Margarit Robertson of Haddington found herself entangled in the fraught and perilous atmosphere of 17th-century Scotland—a time when accusations of witchcraft could easily lead to dire consequences. The records show that on the 25th of July, 1649, Margarit was implicated in a case brought forth by another woman named Margaret Veitch, also sometimes spelled as Vaith. Such accusations were often enough to initiate formal proceedings, as fear and suspicion of witchcraft ran high during this period, exacerbated by social tensions and religious fervor.
Records from Margarit's case, filed under C/EGD/1337, reveal scant details of her trial. However, a related confession was documented on the same date, suggesting that Margarit may have been coerced into admitting involvement in practices considered malevolent or contrary to the community's Christian values. The confession itself likely played a pivotal role in her trial, as confessions were powerful pieces of evidence within the legal framework of the time. They also often reflected the immense pressure exerted on individuals to confess acts of witchcraft, regardless of the veracity.
Ultimately, the trial records, categorized under T/JO/107 and T/LA/1024, do not disclose the specific allegations brought against her or the final verdict of her trial. These gaps in the historical record leave modern scholars with unanswered questions about Margarit's life and the outcome of the accusations. As with many similar cases from this era, the paucity of detailed accounts underscores the challenges faced by historians in reconstructing the full narratives of individuals like Margarit Robertson, whose names survive only in fragmented records of a tumultuous chapter in Scottish history.