In the early months of 1630, the town of Haddington found itself gripped by the unsettling case of Katherine Kirktoun, a local woman tangled in the web of accusations surrounding witchcraft. Labeled by Alexander Hamilton as a "known witch," Katherine's involvement in this dark chapter of Scottish history began with her denunciation recorded on December 4, 1629. Her case reached its peak on a summer day, July 2, 1630, when the presbytery records indicated she was imprisoned in the tolbooth of Haddington, pending trial by assize—a legal process akin to a jury trial at the time.
On the day of her trial, the local clergy, referred to as the "brethren," were ordered to attend the proceedings. Katherine's case, marked as number C/EGD/1143, unfolded in an era when accusations often led to dire consequences. Though historical records from this period often remain sparse, and cases like Katherine's are frequently noted only briefly, these notes in presbytery records serve as solemn reminders of the societal fears and legal systems at play during the witch trials of 16th- and 17th-century Scotland.
Central to Katherine's ordeal was the testimony of Alexander Hamilton, who, himself accused and known as a warlock, named her amongst those engaged in witchcraft. Mentions in other trials suggest a narrative where accused individuals often named others, fueling a cycle of accusation that pervaded communities. While the specifics of her alleged crimes are not detailed, Katherine Kirktoun's case remains an evocative example of how fear and suspicion could disrupt lives during this tumultuous historical period.