In 1629, Katharine Oswald, a 37-year-old resident of Nydrie Mylne, in the parish of Liberton near Edinburgh, found herself ensnared in the complex web of witchcraft accusations that were spreading through Scotland. As the wife of a miller, Katharine lived a relatively stable life of middling socioeconomic status, though she was subject to a reputation that had followed her for approximately 25 years, as suggested by the records. Accusations against her included charges of maleficium, or harmful magic, and participating in witches' meetings—serious allegations that struck at the very heart of social and religious order at the time.
Katharine's legal ordeal was fraught with delays and bureaucratic complications. She was initially arrested in Nidrie but, due to the absence of a tolbooth—a local jail—she was detained in Edinburgh for eight arduous weeks without any movement in her case. Her husband, voicing his frustrations, managed to prompt a scheduling of the trial on 22 September 1629. However, the trial itself did not commence until 11 November 1629, when the sheriff and bailies of Edinburgh, who were the appointed judges, required assistance from four assessors to manage the complexity of the proceedings.
During the trial, Katharine was linked to several other notable figures associated with witchcraft within the region. She was mentioned in other cases as an accomplice by Alexander Hammiltoun, and as part of a network of so-called known witches, such as Elizabeth Steven and Isobell Young. Moreover, she stood accused of causing property damage, affecting crops, malt, animals, and buildings throughout her community, which may have stirred fear and prejudice contributing to her conviction. Despite the lack of direct evidence commonly seen today, the trial concluded with a guilty verdict. Two days later, on 13 November 1629, Katharine faced execution by strangulation and posthumous burning at Castle Hill, a grim echo of the fears and societal tensions embedded within the witchcraft trials of the period.