In the midst of the tumultuous atmosphere of 17th-century Scotland, Mauld Gauld's existence was forever altered when she found herself ensnared in the webs of witchcraft accusations. Residing in Briggait, Paisley, within the county of Renfrew, Mauld's middle-class status was defined by her marriage to a wright, a man skilled in the craft of carpentry and joinery. Her life, which had been relatively stable, began to unravel one autumn day in 1649, when the first depositions were recorded at Kilbarchane, marking the beginning of an ordeal that would be documented as Case C/EGD/1339.
The formal accusations against Mauld Gauld unfolded over several months, reflecting a growing suspicion and fervor amongst her community's religious authorities. Initial denunciations were issued on the 27th of August by the local kirk session, laying the groundwork for subsequent charges. A mere month later, on September 14th, a visiting minister allied with the kirk session intensified the scrutiny, further fueling the process. By the 15th of October, the presbytery of Glasgow had also pronounced a denunciation against her. The records emphasize the church's pivotal role in instigating and escalating the accusations, highlighting the powerful influence of religious institutions during this period.
Amidst these denunciations, it was alleged that Mauld was responsible for property damage, specifically related to ale, an essential commodity in 17th-century Scottish society. These claims, although seemingly mundane, carried significant weight in a societal framework where the destruction of goods could be perceived as a manifestation of malevolent forces at work. Thus, through the lens of religious and communal suspicion, Mauld Gauld's life became entangled with notions of witchcraft, subject to the prevailing fears and judicial processes of her time.