Margaret Kinard, a resident of the small rural community of Glendevon in Perth, emerges from the historical records as an individual caught up in the complex and perilous web of 17th-century Scottish witch trials. Her name is specifically noted in connection with a trial that took place on October 10, 1649, documented under the case reference C/EGD/175. Margaret's life before this notorious accusation remains largely unrecorded, typical for many accused of witchcraft during this period, especially women from rural backgrounds.
Historical records indicate that Margaret became a fugitive, a term used to describe those who evaded capture or prosecution at that time. The entry marking her as such in 1649 suggests that she either escaped detention or preemptively fled her home to avoid the escalating threat of trial and punishment. Like many who found themselves enmeshed in these witch hunts, the pressure and fear of the dire consequences likely propelled her to take such drastic action. This fleeting glimpse into Margaret's life offers us a poignant reminder of the fear that pervaded Scottish society during the witch trials, where suspicion alone could unravel lives and lead otherwise unheard-of individuals to desperate measures.
The documents, including trial record T/LA/36, do not reveal further details about Margaret's ultimate fate or the specific accusations she faced. However, her designation as a fugitive highlights the broader context of this historical period—characterized by widespread witchcraft panics and a judicial system that often left those accused with little hope for a fair outcome. The fact that her story, like so many others, concludes in obscurity, underscores the anonymity and desperation faced by those caught in the simmering fear and superstition of early modern Scotland.