In the mid-17th century, Gilbert Robisone found himself embroiled in the turbulent witch trials that swept through Scotland. Residing in the parish of Drumelzier, located in Peebles, Gilbert's case came to prominence in the year 1644. What is known from the scant records is that there was some initial confusion regarding his identity, as another Robisone was noted in Culter, falling under the Lanark presbytery. However, due to the involvement of ministers from both the Biggar and Peebles presbyteries, it is likely that these records indeed pertain to the same Gilbert Robisone.
The witch trial proceedings against Gilbert began with a local investigation by the presbytery in 1643. Witnesses, including a minister, provided statements regarding the accusations, though the specifics of these charges remain undisclosed in the surviving documents. Despite this intense scrutiny, Gilbert did not present himself before the presbytery committee, which may have amplified the presumption of his guilt in the eyes of the community. This absence marked a pivotal moment in his trial, and the presbytery planned a formal judicial session for early 1644 in Peebles.
The records culminate on February 29, 1644, where it is noted that Gilbert stood firm in his defense, unequivocally denying all charges pertaining to witchcraft leveled against him. This brief mention leaves much about the trial's outcome and Gilbert's fate to history's obscurity. However, his story illustrates the broader patterns of the Scottish witch trials, where accused individuals often faced considerable personal and societal pressures, with their ultimate fates frequently lost to the passage of time.