In the late 16th century amidst the backdrop of Scotland's tumultuous witch trials, Meriorie Mutche of Corstane found herself at the heart of an unsettling accusation. At 35 years old and married to a man known as William Ross, Meriorie's life took a dramatic turn when she faced charges of witchcraft in Aberdeen on November 21, 1597. Despite an accusation rooted in events dating back a decade earlier, the formal charges against her were notably severe, suggesting she was culpable for damage to agricultural property and livestock – a plough, animals, and an entire estate were purported victims of her alleged malevolent influence.
The trial records from Aberdeen tell us that after Meriorie faced the court, the verdict rendered was "Not Guilty." Each item on the allegations, cataloged meticulously on the "dittay" or list of charges, was marked with the term "clengis," signifying her exoneration. The details hint at an outcome where she was likely released, though the record does not specify her immediate circumstances post-trial. For Meriorie Mutche, this trial and its accompanying societal scrutiny were but chapters in the broader context of a period steeped in fear and superstition regarding witchcraft. Her acquittal stands as a testament to the complexities of justice in that era, where narratives of guilt could be dispelled against the prevailing tide of suspicion.