In the year 1660, Margaret Keltie of Crook of Devon, Perth, found herself ensnared in the turbulent and perilous witch trials that swept across Scotland in the early modern period. Her case is recorded under the designation C/EGD/1365, though details from the primary sources remain sparse, with researchers relying on secondary references to piece together the events surrounding her accusation. Situated in a region known for its heightened witch-hunting activity, Margaret's predicament would have unfolded against a backdrop of suspicion and fear pervasive in 17th-century Scotland.
Residing in Crook of Devon, a community that had already witnessed various trials, Margaret was part of a society where accusations of witchcraft could arise from longstanding local tensions or inexplicable misfortunes. The specific allegations levied against her are not detailed in the surviving records, making it challenging to ascertain the nature of the claims or how the legal proceedings were conducted. However, Margaret’s inclusion in the documented cases highlights the widespread and often arbitrary nature of such accusations, where mere suspicion could be sufficient to endanger one's livelihood and life.
While the absence of comprehensive documentation on procedures or outcomes limits our understanding, the fact that Margaret Keltie's case was preserved indicates that she was among those caught in the sweeping and methodical efforts to root out witchcraft, a priority for both local authorities and communities of the time. Her story is emblematic of the many individuals whose fates were sealed not by evidence, but by the insidious forces of fear and societal tension prevailing in Scotland during this era. Through Margaret’s case, we glimpse the larger tapestry of witch trials that indelibly marked Scottish history during its most fervent periods of witch persecution.