In the annals of Scotland’s witch trials, Alexander Hammiltoun emerges as a particularly enigmatic figure, one that eludes the stereotypical image of a witch. Accused of witchcraft in the early 17th century, his case stands out not least because of his gender, as accusations of witchcraft primarily targeted women during this period. Despite this, Hammiltoun, a very poor vagabond who led a nomadic lifestyle through the towns of Haddington, Niddry, Berwick, and beyond, found himself enmeshed in the dark web of accusations that characterised the witchcraft trials. Described as deserting his wife in search of fortunes in England and Holland, his lack of a stable community may have made him a convenient target for suspicion.
The charges against Alexander were grave: maleficium, or the use of harmful magic, and participation in witches’ meetings. His confessions, recorded multiple times in different locations such as the Tolbooth and Holyrood House, paint a picture of intense pressure, with his statements being later retracted—a common pattern observed in witch trials, where confessions were often obtained under duress. Moreover, the involvement of Sir George Home of Manderstone and references in royal registers indicate high-level interest in his case, suggesting that Alexander's trial was not an isolated event but part of a larger effort to root out supposed witchcraft in East Lothian.
Hammiltoun’s trial, held on January 22, 1630, in Edinburgh, concluded with a guilty verdict. The sentence was execution by strangling followed by burning, a grim fate that he met at Castle Hill. His trial was sprinkled with mentions from numerous accomplices and accomplices, weaving a complex tapestry of associations that perhaps fueled the suspicion against him. Despite the multitude of accusations, witnesses were scarcely needed due to his confessions, underscoring the severe consequences of the weight those confessions carried at the time. Alexander Hammiltoun's story is a stark reminder of the fragility of reputation in an era of fear and superstition, where accusations alone could seal one's fate.