Katherine Cragie, a resident of Orkney, found herself ensnared in the fraught web of Scotland's witch trials in the mid-17th century. Historical records provide a glimpse into her turbulent encounters with the legal system, beginning with her first trial on 17th June 1640. During this initial trial, Katherine faced prosecution under the eye of the local procurator fiscal. Although she was found guilty on three charges, the judge eventually absolved her, resulting in a verdict of not guilty. It seems she was not sentenced further at that time, likely being set free since a second trial followed three years later, suggesting that initial fears of her witchcraft were sufficiently quelled or procedurally unresolved.
The reprieve was temporary. In 1643, Katherine was summoned again to face trial for witchcraft, a reflection of the era’s persistent anxieties and the precarious position of those accused. This time, on the 11th of July, the verdict did not favor her—she was found guilty. Unlike her previous trial, the outcome here was severe: Katherine was sentenced to execution. The records indicate she was to be strangled and then burned, a common method of execution for those convicted of witchcraft in Scotland during this period. Katherine's fate was sealed and executed on the 22nd of July, 1643, just days after her conviction. Her trial was underscored by the testimonies of individuals, some reportedly her relatives, and mentions in other contemporary trials, which may have influenced the proceedings and shaped the dire outcome.