Mary McFinley Vic Comes was a resident of Inverness in the mid-17th century when she was caught up in the intense fervor of the Scottish witch trials. Her case file, dated to April 9, 1662, signifies the start of her ordeal under the shadow of witchcraft accusations. While detailed records of her trial itself are sparse and provide little insight into the specific accusations against her, the recitation of the tortures she endured paints a vivid picture of the severe treatment women accused of witchcraft faced during this turbulent period.
The documentation of Mary's torture reveals a litany of brutal techniques aimed at extracting confessions. Throughout June 1662, she suffered relentless sleep deprivation, a technique intended to break the spirit and induce vulnerability. Furthermore, she was subjected to the excruciating pain of having her feet burned. She was also hung by the thumbs, a form of suspension likely causing significant agony and lasting physical damage. Mary endured whipping and was bound tightly with ropes, further illustrating the extreme methods employed by her interrogators. These punitive measures reflect the desperation and intensity of the hunt for witches in Scotland during this era, and emphasize the harrowing experiences of those like Mary, who found themselves ensnared in its grip.