
id
h
dr
h
a
s
s
a
S
a
a
p
M es h ah an d Abedn ego
In the mean time
w hile An dre w Mackie was s peaki n g there w as
o n e Jame s T e lfair i n B ut t le w h o w as addi n g a
Yo u are b as ely bred
w ord to w hom it s aid
meddling i n other m e n s dis cou rs e w herein yo u
It like w i se said Remov e
are n o t co n cern ed
your goods fo r I w ill burn the ho us e
He an
The Lord stop Satan s fury an d hi nder
sw ered
,

WI T C H CRA F T IN KI RKC UD BRI GH TS H I RE 251

.

him o f h is de signs
The n it said I w ill do i t
Al l thi s i s atte s ted by
or yo u sh all guide we ll
Joh n Tait i n Torr an d several others w h o cann o t
s ub s cribe
U po n the 27 t h it se t the hous e s even tim es i n
The 28 th bein g the Sabbath from s un
re
ri sing to s un settin g it still se t the hous e i n re ;
as it w as q ue n ched i n o n e p art i n stan tly i t w as
red i n an other ; an d i n the eve n i ng w h e n i t
could n o t ge t i ts d e signs fullled i n b urn i ng the
ho use it p ulled do w n the e n d o f the house all
the sto n e w ork thereof so th at they could n o t
abide i n it any lo n ger but w e n t an d kin dled th ei r
re i n the s table
U po n the Sabbath n ight it p ulled o n e o f the
children o ut o f the bed grippi ng him as h e
tho ught by the craig an d sho ulders ; an d took up
the block o f a tree as great as a plo ugh head an d
held it above the childre n sayin g If I h ad a
commi ss ion I w o uld brain th e m ; th us it ex
presse d its elf i n the hearin g o f all w h o w ere i n
the hous e Atte ste d by William M ac km i n n an d
Joh n C o rs by
The 29 th b e in g M und ay it con ti n ued s etting
re i n the ho us e
The said Andr ew Macki e nd
i ng the ho us e s o freq ue n tly s e t i n re an d bei n g
w e ary quen chi n g it he w e n t an d p ut o ut all the
re th at w as abou t the ho use an d po u red w ater
u po n the he arth ; ye t after it re d the ho use
,

252 HI S T O R Y O F WI T C H CRA F T I N S CO TLAN D

everal times w he n there w as n o re w ithin an

quarter o f an mile o f the ho use Th is i s atte sted
by C harl e s Mac kle lan e and Joh n Cairn es In
the m idest o f the day as An dre w Mackie was
thre shi ng i n the barne i t whi s pere d i n the w all
an d the n c rye d
An dre w Andre w but he gave
n o an s w er t o it
The n w ith an auste r an gry
voice as it w ere it said Speak ; yet h e gave n o
an s w er
Then it said Be n o t tro ubled yo u
s h all h ave n o more tro uble except s ome c as ti ng
o f s to n e s u po n the T w es da
u

to
l
ll
the
pro
f
y
m i sc
Take away yo u r straw
I
an d s aid
w e n t to the ho us e abo ut ele ve n a clock ; it
I
red the hous e o n ce after I w e n t there
s taye d all n ight t ill bet w ixt thre e an d fo ur i n
the T w esday s morn i n g dure i ng w hich ti m e there
w as n o tro uble abo u t the ho use e xc e pt t w o little
s to n e s dropped do w n at t h e re s id e as w e w ere
A li ttle after
s itti n g do w n at o ur rst e n try
I w e n t aw ay it be gan to thro w s to n e s as form e rly
T hi s i s atte s ted by C h arle s Mac kle lan e an d John
Tait
U po n T ue s day s n ight bei n g t h e 3 0th o f April
C h arle s Mac kle lan e o f C olli n e w it h s e veral
As h e w as at
n eighbo urs w ere i n the b arn e
pray e r he ob ser ved a bl ack thi ng i n the corn er o f
the barn e an d it did i n cre as e as i f it w ould ll
the whole house He co uld n o t dis ce r n it to
h ave any form but as i f it h ad bee n a black
s

254 H I S T O R Y O F WI TCH CRA F T I N SCO TLA N D

WILLIAM FALCO N ER Mi ni s ter at Ke lto u n

C HAR LES MAc ELAN E o f Colli n e
WI LLIAM LENNo x o f Millho use
'
AN DREW TAI r i n Torr
'
JO H N T AI r i n Torr
JO HN CAI RN S i n Hardh i lls
WILLIAM MACKMIN N
JO HN CO RSBY
T HO M AS MAc xM INN
AN DREW PALI N E &c
Mr

EDITO RIAL

APPENDI!

S HO RT LI ST O F BO O KS O N SCOTTISH

AN D SU PERSTITI O N
N e ws

fro m

Fian,

in

W ITC HCRAFT

Sc o tland, dec lari ng th e dam nable Li fe of Doc t o r

n o table So rc e re r , wh o w as burn ed at E di nbro u h
g

January last
Lo n do n

W oo dc ut

1 59 1

W W righ t

Small 4to , Blac k Let te r,

Front

Re p ri nte d fo r t h e Ro xburgh Club, 18 1 6

Daem on o logie i n fo rm s
Boo kes

of a

Dialogue, diui ded into t hree

Edi n

Prin te d by R

W aldegrave

Small 4to

1 59 7

Dae m o no lo gi e in fo rm e o f a Di alo gue , wri tte n by t h e hi gh and

m i gh t y Pri n c e Jam e s , by t h e Grac e o f Go d King of Eng
land, Sc o t lan d, Fran c e and Ire lan d, De fe nder of t h e
F ai th , 85c

Lo ndo n
1 603

By Arn o ld Hateld fo r Ro bert

Small 4to

W ald graue
-

T ri al , C on fessi ons and Exe c ut i o n of Iso bel In c h , John Ste wart,

M argare t Barc lay

Irvi ne, Anno 1 6 18

an d

Iso bel Crawfo rd Fo r

W itc h c raft

1 6 24- 1 6 43

Fro m

at

A Gut hri e, Pri nte r, Ardr o ssan, N D

T rials fo r

W i tc hc raft

8vo

Sorc e ry, an d Supersti ti on i n O rkney,

Abbo tsford Club Misc ellany, and

256 H IS TO R Y O F WI T CH CRA F T IN S CO TLAN D

W i t c h es

of

T ri al

i n Sh et land,

A D
.

Fro m Hibbert

1 644

Desc ri pt i o n of Sh etland, 1 822, an d i ss ued sep arate ly , 4t o

W i tc h es

Confes s io n s and Trials o f t h e

Reli q ui e Ant i q ua Sc ot ic m

of

Forfar, 1 66 1 , i n

Edi n burgh

T G St e ven son

W o rld Di sc o v ere d

Satan s In vi si ble

o f M o dern re lat i o ns ,
c ase

an d

To

of

all

wh i c h i s
and

adde d,

h i s Si s t er

R e lat i o n s

two

Pri nt ed by Jo hn Re i d

a v er

1 6 85

y po pular bo o k

w e re i ss ue d, t h e lat est
s

W it h

of
~

Th i s w as

Satan

Th at M arvello u s H is to ry

Edi n b urgh

W i t nes se s an d un do ubte d

By Ge o rg e Si n c lai r, lat e Pro

Edin burgh
o f P h i lo s o ph y in t h e C o lle dg e o f Glas go w

App ari t i o ns at
fess o r

t h e Saddu

M aj o r W e i r

of

A C h o i c e Co llec t i o n

a
n
n
l
i
s
a
v
i
n
e
v
i
d
e
t
t
ro
y g
p
g

R e c o rds , Att es tat i o n s o f F am o us

.

or

t h i s p re sen t Age t h at t h e re are

W i tc h e s an d Ap p ari t i o ns , ro m Aut h en ti c k

At h e i s t s

De vils , Sp i ri t s ,
V e ri t y

1848

In vi s i ble

l 2m o

i n Sc o t lan d, m an y

an d

e di t i o ns

be st bei ng

W o rld Di s c o v ere d

By Geo rge Sin c lair,

P ro fe sso r o f Ph i los o p hy an d M ath emat i c s i n t h e Uni v ersit y

o f Glas g o w, 1 6 54 1 69 6
-

Re p ri nte d

fro m

Edi nbu rg h i n 1 6 8 5

an d

N o ti c e

t h e O ri gi n al

A c c o m p an i e d wi t h

Sup p lem e n t , &c

Ste vens o n , 1 8 7 1

Large

Se c ret C o m m o n we alt h ,

t hi s Age

su pp r e s s

an d

to

a
r
e
p p ,

F ro n t

A T r eat i se di sp layei ng t h e Ch i efe

i n U s e am o n g di vers e o f t h e P e o p le

t o t h at N at i o n

Essay t o

Th o m as G eo rge

rg h

or

c o urs e d o f by an y o f o ur

an

bu

an d s m all

C uri o si t i es as th e y are
o f Sc o tlan d t o t hi s Day
i
r
l
a
c
u
e
p

E di n

Publi sh e d at
a Bi bli o grap h i c al

E di t i o n

Si

ng ulari t i e s

bj e c t

su

W ri tt e rs

t h e i m p u de nt

s at i s e

t h e De si re

fo r t h e m o st

n ot

an d

h e ret o fo re di s

e
e
r
d
v
n
u
e
t
n
t
o
y

an d g ro wi n

in

A
t
h
e
i
m
e
o
f
s
g

o f so m e c h o i c e

By M r Ro bert Kirk , M ini st er at Abe rfo ill, 1 6 9 1

.

Part

Fri ends

258 H I S TO R Y OF WI T CH CRA F T I N SC O TLA N D

S adduc ism us D ebe llatus ; O r, A T rue N arrat iv e o f t h e So rc e ri e s

and W i t c h c raft s E x e r c i se d By t h e De v il an d h i s I n st ru

m ents

up o n

Sh aw

of

W es t

of

M rs C h ri st i an Sh aw, Daugh t e r o f M r
.

Bargarran , in t h e C o un t y

fro m

Sc o tlan d,

and

Pro v d

W i t c h es

by

R e nfre w, i n t h e

Aug

C
1
r
1
696
t
o
A
6
o
9
7
,
,
,
,
p
Su e rin gs , as i t was E xhi i t e d
.

tai ning t h e Jo u rn al o f h er

of

t h e V o lun tary C o n

fessi o n

th e

o f so m e o f

U n e x c e p t i o nable Ev i de n c e

and o t h e r

Jo h n

be fo re

the

Co m m i ss i o n e rs Ap p o i n t e d by t h e P ri v y C o un c il o f Sc o t lan d
t o e n q ui re i n t o t h e sam e
Co lle c te d fro m t h e R e c o rds
.

Lo ndo n
i n C o rnhi ll,

n ear

of

St oc ks M ar k e t , 1 6 98

t h e S ue ri n gs

an d

W e st

C o lle c t e d

fro m

Pre fac e an d Po st sc ri p t

Re li e f

m o st M at e ri al

or

th e Gallo w Gr ee n
-

Pai sley P
:

l 2m o

w h o w ere

of

Yo ung Gi rl

t h e i r In s t rum e n t s

R e e c t i o n s in wh at i s

i n t h e H i s t o ry

or

c o n de m n e d an d

T ri al o f

Bu rn t in

So ld by Ale x an der

ri n t e d an d

W ei r

1 775

re w s h i re
.

A H i st o ry

w h o w e re

P ublish e d

Pai s le y

bu

by t h e

y
Pai sley Prin t e d by J

tor

of a

Bi ble

Pai sle y

F ro m A uthenti c D o c ume nts

R en

an d

the

A ut h e n t i c T es t i m o n i e s , w i t h

e i t h er

C u r i o us ,

W i tc h es

t h e Se v e n

an d

c o n t ai n i ng

at

Sm all 4 t o

'

A Ball,

C ro ss Ke y s

an d at

St ran ge ly M o le s t e d by Evi l Sp i ri t s
in t h e

an d

N e wm an

Grassh o p p e r,

A N arrat i v e

Pri n t e d fo r D
i n t h e Po ultry

rn e d

on

of

e di t o r

of

the

th e

W i tc h e s

of

G allo w gre en

of

the

P ai s le y R ep o si

se lle r,

1 809

A H i s t o ry

W it h

l 2m o

of th e

an

N e i lso n fo r

Jo h n

M illar, Bo o k

W i tc h es

of

R e nfre ws h i re

A N e w Edi t i o n

bo dyi n g E xt rac t s h i th erto un

R ec o rds o f t h e Pre sbyt e ry o f Pai sley

In t ro du c t i o n , Em

bli sh e d fro m t h e
Pai sley A le x
Sm all Pap e r

pu

Gardn e r, 1 877

F ro n t

Large

a nd

WI TCH CRA FT

SCO T TI S H BO O KS O N

W i tc h c raft
Lo ver

Prov en

o f the

Arrai gn d,

T ru th

l 2m o

aut h o r

is

Co n dem n d, &c

an d

by

Glas go w, 1 6 97
Th e

259

t o be t h e Re v

s ai d

Jo hn

Bell, mi n i ste r

of

Glads mui r

W i t c h c raft at
Edi nburgh 1 704

Re lati o n

of

An Answe r

man

Let te r

of a

c o ntai n i n g

Pi t t en wh eam

8 vo

fro m
bri e f

Ge nt lem an i n Fi fe t o

A c c o un t

of

N o ble

t h e Barbaro u s

an d

ille gal T reat m e nt t h ese p o o r W o m e n ac c us e d o f W i t c h c r a t

m e t wi t h ro m t h e Bai lli e s o f i tt enwe e m an d o t h e rs ;

wi t h

so m e

fe w O b serv at i o n s t h ere o n

An A c c o un t

t h e h o rri d

Le t t e r

burg h

Feb 5 th , 1 705

ro m

J ust

an d

Barb aro us M urder i n

Pri nt e d in t h e ye ar 1 705

Re p roo f t o t h e Fal se R e p o rt s
F o re g o i ng Le tt e rs

the

adde d

Ge n tle m an i n F i fe t o h i s Fri en d i n Edi n

Sm all 4t o

of

T o wh i c h i s

an d

U nj ust C alu m ni e s i n

(N o t i tle page
-

or

dat e )
.

AE I TEPO E KO IIIA

OR
Bri e f Di s c o urse
.

an d

C o ll

t h e Sec o n d Sigh t c o mm o nly s o

R ev ere n d o h n Fr azer , M i ni st e r o f T e re e

an d

burgh

Dean

of

A n dre w Sym so n , wi t h

E di n

c o n c e rn i n g

By t h e

c alle d

t h e I s le s
a

Pri nte d

Do mi n i M DC C VI I

And

Sh o rt A c c o unt
by M r

Publi she d
of

by M r

t h e A ut h o r

An dre w Symson, Ann o

26 0 H IS TOR Y O F WI T CH CR A F T IN SC O TLAN D

Th e Se c o n d Si gh t , Dream s , and App arit io n s ,

wi t h sev eral i nst anc es su f c i en t ly atte ste d ; and An An

A T re ati se

on

x
e
n
i
o
f
d
p

O th ers

A ut h e n t i c

eq ually

fro m

Th e

t rat ed wi t h Le tt e rs t o

an d

of

A Sh o rt Di sse rt at io n

h i s T reati se ;
c hi evo us
Effec ts

Insulan us
Edin

and
of

Lo os e

t h e Aut h o r

Pri nc i ples

Illus

th e Subj ec t

on

th e M is

on

By Th eO p h i lu

burgh

Prin t ed

Pri n t e rs , M oroc c o

b y R uddi man , Ault l,

Clo se , Law nm arke t

(Rep ri nt e d alo ng wi t h Ki rk s
1 8 1 5 an d i n M i sc ellan ea Sc o t i c a

M ac leo d s Hist o ry o f W i t c h es
and e ngrav ed

y o f W i tc h es

T h e H i sto r

Be rwi c k

v o ls

t i tle

W i tc h c raft

Jam es Paterso n

Sm all 8 v o

"

asgow ,

a nd

H ighland See rs

R T aylo r , N D

12am

Gh o s t s ,

Co

Gl

Lo n do n , 1 793

(Front

1 76 3

and

Sec ret Co mm on wealt h ,

Be li e f in

W h o le

u ns up p o r te d

by Sc ri pture

F ro nt

By t h e Re v

A be rdee n , 18 1 5

8 vo

W i tc h c raft and

h e Se c o nd Si gh t ; wi t h an O ri gi nal Ess ay o n W i tc h c raft

Edinburgh : P ri nt e d fo r D W e b ste r 1 820
8 vo

A Co llec t ion

of

R are

an d

Curi o u s T rac ts

on

T h e Luc kless Drave ,

Dunbar,
th e

an d o t h e r

W it c h es

W rec k

of

Po em s

wi th N o t es

Lot hi an

o f East

Edin burgh , 1 8 20

l 2m o

t h e J ohn and A g nes

and

W oo dc uts

n ear

Ane c do te s

of

26 2 H I S T O R Y O F WI TC H CRAF T I N S CO TLA N D
Th e Ph iloso p h y

Dic ki e

of

M i tc h ell

addi t i o n

an d

Cust o m e s

of

C ri m in al T ri als ,
Anale c ta

to

t h ose

li s t , w h ic h m i gh t hav e
wh o w ish t o s t ud t h e su

c o n sult

S i r Ge o

M ac ke nz i e

Sc o t lan d i n M at t e rs C ri m in al,

1 210 0

foregoi ng

to th e

rec o m m e n de d

F ro n t

bly e xt ended

an d

By

O li ve r 85 Bo y d, 1 840

c o ns i dera

are

Edi nbu rgh

In

W i tc h c raft

Law

M e m o ri alls ,

an d

"

'

be e n
bj ec t
Laws

Pi t c airn s

W oo dro w s

I N D E!

A berdee n , a yo un g m an i nfe s t e d
by a s i ri t , 35 ; Di sapp e aran c e o f
se a gu Is , 1 20
dam so n e , A rc h bi s h o p o f St An
dr ew s , 4 6
i r anda et N o tanda , 1 6 0
A dm
'
a
A
pp , C o rn e li us , 89
A e xan de r II I , a gh o s t at t h e
w e ddi ng fest i v i t i es o f, 23
Ali v e , a m an b uri e d, l l l
A nn an dale , st range ap pari t i o n s
i n , 224
Angus, t h e Earl o f, be wi t c h e d
58
A ni m als buri e d ali v e , 99 , 1 01
An e In t e rlude o f t h e Layi ng o f a

Gai st , 1 50
Angels , a gi rl c o n v ersi n g wi t h , 1 55
A p p ar i ti o ns , R ec ue il de D is ser ta
tio ns ea r les, 22
Appari t i o n s , 1 24 , 1 43 , 1 6 7, 1 6 9
Arran , Earl and C o unt e s s o f, 8 3
Arran , c au s in g s to rm s at , 1 3 3
Argyle , t h e Earl o f, s u p po s e d t o
be ai de d by a wi t c h , 82 ; Co m i ng
fro m Ho llan d, 1 6 7
As t o n i s h in g a p ari ti o n s in t h e
re i
o f C h ar e s I L, 1 43
At bo e , Earl o f, c ro wne d wi t h
re d h o t i ro n , 3 2
At h o le , C o unt e s s o f, ac c us e d o f
rac t i s i n g
t h e blac k ar t, 4 3 ;
uri o u s le t t e r fro m ,
At h o le m e n addi c t e d t o m u si c , 1 3 5

Aub re y s li fe o f Dr Ke t t le , 21 3
'

Aubre y s M is c ellam es , 1 20
e s c o n si de re d un o dl , 1 35
y
g
t yn e , Si r Le wi s , rai s i n g t h e
de v i l, 49
Balm e ri n o , Lo rd, ge ts an amat o ri
o us p o t i o n , 4 9
-

Balfo ur , Ali so n , an O rc s dian wi t c

84
Balc arras , Lo rd, se es t h e gh ost
h i s ri e n d, 1 70

Balgarran s , t h e lai rd o f, daugh t

171
Bark e r , an e t , c o n vi c t e d at Ed
u rgh , 1 1 3
Bat h g at e , Eli zabe t h , p ursue d
s o rc e ry, 1 07

Bax t er s Wo rld of Sp ir i ts , 2 18 , 2

Be aum o n t s Tr ea ti se of Sp i r i
21 4 , 2 1 7

Bell s T reatise of Wi tc h c raft, 1

209 , 2 1 7

Be ll s T r i a l of Wi tc hc r aft, 209
Bed o rd, R , m urder o f, at Le i
92
Be n o i t , a w i zar d o f Bern e , 3 5
Bi le , t h e , an d t h e gh o s t , 1 50

Bi rr e ll s ac c o un t o f t h e m urde r
W arris t o n , 90
Bi s h o p s s aid t o be c lo ven oo te
1 46
Blac kadde r, o h n , 1 45

Bli n d H arry s ac c o un t o f an a
i
n
a
o
r
i
t
, 25
p
Blo o d rain e d at C am e lo n, 20
Bo o t s , t h e t o rt ure o f t h e , 64
Bo q uh an e , t h e Lai rd o f, 54
Bo t h we ll, t h e Earl o f, a no t
n ec ro m an c er, 79
o h n , vi si on s
Bri gh t ly, R e v
1
2
e
a
r
i
n
t
o
0
,
p
g
Bro ken o n t h e w h ee l, 9 1
Bruc e , Ki ng Ro ert , 29

Bruc e s serm o n s , 8 0
Brugh , o h n , wo rri e d at a s t
1 12
Br s o n, M argare t , c o ndemned an
e xec ute d, 126

26 4
Buc c le uc h , Lady, addi c t e d t o Cunni ngh am , J o h n , ali as D
wi tc h c raft , 4 2
F ian , 55
Buc h an an o n t h e m urde r o f Darn
Curi ng st o n e , t h e Lee Pe nn y,
C urate s sai d to be wi zards , l 4
ley, 42
Burn s , N ic o l, dec lares Kno x a Dalke i t h , i n c i de nt s at , 1 1 0, l 1 2,
Dalye ll, G en e ral, t h e deat h o f,
so rc e re r, 4 8

Burn in g ani m als ali v e , 2 10

Dalye ll s The D ar ker S up
Buryi ng ani m als ali v e , 2 1 0
ti o ns of S c o tland, 26 1
But t er maki ng e n c h ant e d gure s Dan c i ng , 1 3 7
Deat h , p rec o gni t i o n o f, 1 24 ,
o f, 53
,

C ai t h n e s s , v e ry si ngular c ase at , 1 8 0
C am e lo n, w o nde rful v i si o ns at , 20
C am e ro n , Bi s h o p o f Glasgo w , m ys
t e ri o us deat h o f, 3 3
C ap s , p e c uli ar , o f t h e 1 7th c e n

tur

212

C arat ake , Ki n
l 7, l 8

C azo tt e s D ia e A mo ur eux, 3 5
C at t le , dest ruc t i o n o f, 98
C harles L, Kin g, deat h of p re
di c t e d, 1 20
Ch arles I I , King , n um ero us c as e s
duri n g t h e re i gn o f, 1 26
Ch aun e ri e , C R os s b urn e d at , 53
C h i ld b i rt h , i n c re as i ng t h e p ain
o f, 4 3
C i v i l w ar p re di c t ed, 1 20
C lay i m ages , maki ng, fo r sh o o t i ng
.

at ,

52

Cle llan d s E gi es Cler i co r um , 22

C lo se burn , c uri o us c ase at , 1 6 1
Co c h ran e , Sir Jo h n , 1 6 7
C o c k , Jan et , ac c u s e d o f m ak in g
o
m
s
a
d
1
28
ers
o
n
,
g
p
C o rri c h i e , t h e s k i rm i sh o f, 50

C o t t a s Tr ya ll of Witc hc r aft, 1 06

0 00 1 s , t h e Lai rd o f, gh o st , 205
C o rnfo o t , Jan e t , brut ally m ur
de re d, 1 75
C raigm ad st ran e i n c ide nt at , 1 45
C ri e , t h e Kn o c o f, 1 59

C ro m art i e s , Lord, w e ddi ng , 88

hi s Synop s i s Ap oc alyp ti c a , 8 9
C ro m b i e , T h o mas , h ange d at Dal
k e it h , 1 1 2
Cro s fo rd ap ri t i o n s at , 1 6 7
1 72
C ullen , Lo r
Cum yn, th e R e d, de at h o f, an d
s trange p roph e c y , 29

'

2 14

Dev i l s , t h e , m ark, 1 1 3
De v il, t h e , in t h e lik e ne ss
m an, 1 3 1 ; Li k e n ess o f a
do
1 32 ; T h e s i ngi ng o f, 1
De v i s h c h arm s , 21 6
De w , lo o dy, 3 8

Di c ki e s T he P h ilo s ogi hy of Wi
c r aft, 262
Di g y, Si r Ke n elm , 8 1
Di c ks o n ,
ohn ,
re
a
c
hi
n
p
g
Glasgo w , 144
Di seas e s t ran s e rre d ro m o n e
so n t o an o t h e r , 4 5
Do n , t h e ri v e r, a m o n s t e r se e n
1 20
Do rc h e ste r, sp i ri t m an i es t at i
at , 225
Do rn o c h , an e x ec ut i o n at , 200
Do uglas , Lady, p e nu ri o us dis p
t i o n o f, 150
Dre am s re v e ali n g t h e h aun t s o f
h illm e n , 1 4 7
Dru m m o n d, A le x , s uffere d de
fo r s o rc e ry , 1 01
Duu s , Ki ng , dan gers ro m w i t
c ra t , 2 1
Duffus , Lo rd, 207

Dun ar s T h e D r eam of the A b

40
Dun c a ne , Ge illi e , 56
Du m r ie s sh i r e , re markable rev
lat i o n s at , 1 6 0
Dun c e , wo nder ul v i s i o ns at , 2

Dun das , R o e rt , Ki ng s adv

1 84
Du dee , Vi sc o un t , t h e gh o st
1 0
Dunn o t tar Cas t le . 1 38

'

'

I N DE!

26 6

In nerki
wi t c h e s at , 1 30
Io n a, c ebrat e d wi t c h at , 1 8
Iri sh m e n , addic t e d t o m usi c , 1 3 5
I r vi n e , t ri al fo r wi tc h c raft at , 255
Jam es I , death p ro ph e si ed by a
wi t c h , 30
Jam e s I V and t h e app ari ti o n, 38
Jam es V , e xec uti o ns i n th e re i gn
o f, 3 8 ; St ran ge dre am s o f, 40
Jam e s V L, hi s daem o no lo gi e , 86 ,
255
Jar di ne , Sir Alex , o f Ap p leg i rt h ,
1 49
Ke nn e dy, Sir Arc h , t h e de vil
c arri e s away, 1 48
Kenn et h , King, law s agai n s t
w i zards, 20
Ke t t le , Dr an d Lo rd H o llan d s
daugh t e rs , 2 1 3
Kile rn an , t h e p ari sh o f, 1 8 1 ;
W i t c h e s at , 26 1
Ki lli c ran k t h e bat t le o f, 1 70
Ki n c ai d, o h n , s t rangle d by hi s
wi fe , 90
Ki n ro ss , re m arkable e v en t at , 1 77
Ki rkc udb ri gh t sh ire , s i ngular do
i ngs o f a sp i r i t i n , 229
Ki rk , Re v R , o n t h e wi t c h m ark ,
209

Ki rk s S ecr et Comm on wealth, 1 3 1 ,

1 3 5, 256
Ki rkp atri c k , Ro ge r, o f Clo s eburn ,
29
Ki rk p at ri c k , Sir Th o m as , 23 0
Ki rkt o wn o f Auc h t e rarde r, 101

Ki rkt o n s H is tory, 1 58
Kn o x , Jo h n , ac c o un t o f st range
d ee m s , 40; A c c o un t e d a wi zard,
-

Kno x s The F i rst Blast of

the

T ru mp e t agai ns t the M onstr ous

Reg ime nt of Wome n, 48
Kn o x , Ro e rt , ac c ount o f w i t c h
c ra t at
o lloc k , 1 3 8
Lam , Dr , to rn to p i e c e s , 1 76
Lam o nt , M ary, t h e c o n e ss i o n o f,
13 1
Lam p s , m agi c al, 28
Lanark , strange sigh t s at , 1 6 7

f
b

b
P

Lass wade , an i n st anc e at , 1 03

Last e x ec uti o n o f a wi t c h i n S
land, 1 99
Lauder, M argaret , c o n v i c te d
Edin burg h , 1 1 3
Lauderdale , Du k e o f, o n wit c h c
inc i de n t s , 2 1 9
Lan g uage s , s p eaki ng n um er
222
Law ri e ,

Pat ri c k burne d

fo r

94
Lee , i r C h arles , daugh te r o f,
Le e , t h e Lai rd o f, 99
Lee en n y c u ri ng s t o ne , 1 00
Le sle y, Ge n e ral, an ap p arit i o n
1 23

Lilly s Li e , 1 20
Li ndsay , Si r am e s , de at h o f,
Li n dsay, Si r Dav i d, T he A bb
48
Li nli t h go w Loc h , t h e s wan s at ,
Lo t h , t h e p ari s h o f, 1 9 9
Lo t h ian , Earl o f, w o rri e d
w izard, 4 6
Lo udun n un s , 226
M ac alr e an, E up h am e , c o nfes
o f, 58 , 72
M ac et h an d t h e w e i rd s i s t e rs
M ac Gi lc h ri st , o h n , t o w n c ler
Glasg o w , 1 7 1
M ac gillim o n dan , W m a warlc
53

M Gri o r, Do n ald, a c h i ld o f,
wi t c e d, 1 52

M ac k e nzi e s , Si r G e o rge , lo o d
s uin g rom , 1 4 8
M ac k e nzi e , Si r Geo rge , wo rds
9 4 , 1 26 , 26 2

M ac leo d s H is to ry of Wi tc hes ,
M ar, Earl o f, rac t i si n g m agi c
M ar, lo ud t u c in g o f drum s h
i n , 120
M ar k , t h e am ily o f, 4 5
M ary, Que e n , re i gn rui t ul
wit c h c ra t , 4 1
M axw ell, Hen r , o f Dalsw i n
1 65
M i d Calde r, wi t c h c ra t , 1 95
M ille r, M rs , o f Ki lm aurs , 1 74
c er

M i t c h ell, W m

th e mad ti nkleri an

do c to r, 1 9 5
'

Mi tc h e ll s 7 he P hi lo sop hyof

..o

i ng

c o ns p irac

Wi tc h

,
,

19

18

M o n c ri e s T he P o or M an s P hysi
c ia n , 1 3 0
M ont g o m eri e , W m o f Cai t h n es s ,
1 82
M o nt o m e ry, C ap t ai n A le x , A

L y s La m ent a ti on, 1 22
M o n tro se , M arq ui s o f, gui ded by
i
1
2
h
ec
e
s
2
ro
,
p p
M o nzi e , w i t c h c ra t at , 1 5 1
M o ray, Lady, p re c og ni ti o n o f
deat h , 1 7 1
M un ro , H ec t or, in di c t e d fo r wi tc h
c ra t , 52
M yln e , M argaret , s e en i n t h e li k e
n ess o f a c at , 1 28
N ap i e r, Bar ara, 72, 7 3
N ap i er, Si r Arc h i ald, deem e d a
w i zard, 1 2 1
N ap i e r , Si r Ro be rt , p rec ogni t io n
o f de at h , 1 24
N ath o lo c us , Ki ng , wi t c h c ra t i n
t h e t i m e o f, 1 8
N e w i ggi ng , 1 03
N e w E ng lan d, so rc ery at , 1 74
N i c ni ven , a s o rc e ress burn ed at
St An dre ws , 5 1
N i c o lso n , M i c h ae l St e wart , 1 3 0
N in Gil e rt , M argare t , c o nfes si o n
o f, 1 82
N i s et , Ali e , suffers deat h fo r
wit c h c ra t , 1 06
'
N i v e n , C at h e ri n e , urne d at Cri e ,
1 59
N ues , M argare t , a wi t c h , 45
O c hilt r e e , Lo rd, t h e daugh t e r o f, 48
O rk n e y, t h e Earl o f, 84
O rkn e , t ri als at , 255
O rm i st o n , Lady, 1 06

O s o rn e s Tr adi ti onal M emor ials,

1 20
O s o rn e , Luk e , an d h is wi e , 1 76
O s wald, Cat h e ri ne , i n di c t m e n t o f,
1 02

Pais ley ve wi tc h es burned at

Pat e rso n s Belief i n Wi tc he r q ft
Pat ri c k Saint ass ailed by wi t c

Pea

r,

th e

e n c hant e d, o f

Goals

24

P earso n

c o nvi c t e d o f s o m e

52
e de n , li e o f, 1 6 8
e pp e r m i ln e
urn e , 1 03
e rt h ,
c u ri o us c i rc um s tan c e s
1 25
e t e rh e ad , m s t e ri o us s o un ds
1 20
P in , t e st i ng
i nse rt i o n o f, l
1 1 3 , 1 94

i ns i n a W i zard s h e ad, 65
i n e t , a wi zard, 3 6

i t c ai rn s Cr i m i nal Tr ia ls , 26 2
i tt en we e m , t h e w i t c h e s o f, 1
259
P o lt ro t de M e re, 30

P rynn e s H i dden Wo rks of Da

nes s , 2 1 8
Que e n s e rry, Du ke o f, 1 48
R am s ay, Da vy, c lo c k m ak er, 1 2

Ra m say s A s tr o logi a R es ta ur
120
R am say, I sa el, ge t t i ng a s i xp e
r o m t h e de v i l, 1 27
R e i d, am e s, c o n vi c t ed o f so rc e
94
R e i d, o h n , s t rangle d at Pai s l
1 72
Re n re w shi re , wi tc h c ra t at ,
1 6 77 , 138
R en re w s h i re , t h e wi t c h e s i n 1 6
1 7 1 , 257
R en re w s h i re , o ri gin o f t h e m
ac t u re o f t h r e ad at , 1 74
R i g w o o dy wi t c h , t h e , 1 77
Ri n g C ro t o f St o c k i ng , 23 0, 25

R i n g w i t h a de at h s h e ad, 1 70
Ro s s, Ch ri s tian , u rn e d fo r m ak
c lay i m a e s , 53
g
Ro s s, C ap t ai n Davi d, o f Li
Dean , 1 9 9
R o t h e s , Du ke o f, 1 47
R o y, Bes s y, tri al fo r wi tc h c ra t,

P
P
P

by

P
P
P
P

'

IN DE!

26 8

Royali st s supp o sed to be i n t h e

s ervi c e o f Satan , 146
Rut h e rfo rd, W m , vis i o n re v eale d
t o , 203
R uth e rg le n, 1 44
St Andre ws , a no t able wi tc h
burn ed at , 5 1

St C at h e ri ne s , 1 03
Samwo n , Agnes , t ri al and c o nfe s
s i o n , 59 , 75
Satan app e aring i n t h e fo rm o f a
medic i na r , 1 05
Sa te W o o d, t h e devil rai sed i n ,
o

San d s t rav e ls , 1 48
y
San di lan ds , Pat ri c k , so n o f Lo rd
T o rp h i c h e n, 1 9 4
Sc alc rai g, s trange v isi o ns at , 202
S c ri bo n i us, 3 7
Sc o t t , T Jus t i c e -C lerk , 4 1
Sc o t t o f Sc o t st arv e t , 4 9
Sc o tt , Si r M i c h ae l, a c e le brat ed
e n c h ant e r, 27
Sc o t t i s h c o un te ss e lo p e d wi t h a
ban d o f gi p si es, 1 22

Sc o t t s D is c o ve ry of Wi tc hc r aft, 50,
26 1
Sc rabs t e r i n C ai t h n e s s , 1 8 1
Se c o n d s igh t , 25 1 , 260
Sh aw , C h ri s ti an , t h e c as e o f, 1 7 1 ,
Sh e t lan d, t ri als at, 256
Shi p e n dan e re d by an In c ub us , 3 4
Sh o w ers 0
bo n n et s, h ats , and
s, 167
Si c n e ss laid be neat h a barn do o r,
.

l:

210
Si m so n , Arc h , m i n i s te r o f Dal
k e i t h , 46

Sin c lai r s S ata n s I n vis ible Wo rld,

1 3 4, 256
So uli s , Lo rd, o ile d t o de at h , 27, 28
Spaldi ng , am e s , uri e d ali ve , 1 1 1
Sp e dli n s , t h e t o we r o f, a gh o st
s to r , 14 9
Sp o tt , m any wi t c h es urn ed at , 1 76
.

Sp yn i e , Lo rd, le tt e r to Li nds ay
St at ute s agai nst w i t c h c raft
e
a
l
e
d
2
00
,
p
St e w art , Jo h n, m ast er o f O rk
84 , 85
St e wart , W m , hanged fo r m m
.

52

Suc c u bi and In c ub i , 34, 36

T e lfai r s T r ue Rela ti o n of an
a
r
i
2
t
o
i
n
3 0, 25 7
,
p
T e t ragramm ato n , t h e w o rd, 88
T i n kle rian do c t o r , t h e m ad, 1 9
T h o mas t h e Rh ym e r , 23
T ort h o rwald, Lo rd,
83
T o r h i c h e n , Lo rd, th e so n o f,
p
w i tc h ed, 1 9 4
Th urso , t ri al o f M argare t
G i lbe rt , 1 9 1
Tr an e n t , w i tc h c raf t at , 56
T ran s p o rt e d t h ro ugh t h e ai r,
T r u ai re , Earl o f, 1 1 1
Wa e , M argare t , e x ec ut e d
c u ri ng an d i ni c t in g di s e ase s
W alke r, Pat ri c k , v i ndi c at i o n o f
C am ero n , 1 3 7
W ax i m ages , w i t c h c raft by m
o f, 2 1 , 3 1
W e e m s , Re v Jo h n , m in i ster
Dun s , 220
W est m i nst e r A bbe y, 120
W hi rlwi n d, p ro p h e syi ng a, 1 29

W h i st le o er t h e lave o t , 1 3
W i lk i e , R e v J o h n , p r eac h i ng
w i t c h c raft , 1 9 5
W i t c h m ark s , 8 7, 208, 209
W i t t y an d e n t e rtai ni ng e xp !

o f Geo rge Buc h an an ,

1 75
W oo dr o w m e n t io n s t wo Re
ables , 1 25 ; A nalec ta , 26 2 ; I
to , 18 1
W o rri ed at a stak e an d bu
1 1 2, 1 1 9
Y o ung, I s o be l, i n di c t m e nt o f,
.

RO BERT M A C LEH O S E , P R INT ER TO T H E UN I V E RS ITY

G LASGO W

i n i ma cy with the s ubj ec ts he reats of, tha g i ves M r Bethune s

boo le a g reat c ha rm in our eyes

AT H E N E U M

The p i ct ures of r ura ife and c a rac er a

a r to us r e

m arkably r ue , as we as pleasi ng
C H A M BE R S JOUR N A L
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T H E H I S T OR Y O F B UR KE A N D H A RE AN D
O F T H E RE S URRE C T I O N I S T T I M E S
A
F rag m e n t ro m t h e C rim i n al A n n al s O f Sc o tlan d By
G EORG E M AC G RE G O R , E S A Sc o t
W i th 7 Illustra
ti o n s , De m y 8 vo Pric e 7 8 6 d
.

Mr

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tly

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SC OTS M A N

T H E H I S T O R Y OF GLA S G O W : F ro m th e E arli e s t
P e ri o d t o th e Pre s e n t T im e By GE ORG E M AC G RE G O R ,
F S A Sc o t
C o n t aini n g 36 Illus tratio n s , Dem y 8 vo
Pri c e 1 28 6 d
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GRA H A M , Ske llat Be llm an O f Glasgo w
with N o te s , t o ge th e r w ith a Bio grap h i c al an d Bi bli o
g rap h i c al I n tro duc tio n , an d a Ske t c h o f th e C h ap
Lit e rature O f Sc o tlan d , by G EO R GE M AC G RE G O R ,
I m p re ss io n lim ite d t o 250 C o p i e s
F S A Sc o t
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J O URN E Y T O T H E WE S T E R N I S LA N D S I N
C ro wn 8 vo
1 773
By S AM U E L JO H N S O N , LL D
Pri c e 3 3
Wr i tt en by J o hns o n h i ms elf, a nd not to be c o nfo unded wi th
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T H E B OOK O F S O O T T I S H A N E CD O T E : H um o r
o us , S o c i al, Le g e n dary, an d H i s to ri c al
E dite d by
ALE ! AN DE R H I S LO P
C ro wn 8 vc , p p 7 6 8 Pric e 59
The most c o mp r ehens i ve c o llec t i o n of S c o tti s h A nec do tes , con
tai n i ng about 3 000 i n num ber
.

T H E B OO K O F S C O T T I S H S T OR Y : H is tori c al,
T raditio n al, Le g e n d ary, I m agin ary, an d H um oro us
C ro wn 8 vo , p p 7 68
Pric e 53
A m ost i nteres t ing and varied C o llec t io n by Leadi ng Scottish
A uthare
.

T H E B O OK O F S C O T T I S H P O E M S : An c ient an d
M o d e rn
E dite d by J R o s s
C ro wn 8 vo , pp 7 6 8
P ric e 56
C o mp r i si ng a H is to ry of S c o tt i sh P oet ry and P o ets fr om
t h e ea r li s t t im es
th
i
L
i
ves of the P o et s and selec t i o ns
W
e
r o m th ei r
Wr it i ngs
.

By AN DRE W H E N DERSO N
S C O T TI S H P R O VE RB S
Pri c e 3 8 6 d
C ro wn 8 v o
A c heap edi t i o n of a bo o k tha t has long h eld a h ig h p lac e i n
S c o tt i s h Li ter a t ur e
.

A DE S C R I P T I ON O F T H E WE S T E R N I S LE S O F
S C O T L AN D , C A LLE D H YB RI DE S
W ith t h e
G e n e alo gie s o f t h e C h ie C lan s O f th e I sle s
By SI R
DO N ALD M O N R O , H igh De an O f th e I sle s , wh o
tr av e lle d th ro ug h m o st O f th em i n th e ye ar 1 549
I m p ressi o n li mi te d t o 250 c o p i e s De m y 8 vo Pric e 55
.

l t tt
d gl
t
ll g

l d

T is is the ea r i es wri en es c ri p io n of the Wes ern I s a n s ,

a nd i s exc ee i n y q ua i n
a nd i n er es i n
I n his e i i o n a ll
the o ld c ur i o us sp e i n s a re s r i c y r et a i ne

t
t tl

t g

dt

A DE S C RI P T I ON O F T H E WE S T E RN I S LA N D S
O F S C O T LA N D C I R C A 1 6 95 By M A RT IN M A RT I N
I m p re ss i o n lim it e d t o 250 c o p i e s
De m y 8 vo
Pri c e
.

1 23 6 d

Wi the exc ep i o n of Dea n M onro s sm a wo rk 1 50 yea rs

r evi o us , i t i s th e ea r i es
ri p i o n of t h e Wes er n I s a n s we
e
s
c
p
a ve, a nd i s th e o n y en
y wo r k o n the s ubj ec befo r e the er a
M a r i n ver y i n eres i n y esc ri bes the
of m o e rn i nno va i o ns
e m a bo u 200 yea rs ago
i
w
ays as h e foun
e op e a nd
r
e
p
.

th

th

l td
l l gth
.

ll

d th

t
l d
t
t gl d
t

T H E S C O T T I S H P O E T S , R E CE N T A N D LI VI N G
By ALE ! AN D E R G M U RDO C H
W ith Po rtraits , Po s t
8 vo
Pri c e 6 3
A m os t i nt er est i ng resum e of S c o tt i s h P o et ry i n r ec ent t i me s
C o nt ai ns a bi o gr ap h i c a l s ket c h , c ho i c e p iec es and p o rt ra i ts of
t h e rec ent a nd li vi ng S c o tt i s h P o ets
.