In the parish of Coldingham, Berwickshire, a woman named Marion Sandersoun found herself ensnared in the witch trials that plagued early 17th-century Scotland. On the 24th of November, 1629, Marion appeared before authorities, accused of witchcraft—a charge that, during this period, cast a long and ominous shadow over many communities. Coldingham, a coastal village nestled amidst rolling hills, was no stranger to the socio-religious anxieties of the times, with a populace keen on identifying and purging perceived malevolent forces. Marion’s case, officially recorded as C/EGD/1157, became another link in the chain of infamous witch trials that swept through Scotland from 1563 to 1736.
The documentation of Marion’s trial, indexed as T/LA/658, places her within the tumultuous context of Scottish witch hunts, where accusations could stem from episodes as simple as disagreements between neighbors or unexplained misfortunes. These cases were often influenced by societal tensions, such as economic hardship, personal vendettas, or even the broader religious conflicts of the era. While the records do not detail the specific allegations or evidence presented against Marion, they reflect the broader climate of fear and suspicion that informed the judicial processes of the time. Through these records, Marion Sandersoun's trial serves not only as a testament to her personal ordeal but also as a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in Scotland's history, where the boundaries between superstition and justice were frequently and tragically blurred.