In the early years of the 18th century, the village of Killearnan in Ross-shire was the stage for a notable witch trial featuring Agnes Desk, a resident of Kilraine. Agnes's case, catalogued in the historical records under the distinct identifier C/EGD/1795, was one of the many instances where individuals, often at the margins of their communities, were embroiled in the swirling fears and accusations of witchcraft that defined the era. The exact reasons for her accusation are not detailed in the surviving documents, reflecting a common lack of comprehensive records from this tumultuous time, yet what is clear is the seriousness with which such accusations were treated.
Proceedings against Agnes concluded on January 2, 1700, as noted in the trial record T/LA/1802. Although the details are sparse, with only a hint indicating a conviction, it showcases the severity and the often predetermined outcomes faced by those accused of witchcraft. The brief notation, "Result given 2/1/1700, I think she was convicted," suggests that Agnes, like many others, may have experienced the harsh realities of a legal system heavily influenced by fear, superstition, and community pressures. This period marked the tail end of Scotland's well-documented witch trials, and the records of individuals like Agnes provide a poignant snapshot into the lives affected by events that continue to intrigue and educate modern scholars.