In the mid-17th century, across the rolling hills of Peebles, a man by the name of Gilbert Robisone found himself ensnared in the turbulent and often perilous world of witchcraft accusations that swept across Scotland. Residing in the parish of Drumelzier, Robisone came into the spotlight not as a remote possibility but as a tangible figure whose previous domiciles may have threaded more complex ties across the Culter and Lanark regions. The precise reasons for the accusation against Robisone are not detailed in the historical records we have; however, it is common in such cases for local rumors, personal vendettas, or unfortunate misunderstandings to have ignited the spark of suspicion that would lead a person to the courts.
In 1643, the presbytery—a church court within the ecclesiastical hierarchy—conducted a local inquiry into the allegations levied against Gilbert Robisone. This investigatory session saw various witnesses, including a minister, testify against him. Despite these proceedings, Gilbert did not present himself before the presbytery committee, a decision that, in the era's judicial context, often carried its own set of consequences, potentially heightening suspicion. Following this absence, mention of a formal trial is noted for January 1644, coupled with records indicating that proceedings might take place in Peebles the following Thursday.
By the end of February 1644, despite the abounding pressures often faced by those in such dire circumstances, Gilbert Robisone resolutely denied the charges against him. The trial's notes summarize this pivotal moment, yet they spare no detail about the nature or outcome of the accusations under Scottish witchcraft laws of the time. This record presents a snapshot of an individual caught within the mesh of historical and societal forces during a period when the fear of witchcraft could easily upend lives, regardless of one's steadfast assertions of innocence.