Scotland Sorcery
When you think of the word "witch", what comes to mind? A wart faced old woman in a black dress with a broom? Well, in the old days, you didn't need to be ugly to be called a "witch" Actually, all a woman needed was an unusual birthmark or freckle, or to go singing and dancing outside, or just have someone in authority charge you as a witch and you could be executed!
Although there have been stories concerning witchcraft since the beginning of time, persecution did not begin until 1500's. The Witchcraft Act of 1563, made it illegal for anyone to be or consort with a witch. The first great persecution trials of North Berwick, began in 1590 with King James I and VI. Upon returning to Denmark with his new girlfriend, a powerful storm almost killed the pair. The King believed that witchcraft was the cause of the storm and had about 100 people arrested. Many were tortured and burned alive.
Hunting Forfar witch trials of 1661 and of Auldearn in 1662 ensnared many supposed witches through the use of an arrested "witch" who pointed out others as being witches in order to save herself from execution. A the Witch Trials in Aberdeen, 7 women were accused of using magic to murder for the body parts of victims to create potions. And the Pittenween Trials of 1704, were based on the accusations of 16-years-old boy. After an argument with a female customer, the lad developed psychosomatic symptoms - spasms and loss of appetite. He accused his female customer and several other women of being witches since they had "put a spell" on him. Each of the defendants were tortured. One was even crushed under boulders. It was later discovered that the boy had made everything up.
The Trials of Renfrewshire in 1695, the last major accusation of witches in Scotland, began when 11 year old Christian Shaw caught a Highland in the family's emploly maid drinking forbidden milk and threatened to tell her mother. The maid told the girl that the devil would take her to hell - "harl thee to hell."
Soon after Christian began to have seizures and visions, claiming that the maid was torturing her. More alarming, she vomited feathers, hay, wax, stones, even an ember. There were accounts of her floating around the room and moving things without touching them. Eventually she accused several others of witchcraft. Over 20 men, women and children were imprisoned and examined by professional witch hunters. Several children and a minister, were found dead on the morning of the trials. Fourteen of the accused were found not guilty. The rest were hanged and burned. Christian was cured after the executions.
The Witchcraft Act was abandoned in 1736. It is estimated that over 4000 people were executed for witchcraft in Scotland alone. Only 4 "witches" were recorded as practicing in Ireland, and only 3 in Wales. So for those of you with freckles or birthmarks (like me), be thankful that things have changed!
Rauncie Kinnaird owns Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds specializing in Celtic jewelery, food, Guinness clothing, gift items, pipe band supplies and Highland dress including kilts and tartans. Sign-up for free articles on Celtic history and events at http://www.kinnairdbagpipes.com
monty python-witch scene
