r/ScottishHistory • u/OtherwiseBug4593 • Mar 06 '25

Help, I’m doing a project on Scottish witch trials

Hi, I’m doing a school project on the witch trials of Scotland. I know this maybe isn’t the best place to ask but I don’t really know where else to turn. Do anyone of you know any places to go in Edinburgh that is related to witches and the witch trials. Of course I have googled, but maybe you have some other ideas?

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8

u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp Mar 07 '25

The Witch's Well, just outside of Edinburgh Castle. Remember, too, that they weren't witches -- they were women, working their fingers to the bone but still somehow challenging to men, which of course requires punishment.

1

u/OtherwiseBug4593 Mar 07 '25

Yes that’s very true, absolutely horrible :(

3

u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp Mar 07 '25

I'm no academic, but if you have any interest in reading historical fiction on the subject, I have a recommendation for you! The King's Witches, by Kate Foster.

1

u/OtherwiseBug4593 Mar 07 '25

Oh I’ve never heard of that, I’ll have to give it a try!

3

u/nashile Mar 07 '25

The witches of Scotland are on Facebook . You can message them and they will give you loads of accurate information. They do podcasts looking into every aspect of the witch accusations

1

u/OtherwiseBug4593 Mar 07 '25

Oh wow I will check that out thanks!

3

u/nashile Mar 07 '25

If you can make your way to fife there is a grave of a woman on the shoreline near culross . She was accused of being a witch , died in prison after torture and was buried in the shoreline as the locals thought this would stop her coming back to haunt them .

1

u/OtherwiseBug4593 Mar 07 '25

Oh wow, probably going to be to far but thanks!

1

u/Forward-Ad-9841 Mar 07 '25

Paisley has a history with witch trials as well