In June of 1699, Mary Nicinnarich of Fortrose, a small town in Ross, found herself at the centre of a witchcraft trial in Edinburgh. The charge against her was not uncommon for the era: alleged witchcraft resulting in damage to property, specifically animals. During this period, accusations of witchcraft were often linked to unexplained misfortunes or calamities, particularly those affecting livestock, which were vital to the livelihoods of many Scottish communities.
Living in Fortrose, a town likely deeply embedded in agricultural practices, Mary would have been part of a community closely tied to its animals for sustenance and economic stability. The loss or ailment of livestock could provoke significant distress and suspicion, fueling accusations such as those faced by Mary. The historical record from Case C/EGD/2477 likely shows that such incidents of animal harm were attributed to her supposed malevolent influence, a narrative familiar in the witchcraft trials across Scotland.
Mary's trial took place in Edinburgh, as recorded in Trial T/LA/2233. This journey from Fortrose to the capital represented a significant upheaval, both physically and emotionally. Within the courts of Edinburgh, Mary would have contended with a justice system characterized by the intense scrutiny and fear of witchcraft prevalent at the close of the 17th century. Such trials had profound consequences not only for the accused but also for their families and communities, who faced stigmatization and the conflation of tragedy with supernatural intervention.