Witchcraft in Scotland
Fear of witchcraft affected many areas of Scotland in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, and, as a result, several hundred witchcraft trials were held in Scotland in that period. For more information about witchcraft in Scotland, details of historical records and frequently asked questions about witchcraft see below.
Fear of witches and witchcraft trials
Persecution of supposed witches started in medieval times. However, in Scotland the phenomenon became most intense between 1563 and about 1700, when witchcraft was a criminal offence punishable by death. Popular fear of witchcraft may have increased after the Reformation, although the shortage of record sources prior to the reign of James VI makes this difficult to verify. Witch-hunting was suppressed by the Cromwellian administration of the 1650s, but witch-hunts reappeared in various parts of Scotland in the last quarter of the 17th century. The method of execution was normally strangulation, following which the body was burnt in public to prevent re-animation by demonic forces. After 1763 courts could only prosecute for ‘pretended witchcraft’ and impose a maximum penalty of a year’s imprisonment. Cases could be investigated by local church courts or landowners’ courts, but most trials were conducted by special justiciary commissions sent from Edinburgh. Trials often took place in the burgh nearest to the alleged crime, since towns had gaols to hold the accused, buildings in which a large court could sit and the financial resources to accommodate a trial and stage an execution.
Archive sources for witchcraft trials
Although sources in the National Records of Scotland have been extensively examined by researchers, sources for the study of witchcraft in local areas do not appear to have been similarly examined. The phenomenon of witchcraft in Scotland and its investigation by church and civil authorities merits further investigation, including the differentiation by some courts between superstitious charming and witchcraft, and the treatment of witchcraft accusations in cases of slander.
Contributors: David Brown, Alison Rosie (both National Archives of Scotland, 2002); Christine Lodge (Highland Council Archives, 2002); Robin Urquhart (SCAN, 2002).
Bibliography
Black, G. F., Calendar of Cases of Witchcraft in Scotland, 1510-1727 (New York Public Library, 1938).
Larner, Christina Enemies of God: the witch hunt in Scotland (John Donald, 2000)
Larner, Christina, C. H. Lee, and H. V. McLachlan, A Source Book of Scottish Witchcraft (University of Glasgow, 1977)
Levack, Brian P Witch-hunting in Scotland: law, politics and religion (Routledge, 2019)
Goodare, Julian, Lauren Martin and Joyce Miller Witchcraft and belief in early modern Scotland (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008)
What sources are available for the study of witchcraft in Scotland for undergraduate and postgraduate students?
First read Christina Larner, Enemies of God: the witch hunt in Scotland (John Donald, 2000); and then consult the unpublished calendar of witchcraft cases C. Larner, C. H. Lee, & H. V. McLachlan, Source Book of Scottish Witchcraft (there are copies at the National Records of Scotland, Glasgow University Library, and the National Library of Scotland). An earlier and less comprehensive work is G. F. Black, Calendar of Cases of Witchcraft in Scotland, 1510-1727 (New York, 1938).
Most witchcraft prosecutions required a commission of justice from Edinburgh and a local court (often a burgh) to make the necessary arrangements. The principal judicial sources on witchcraft cases are the trial records from the Justiciary Court and the Privy Council. These have been published for most of the period in which witch hunts took place in Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, 1554-1691 (Edinburgh 1882-1967); R. Pitcairn, Ancient Criminal Trials in Scotland (Edinburgh, 1833); Justiciary Cases, 1624-50 3 vols (Stair Society, 1953-1974); Justiciary Records, 1661-78 2 vols (Scottish History Society,1905).
There may be additional material in the family papers of local landowners and the minute books of local church courts (kirk sessions and presbyteries), which may be held in local archives, The National Library of Scotland, or in the National Records of Scotland. Other evidence comes from the accounts and minute books of burgh councils, recording the expenses of the trial and execution. Extracts from the minutes and accounts of many burghs are published and contain references to witchcraft, usually in the accounts for the costs of staging a witchcraft trial and carrying out the sentence. For local sources on individual cases, visits to local archives and local studies libraries will probably be necessary. In addition to containing references to witchcraft trials, the records of kirk sessions, presbyteries and burgh courts contain occasional accounts of accusations of witchcraft ending up as cases of slander.
Developing skills in reading 16th, 17th and 18th century handwriting is advisable as this topic will give you plenty of practice! There is guidance available on the ScotlandsPeople website and there are also various courses available through universities or the National Records of Scotland.
Where can I find information about witchcraft in Scotland for a school project?
For information about the history of witchcraft in Scotland you should start with Christina Larner, Enemies of God: the witch hunt in Scotland (John Donald, 2000), and, perhaps, George Sinclair’s 17th century book on witchcraft, Satan’s Invisible World Discovered (Edinburgh, 1685; reprinted 1871). It should be possible to get information about witchcraft trials from published histories of towns, counties and parishes. If extracts from the burgh records of your local burgh have been published, they may contain references to the execution of witches. For all of the above take the advice of your school librarian or local studies librarian. You should find enough information for a school project in published books on witchcraft and on the history of your area. If you want to read original documents, you will need to learn how to read old handwriting first, and you may not have enough time to do that for a school project.
Where can I find information about a specific witchcraft trial?
First ascertain from published sources, including local history sources, the background to the case, especially when the events took place, who was involved, where the trial took place, and the result. Then consult the unpublished calendar of witchcraft cases: C. Larner, C. H. Lee, & H. V. McLachlan, Source Book of Scottish Witchcraft (there are copies at the National Records of Scotland, Glasgow University Library, and the National Library of Scotland) or G. F. Black, Calendar of Cases of Witchcraft in Scotland, 1510-1727 (New York, 1938). These will be your guide to the survival of judicial records or published accounts of the case. If you then feel that it is necessary to visit an archive, be prepared to make a preliminary enquiry by letter or e-mail rather than just turning up. This might prevent a wasted journey, either because the archive has no relevant material, or because the records are held off-site. The central government records (in particular the justiciary court papers) are held at the National Records of Scotland. Other records such as kirk session and presbytery minutes, estate and family papers and burgh records may be held either there, in the National Library of Scotland, or in local archives or libraries. Make sure to give yourself several hours to carry out research, as it can be time-consuming to read through the variety of records.