In January of 1659, the town of Linlithgow became the setting for a case that would draw attention not only locally but also resonate within the broader tapestry of Scottish witch trial history. The focus of this attention was a man named John Wauch, whose residence in Linlithgow made him a local figure familiar to many. As a male accused of witchcraft during this period, John's case stands out among the predominantly female narratives that populate the witch trials of 1563 to 1736. This distinction might have influenced both the perception and proceedings of his trial.
Though details of John's trial are scarce, it is preserved under the designation of case number C/EGD/1879. The records provide a glimpse into the charged atmosphere of his time, marked by heightened suspicion and fear of witchcraft across Scotland. The mere accusation would have been sufficient to disrupt John's life, placing him under intense scrutiny from his community and legal authorities. Notably, the case records reveal that an external source, referenced by Larner, has not been checked in subsequent research, suggesting there may be additional facets to John's story that remain unexamined or hidden in secondary sources.
The outcome of John's trial remains unspecified within the available records, leaving a notable gap in the narrative of his life and the impact of the accusation on him personally and socially. What is clear, however, is that John's story is part of a larger historical context where witchcraft accusations could unravel lives, sowing discord within communities. His case contributes to our understanding of the complexities and varied experiences of those entangled in the witch trials of early modern Scotland.