In the late 17th century, Marjory Craig, a resident of Pollok in Eastwood, Renfrew, found herself embroiled in the dark and tumultuous period of the Scottish witch trials. Marjory's story is particularly notable as it unfolds against the backdrop of her alleged flight from Ireland amidst accusations of witchcraft. Historical records suggest Marjory may have once been married, though she was separated from her husband, and that she had a son residing in Ireland. This fragment of her life's narrative hints at both the personal upheavals she faced and the interconnectedness of communities across regions during this era.
The charge levied against Marjory was one of maleficium—allegedly using harmful magic—coupled with accusations of attending a witches' meeting, a serious offense in the fervent climate of the witch hunts. On the 14th of February, 1677, she was brought to trial in Renfrew. The swift progression from trial to execution, completed in the space of a mere six days, underscores the severity with which such cases were dealt. The verdict was guilty, and the sentence was death, marking Marjory's fate to be one of the many executed for witchcraft in Scotland during this period.
On the 20th of February, 1677, Marjory Craig's life was brought to an end at Gallow Green, where she was both strangled and burned, a method typical of the era's grim punishments for those declared witches. This tragic event closes the chapter on Marjory's life, while also illustrating the harsh realities faced by many who lived during a time when fear and superstition often eclipsed reason and compassion. Her story, preserved in historical records, serves as a poignant reminder of this turbulent period in Scottish history.