In the early 17th century, amidst the turbulent backdrop of Scotland's witch trials, Isobel Rutherfurde emerged as a significant yet tragic figure. Living in the town of Peebles without land of her own, Isobel was recorded as a vagabond—a status that likely left her vulnerable to suspicion and accusation. It was on the second day of March in the year 1629 when Isobel found herself at the center of a witchcraft trial, documented under case number C/EGD/1084.
The records of the trial, itemized as T/LA/672, do not provide the specifics of the accusations against her. However, as a landless woman during a time when itinerant lifestyles and poverty often bred disdain or fear, Isobel's societal position could have made her an easy target for allegations. Vagabonds were frequently marginalized, living on the fringes of society where superstitions thrived. Such individuals were often accused of witchcraft, scapegoated in communities eager to locate the sources of misfortune.
Isobel Rutherfurde's trial stands as a poignant reminder of the precarious existence faced by many during the witch hunts in Scotland. Her case encapsulates a period where fear and misunderstanding could precipitate grave repercussions for those whose social and economic status left them exposed to the brutalities of the time. While the outcome of her trial is not detailed in the available records, Isobel's story is emblematic of the broader societal dynamics that fueled the witch trials of 1563–1736.