Margaret Liddell, a resident of Lasswade near Edinburgh, found herself enmeshed in the witch trials that swept across Scotland during the early modern period. Her case is recorded in official proceedings dated October 9, 1678, under case identifier C/EGD/1766. These records, although meticulous in noting the administrative details, are regrettably sparse when it comes to narrating the specifics of the accusations or the fabric of community life that may have contributed to Margaret’s situation. Her trial is mentioned in one record denoted as T/JO/601, yet it frustratingly offers no specific notes that illuminate the nature of the charges brought against her, leaving modern historians with the task of piecing together her story with limited evidence.
A further trial record, listed as T/LA/1436, exists but similarly lacks detailed information about the progression or outcome of the trial itself. Despite the scant evidence, Margaret’s case forms part of the broader tapestry of the Scottish witch trials, a time when fear and suspicion often led to accusations that could devastate local communities. While the documents do not survive to illustrate the emotional and social context of Margaret's accusation, her presence in these records anchors her to a significant historical moment. We can surmise that her life, briefly captured within these legalistic confines, was deeply impacted by the fear-laden climate of 17th-century Scotland. The lack of comprehensive trial details leaves a poignant silence, reminding us of the many lives touched by these events whose stories remain untold.