In the mid-17th century, Sarah Ramage, a resident of Niddry, Liberton in Edinburgh, found herself embroiled in the perilous climate of witchcraft accusations that swept across Scotland. According to the historical records, Sarah's case arose on the 28th of June, 1661, during a period when fear of witchcraft had reached a fever pitch. Her trial is notably listed under two separate records, T/JO/1654 and T/JO/396, suggesting a complex legal process that was not uncommon in witchcraft trials of the era.
Sarah Ramage is explicitly mentioned in connection with another accused woman, Margaret Hart, who denounced her. This mention indicates the often interconnected nature of these accusations, possibly revealing the deep social networks and personal enmities at play within communities. To be denounced by another could mean that the scrutiny and fear surrounding one person could easily expand to include others, creating a web of suspicion and fear that could be difficult to escape.
The records of Sarah's trials do not delve into details about the accusations or their outcomes. However, the mere fact of her trial underscores the precarious position faced by many individuals, especially women, during this volatile period in Scottish history. This mention of Sarah Ramage within the context of multiple trials highlights the widespread and often communal nature of witchcraft accusations, which were as much a product of the social and cultural anxieties of the time as they were of the individuals involved.