In the mid-17th century, the small village of Carriden, nestled in the broader parish of Linlithgow, became the focal point of a disturbing episode in Scotland's fraught history with witchcraft. At the heart of this episode was Janet Robertsone, a local woman whose life was overtaken by the legal and social machinery of the witch trials. On the 7th of September, 1649, Janet’s case was officially recorded under the designation C/EGD/1636, marking the start of her journey through the convoluted and dangerous world of early modern Scottish justice.
The records pertaining to Janet’s trial, noted under T/LA/1976, indicate that a confession was indeed documented. This confession would have played a significant role in the proceedings, as such admissions were often seen as conclusive, albeit heavily coerced under duress or threat. The precise contents of Janet's confession are lost to history, but its existence underscores the grave predicament she faced. Confessions during this period often included admissions to witchcraft practices or alleging consort with malevolent spiritual forces, rendered by the accused in an environment charged with fear and external pressure. Janet's ordeal, encapsulated in these stark documents, reflects a time when fear and uncertainty permeated the societal fabric, with individuals like her caught in the ensuing turmoil.