Bessie Weir, a married woman from the village of Polloktoun near Paisley, Renfrew, faced accusations of witchcraft in the latter part of the 17th century, a period fraught with fear and superstition over alleged dark arts in Scotland. According to historical records, Bessie was charged with maleficium, or the practice of harmful magic, as well as attending a witches' meeting. These allegations propelled her into the perilous spotlight of the witch trials, a brutal and often final chapter for many of the accused during this era.
On February 14th, 1677, Bessie's trial was convened in Renfrew, held under the scrutiny of a local court authorized by the Privy Council to conduct her trial. This suggests that her case drew significant attention, warranting representation from Edinburgh officials, indicative of the seriousness with which such proceedings were regarded at the time. The circuit court minute books memorialize her trial, providing a stark record of the judicial process she underwent. Ultimately, Bessie was found guilty of the charges brought against her.
Her sentencing was swift and severe: execution. Bessie's fate was sealed, and on February 20th, 1677, she was executed at Gallow Green, a common site for such acts of capital punishment. The records note that she was both strangled and burned, a grim method intended not only to punish but also to serve as a powerful deterrent to others. Bessie Weir's story, preserved in the annals of court records, stands as a poignant reminder of the perilous association between fear, superstition, and justice in early modern Scotland.