Issobell Erskine, an individual of considerable social standing, found herself embroiled in the witch trials that swept through early modern Scotland. Hailing from Logie in Perth, Issobell occupied an uncommon position among those accused of witchcraft, given her upper-class status. Her father, a significant figure as the heir apparent of Logie, underscores the dramatic fall from grace that accusations of witchcraft could precipitate, affecting even those of noble lineage.
On the 22nd of June 1614, Issobell stood trial in Edinburgh. The trial records indicate that she faced charges alongside others, as her name was mentioned in multiple other proceedings, suggesting that the accusations against her may have been part of a broader web of alleged conspirators. Those named as her accomplices—Gilbert Campbell, Jonet Irving, George Kirk, and Johnne Kirk—further illustrate the interconnectedness that marked many witch trials, where confession under duress often expanded the circle of suspects. Regardless of the specifics of the testimonies against her, the court found Issobell guilty of engaging in witchcraft, leading to her sentence: execution by beheading.
Issobell was executed on the day of her conviction. The method of execution, beheading, was typically reserved for individuals of higher social status, reflecting her standing in society even at the trial's conclusion. Her case exemplifies the reach and impact of the witchcraft accusations of the time, bridging different strata of society and leaving a historical record palpable with the tensions and fears of an era marked by suspicion and persecution.