In 1697, Margaret Lang, a married woman from Renfrew, found herself ensnared in one of the most notorious episodes of the Scottish witch trials — the Renfrewshire witch hunt. This particular wave of accusations swept through the community, leading to the arrest and trial of over twenty-eight individuals. Margaret’s case stood out among them, as she was one of only seven to be formally tried. Her prosecution highlighted the climate of fear and suspicion that had gripped Renfrew, and indeed much of Scotland at the time. The records state that Margaret was accused of participating in a witches' meeting, a severe charge that suggested involvement in a clandestine gathering purportedly linked to nefarious supernatural activities.
Margaret's trial began on April 13th, 1697, but the proceedings were protracted, continuing until May 19th. During this period, the weight of the accusations bore down heavily, resulting in a guilty verdict. The judgement passed was execution, a common sentencing for those convicted of witchcraft during this era. On June 10th, 1697, Margaret Lang met her fate at Gallow Green, where she was both strangled and burned — a grim testament to the period’s harsh penal practices for crimes of this nature. Notably, this tragic event also encompassed the trial of her daughter, underlining the familial implications often inherent in such accusations. Margaret's story is a poignant reminder of the volatile mix of fear, rumor, and retribution that characterized the Scottish witch trials during the late 17th century.