In the autumn of 1629, Margaret Small found herself entangled in the harrowing tide of witchcraft accusations that had begun to crest across Scotland. A resident of Penicuik, a village near Edinburgh, Margaret's name appears in the historical record with sparse details, yet what remains is significant—it was a time when fear and superstition often eclipsed justice. Her case, documented as "C/EGD/1129," includes her alongside two other unnamed individuals, suggesting a potential collective accusation or examination, reflecting the common practice of linking supposed conspirators in acts of witchcraft.
Margaret's trial took place within the jurisdiction of Edinburgh, recorded under "T/JO/323" in the year 1629. Unfortunately, the extant records provide no further insights into the trial's proceedings or its outcome. What little we know underscores the pervasive climate of fear and the growing fervour for witch trials during this period. The lack of information about the allegations, her defence, or the verdict highlights the often undocumented personal tragedies that marked these events. Margaret Small's story, like many others, is buried in the fragments of history, representing one of many whose lives were overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of witchcraft during that era.