Witchcraft in Scotland

Robert Gunn, Author and Historian

Witchcraft in Scotland

How tales and beliefs of witchcraft and demons came to Scotland

The flame tuik fast upon her cheik

Tuik fast upon her chin;

Tuik fast upon her faire bodye -

She burn'd like hollins green.

-- Traditional Ballad, Earl Richard

There are many stories and accounts of witches and witchcraft in Scotland. Witchcraft and demonology were major concerns of the nobility and lower classes alike. Superstition abounded and the measure the people went to, are by today's standards, as equally horrifying as the accusations placed on the unfortunate individuals to be called witches themselves. Below are some specific cases.

The Witch of Irongray

"In the reign of James the VI of Scotland, or under the early government of his son Charles, traditions tells of a woman that was burned as a witch in the parish of Irongray, about seven miles west from Dumfries. In a little mud-walled cottage, in the lower end if the Bishop's Forrest, and nigh the banks of the water of Culden, resided a poor widow woman, who earned her bread by spinning with a pole, and by weaving stockings from a clue of yarn depending from her bead-strings. She lived alone, and was frequently seen on a summer's eve, sitting upon a jagged rock, which overhung the Routing burn, or gathering sticks, late in a November evening, among the rowan-tree roots, nigh the dells which signalise the sides of that romantic stream. She had also, sometimes, lying in her window a black-letter Bible, whose boards are covered with the skin of a fumart, and which two grotesque clasps of brass to close it when she chose. Her lips were sometimes seen to be moving when she went to church, and she was observed to predict shower or sunshine at certain periods, which predictions often came to be realised...."

"The Bishop of Galloway was repeatedly urged to punish this witch; and lest it should be reported to the King that he refused to punish witches, he at last caused her to be brought before him, nigh on the spot. She was rudely forced from her dwelling, and several neighbours of middle or of old age were sited to declare all the wicked things she had done."

"She was sentenced to be drowned in the Routing burn, but the crowd insisted she should be shut up in a tar-barrel and hurled into the Culden. Almost against the Bishops consent, this latter death was consummated. The wretched woman was enclosed in a barrel, fire was set to it and it was rolled in a blaze, into the waters of the Culden."

International a.k.a. Dunardry Heritage Association supports Clan MacTavish interests worldwide and includes both the Dunardry and Stratherrick Clan MacTavish sites.

MacTavish International a.k.a. Dunardry Heritage Association supports Clan MacTavish interests worldwide and includes both the Dunardry and Stratherrick Clan MacTavish sites.