In 1662, Margaret Duff, a resident of Inverness, found herself ensnared in the grim web of the Scottish witch trials that swept across the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. As noted in the case records (C/EGD/1886), Margaret's ordeal occurred against a backdrop of heightened anxiety and fear, where accusations of witchcraft often arose from personal vendettas or inexplicable misfortunes within the tight-knit communities of Scotland. While the specific charges and proceedings against Margaret are not detailed in the surviving record, her name surfaces in connection with these tumultuous times, marking her as one of many who were caught in the pervasive fear of witchcraft.
Though the precise circumstances and outcome of Margaret's case remain unclear, the very fact of her accusation sheds light on the prevailing beliefs and societal dynamics of 17th-century Inverness. Accusations like those Margaret faced often stemmed from deep-rooted cultural narratives and superstitions that saw women, particularly those marginalized or exhibiting non-conformist behavior, as susceptible to the influence of dark forces. The historical silences that envelop much of her story are not uncommon, as many records from this period have been lost or remain incomplete, leaving researchers and historians to piece together narratives from the fragments that survive. Margaret Duff’s story, though faint in the historical record, contributes to our understanding of the climate of suspicion and intolerance that defined this era of Scottish history.