In late November of 1597, Gilbert Fidlar of Auchmacoy, Aberdeen, found himself at the centre of an unsettling episode emblematic of the turbulent period of Scottish witch trials. Recorded historical documents detail that on the 21st day of that month, Gilbert stood before a court in Aberdeen, accused of the felony of witchcraft. Despite the grave nature of the charges laid upon him, the jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty," sparing him from the grim fate that befell many others during these trials.
Gilbert's case is notably intertwined with the trial of Andro Man, another individual embroiled in the witchcraft allegations of the time. The records indicate that Andro Man had denounced Gilbert during his own trial, a common occurrence in witchcraft prosecutions where accused individuals might name others, either under duress or as a bargaining tool for leniency. Despite the implications of Andro's statement, Gilbert's fortunes differ from those many faced, as the court found insufficient evidence to convict him, resulting in his acquittal.
Gilbert Fidlar's trial sheds light on the precarious nature of life during the era of witch trials in Scotland. While many succumbed to the fear-stoked environment and were found guilty, records such as these illustrate that not every accusation concluded with a conviction. Gilbert returned to Auchmacoy, a community no doubt still tangled in the societal tremors left by the witch trials, a poignant reminder of the era's fraught legal and communal landscapes.