Agnes Naismith, a woman of middling socioeconomic status residing in Erskine, Renfrew, became one of the notable figures in the infamous Renfrewshire witch trials of 1697. Her case was part of a wider series of prosecutions in which over twenty-eight individuals were implicated, though only seven, including Agnes, faced trial. The charges against her revolved notably around participating in witches' meetings, a grave accusation that aligned with the era’s fervent fear of witchcraft and the supernatural.
The trial of Agnes Naismith commenced on April 13, 1697, and continued over the better part of a month, concluding on May 19. The proceedings took place in Renfrew and are noted for their intensity and the sweeping climate of suspicion during this period. Prominent testimony against Agnes came from two other women, Janet Waugh and Issobell Lachlane, who identified her as an accomplice in their alleged acts of witchcraft. Whether due to the weight of these testimonies or the broader societal pressures, the verdict was returned as guilty.
On June 10, 1697, Agnes faced the dire consequences of her conviction at Gallow Green. She was executed by strangulation, followed by burning, a common execution method for those condemned as witches in Scotland during this time. Her case serves as a poignant reminder of the fear-driven justice that characterized the Scottish witch trials, where societal anxieties often outweighed concrete evidence and led to the tragic fate of many accused individuals.