Marie Stewart, a resident of Kilbride on the Isle of Bute, featured prominently in the records of the Scottish witch trials in the 17th century. Her case, documented under the case number C/EGD/1537, highlights the perilous circumstances faced by those accused of witchcraft during this tumultuous period. On January 28, 1662, Marie's name appeared in official records, a testament to the scrutiny and suspicion pervasive in early modern Scotland.
The Bute region was not immune to the widespread fear and superstition that gripped Scotland during these years. Marie's trial, recorded under T/JO/1906, reflects the legal proceedings pursued against alleged witches, where evidentiary processes operated under societal biases and anxieties of the time. Her trial underscores the precarious position of women within these communities, where one's social standing could be suddenly altered by an accusation. The documentation of Marie Stewart's experience provides a crucial glimpse into the intricate web of power, fear, and societal norms that governed witchcraft trials across Scotland during this era.