Margaret Cumyngham, a widow residing in the village of Dunlop in Ayrshire, stands recorded in the annals of history as one of several individuals entangled in the witch trials that swept through Scotland between the 16th and early 18th centuries. The specifics of her predicament first appear in records dating to April 1658. During this period, Margaret was summoned to appear at the Ayr Court amidst a wave of accusations that gripped the region, commonly referred to at times as the 'Dunlop witches'. The terse court records label her as "not to be found," suggesting she had become a fugitive, either unable or unwilling to appear before the authorities.
The court proceedings, dated April 6, 1658, indicate that Margaret was part of a larger group of individuals listed on the porteous rolls of that year. These lists were essentially formal summonses commanding the presence of the accused for their trials. Despite the gravity of the charges and the legal machinations set to unfold, Margaret does not appear in person in these records; she is conspicuously absent, marked as a fugitive, a status that speaks to her resistance or a possible flight from persecution. This absence adds a tantalising layer of mystery to her story, as it prevents us from knowing the full circumstances surrounding her case or its eventual outcome. Her historical footprint, though faint, remains as a testament to the tumultuous era of witch trials in Scotland.