In the early decades of the 17th century, a peculiar and troubling chapter unfolded in the life of Johnne Colquhoun, a laird of Luse, Dunbarton. Johnne's status afforded him respect and influence within Scottish society. Married to Lady Lillias Graham, the eldest daughter of John Earl of Montrose, his position was enhanced by this prestigious connection. However, in 1633, Johnne became embroiled in a case of scandal that would overshadow his social standing and lead to his dramatic fall from grace.
The accusations against Colquhoun were rooted in what historical documentation describes as a "strange conspiracy" involving his sister-in-law, whom he was fostering. It was alleged that efforts were made to compel her into a relationship with him, an act that purportedly involved the use of love magic—a common charge linked to witchcraft beliefs of the period. Rather than facing these grave allegations in Edinburgh's judicial arena, Colquhoun fled with the young woman to London, evading the clutches of Scottish justice. This flight from Scotland shielded her from persecution often faced by those entangled in witchcraft accusations, though it undeniably left a cloud over Johnne's reputation.
Deemed an outlaw, Colquhoun failed to appear for his scheduled trial, resulting in the severe pronouncement of being "put to the horn." This legal declaration effectively rendered him beyond the protection of law, stripping away his properties as his assets were escheated. While Johnne's whereabouts after fleeing remain undocumented, his absence amplified the scandal, casting a long shadow over the household of Luse and marking a tumultuous juncture in Scottish legal history regarding accusations of witchcraft.