Alexander Drummond, a seasoned resident of Auchterarder, Perth, found himself embroiled in the witchcraft trials that swept across Scotland during the early modern period. At the age of 75, Drummond was accused and ultimately convicted of practicing witchcraft—a charge that, in the context of the time, carried severe repercussions. Known within his community as a man with over half a century's repute, Alexander was deeply embedded in the fabric of local life as an ‘indweller’. His longstanding presence, however, could not save him from the suspicions that landed upon him.
The initial accusations against Alexander arose in May 1624, when he was denounced as a rebel in Perth. Further scrutiny came from religious authorities at Dunfermline, who conducted an inquiry later that month. Despite exhaustive attempts by the Presbytery of Auchterarder to implicate him, Alexander’s substantial local support network complicated matters. His taxi to Edinburgh for trial underscores the persistent zealousness of his accusers. In Edinburgh, the records indicate multiple confessions from October 1628 to January 1629, a period marked by extreme pressure on accused individuals to admit guilt through various methods of coercion.
Upon arrival in Edinburgh, Alexander faced trial in July 1629, where despite local support and his advanced years, he was found guilty. The sentence of execution was carried out swiftly on July 11, 1629, at Mercat Trone, where he was strangled and burned. His trial and execution left a lasting impact, as evidenced by a posthumous campaign to restore his reputation. Advocates for Alexander's legacy sought to clear his name by portraying him as a commendable Christian who performed wondrous cures through lawful means—a testament to the complexities and sometimes tragic conclusions of the Scottish witch trials.