Mary Glass, a resident of Newton—likely in Wick parish, or perhaps in the broader region of Caithness—found herself embroiled in the notorious witch trials that marked Scotland's early modern period. The historical records, while sparse, capture the somber reality of the accusations she faced. On the first of February in the year 1700, her case was formally documented, signifying the serious nature of the proceedings against her.
According to the trial notes from the archival reference T/LA/1809, the result of Mary’s trial was recorded on the very date her case was initiated. Such prompt proceedings were not altogether unusual during this turbulent period, inferring a perhaps expedited process that many accused individuals experienced. While the specifics of the accusations or the outcome remain unstated in the surviving documents, Mary's entanglement in these events reflects the widespread societal fears and legal actions targeting supposed witches in Scotland between 1563 and 1736. Her experience serves as a poignant illustration of the era's intense and often tragic efforts to root out witchcraft as perceived by the communities and authorities of the time.