In the winter of 1643, Agnes Grant, a resident of St. Giles parish in Elgin, found herself at the center of grave accusations that would alter the course of her life dramatically. The scant historical records reveal that Agnes was tried in Moray on charges of witchcraft—a serious allegation during a period when the fear of witchcraft permeated society. Despite the absence of extensive trial documentation, we know that the court found Agnes guilty of the charges against her.
On January 31st, 1643, the findings of Agnes's trial were communicated to the Privy Council, a regulatory body that played a significant role in adjudicating legal and civil matters in Scotland at the time. The report of her case was succinct, merely noting the "processe of a witche in Murray to be advysit." This implies that further deliberation by the Privy Council was necessary to determine the final sentencing, although the historical record does not reveal the recommendations or the ultimate fate that befell her. Nevertheless, Agnes's designation as a "witche in Murray" would have marked her indelibly in her community, reflecting the broader societal tensions and fears that characterized this dark chapter in Scotland's history of witch trials.