Issobell More McKaw, a resident of Kingarth in Bute, found herself enmeshed in the turbulent atmosphere of 17th-century Scotland, a period notorious for its fervent witch trials. The records indicate her involvement in multiple trials, each marking a significant phase in her life. The first recorded mention of Issobell is her initial confession on June 24, 1649. While the details of this confession have not been preserved, the very existence of such a document suggests that she endured the intense scrutiny and pressures associated with the witch hunts of the time.
Issobell's trials spanned over a decade, marked notably by the trials recorded under references T/JO/1637, T/JO/1913, and T/JO/1914. Each trial brought additional layers of accusation and defense, yet the historical records do not capture the details of these proceedings. These persistent trials underscored the precarious circumstances for women like Issobell, who lived under constant suspicion and the threat of denunciation by her peers. Indeed, several individuals—Amy Hindman, Alester McNiven, Mary Frissell, and Jonet NcIntyre—are recorded as having denounced her, indicating a network of social tensions and accusations.
The conclusive turn in Issobell's ordeal appears with her confession on March 26, 1662. Moreover, her involvement in the judicial system is indicated by the case name McKaw, Issobell More associated with the date, implying that this was a significant moment, perhaps marking a resolution or escalation in her trials. From these fragments, Issobell emerges as a figure enshrouded in the uncertainty of her era, portrayed through the sporadic lens of legal documentation that attests to the enduring struggle of those entangled in Scotland's witch trials.