In the mid-17th century, amidst the turbulent and superstitious landscape of early modern Scotland, Jonet Reid found herself at the center of a witchcraft trial in Orkney. Historical records from this period provide a glimpse into the difficult experiences faced by individuals accused of witchcraft. Jonet, who resided in the remote Orkney Islands and was noted to have a daughter, became entangled in a witchcraft trial that would ultimately lead to her execution.
The first documented step in Jonet's tragic journey occurred in May 1643, when depositions against her were recorded at the Kirk of Sandwick. The accusations brought forth suggested that Jonet was involved in acts of "charming," a term often used to describe activities thought to employ supernatural means to influence events. Additional claims of witchcraft were linked to damage to property, specifically relating to local dairy goods, which were critical to the community's sustenance and economy. Such claims were typical in a society where unexplained ailments of livestock or poor agricultural yields could quickly inspire suspicion and fear, leading to the scapegoating of individuals, often women, on charges of witchcraft.
Following the denunciations, Jonet faced a trial on the 12th of July in 1643, likely held at a local, rudimentary court venue in Orkney. Despite the lack of clarity on the exact nature or evidence of her alleged crimes, the verdict was guilty, a common outcome during the height of the Scottish witch trials. Despite being found guilty only of charming—a lesser charge compared to more serious allegations such as consorting with malevolent spirits—the severity of the punishment was not mitigated. Jonet Reid was sentenced to be executed and, on the 22nd of July, was subjected to the harsh execution method of being strangled and then burned, a fate that awaited many accused in that era. This brutal conclusion highlights the intense fear and the far-reaching consequences of the witch panic that gripped parts of Scotland during this period.