In the year 1613, Robert Erskine, an individual of notable standing from Logie, Perth, was brought before the courts under grave accusations that culminated in one of the more severe penalties of the era—execution. Erskine's trial, held on December 1 of that year, concluded with a verdict of guilty, not predominantly for the charge of witchcraft that often captured public and legal attention at the time, but for poisoning. Despite these charges, the trial specifics were not conducted in the High Court, signaling an atypical judicial process for someone of his upper socioeconomic status. The Lord Advocate himself was responsible for the prosecution, reflecting the seriousness with which Erskine's case was treated.
Robert, known also as Johnne of Logy and heir apparent of Dun, found himself ensnared in larger webs of implication. During the proceedings, he was identified as an accomplice by several figures in other trials, including Johnne and George Kirk, Gilbert Campbell, and Jonet Irving. Though records are sparse concerning the roles of these individuals, their mention illustrates the interconnected nature of accusations of witchcraft during the period, where social ties frequently compounded the allegations against an individual. Erskine's confession, taken in the same year of his trial, suggests an admission or awareness that, regardless of his protestations or the veracity of claims, resulted in his beheading at the Mercat Cross. This execution method, while reserved for notable figures, underscores the gravity with which his actions, or perceived actions, were viewed by contemporaries.