Bessie Wodsyde, a resident of Kirktown in Kilbride, Ayr, found herself entangled in the web of Scotland's witch trials not once, but twice over the span of two decades. Her name first surfaced in 1658 when she was listed on a Porteous Roll, a record typically used to summon individuals for trial. Although the particulars of the accusations against Bessie remain undocumented, the fact that she appeared on these lists indicates that she was under serious suspicion of witchcraft—a crime that, at the time, could lead to severe consequences.
Bessie's ordeal did not end in 1658. Records show that she was again implicated in the witch trials of 1679. During this second encounter with the judicial system, Bessie was identified once more in a circumstance reflective of her earlier experience; her name appeared on a list of fugitives under caution to present themselves before the circuit court. Despite the gravity of the situation, the historical record notes that Bessie was released on caution, suggesting she might have had some local support or was able to produce a guarantor to vouch for her appearance in court.
Her story is a testament to the precarious and often perilous position in which many women, and some men, found themselves during this turbulent period of Scottish history. Bessie’s repeated encounters with the law highlight the enduring atmosphere of suspicion and fear that characterized the era of the witch hunts in Scotland. The lack of comprehensive records leaves Bessie Wodsyde’s ultimate fate shrouded in mystery, yet her inclusion in these extraordinary judicial proceedings conveys the gravity of being associated with witchcraft during that time.