In the spring of 1662, Donald McClean, a resident of Inverness, found himself caught in the widespread turmoil of the Scottish witch trials. The records, sparse as they are, mark the date of his case as the 9th of April, affirming his presence among the accused in an era when the fear of witchcraft hung heavily over the communities of Scotland. Despite the scant details available regarding his trial, his inclusion in the records underscores the breadth of the panic that seized early modern Scotland, an anxiety that reached even into the Highlands.
Donald’s place of residence, Inverness, was a bustling burgh at the time, which often found itself at the convergence of different cultural and religious currents. While the specifics of Donald's case are largely lost to history, his trial is noted under the reference "T/JO/985," a formal acknowledgment of the proceedings against him. The lack of detailed notes leaves us with unanswered questions about the nature of the accusations he faced and the societal dynamics at play. Yet, his plight contributes to the larger tapestry of the 17th-century witch hunts, reflecting the widespread and often indiscriminate nature of the accusations during this tumultuous period.