In the spring of 1649, Catherine Wilson, a resident of Carriden in Linlithgow, found herself at the heart of a witchcraft trial—an ordeal not uncommon in Scotland during this era of social turbulence and religious fervour. On May 11th, Catherine was brought before a local tribunal, marking the official commencement of her case, which has been documented under the case number C/EGD/1611.
The historical records indicate that a confession was procured from Catherine. During these times, confessions were often central to witchcraft trials, serving as key evidence against the accused. Unfortunately, the specific details of the confession are not preserved in the surviving documents, leaving us with no insight into the alleged witchcraft activities for which Catherine was forced to account. Nonetheless, the confession's mere existence suggests that Catherine endured pressures that led to her admission of guilt—circumstances that many accused witches faced, whether through persuasion, coercion, or fear of harsher punishments.
While the outcome of Catherine Wilson's trial is not detailed in the existing records, her case forms part of the broader tapestry of 17th-century Scottish witch trials. These trials echoed the societal anxieties of the time, often blending local disputes, gender roles, and the pervasive influence of religious doctrine into a harsh and unforgiving pursuit of supposed malefactors. Thus, while Catherine's personal narrative remains fragmentary, it serves as a solemn reminder of the challenging realities faced by many women during this grim chapter in Scottish history.