Alexander Drummond, a man of 75 years from Auchterarder in Perth, found himself at the epicenter of a witchcraft accusation in 1629 — a period when Scotland was rife with such trials. Known as an 'indweller', Drummond was a resident of middling status, who had cultivated a reputation over the preceding five decades. However, a shadow was cast over his longstanding character when he was first denounced as a rebel by authorities in Perth in May 1624. An exhaustive investigation followed, beginning with inquiries by ministers at Dunfermline and extending to the difficult-to-impress Presbytery of Auchterarder at Muthill. Despite these intense scrutiny sessions, Drummond's resolute demeanor and local support system remained unscathed, prompting his transportation to Edinburgh where he would face trial under more dire circumstances.
His trial in Edinburgh culminated in a verdict of guilty on July 3, 1629. Notable records hint at the multifaceted nature of his previous professions and suggest a talent in performing 'wondrous cures'. Nevertheless, Drummond's confessions were recorded over several months at the Tolbooth, beginning in October 1628, continuing intermittently into January 1629. The consistent documentation of his confessions indicates a prolonged interrogation process. Despite these undertakings, local supporters launched a posthumous campaign to exonerate him, underscoring his status as 'ane notable Christian'. Alexander Drummond’s sentence was execution by strangulation and subsequent burning, which was carried out at the Mercat Trone in Edinburgh on July 11, 1629, sealing his fate and marking another somber chapter in the history of Scottish witch trials.