Katherene Ross, a widow of noble standing from Ross, lived during the tumultuous era of the Scottish witch trials between 1563 and 1736. By virtue of her position, Katherene was perhaps more vulnerable to accusations that would leverage familial ties and social upheaval. Despite her noble birth, she found herself embroiled in the web of suspicions that pervaded the late 16th-century Scottish society. The accusations against her, though ultimately unproven, led to a dramatic period of evasion and defense.
Her legal troubles began in 1589, when she was tried for witchcraft in Edinburgh. The trial, however, concluded with a 'Not Proven' verdict, primarily because the prosecution's witnesses failed to appear, leading to the desertion of the diet. This Scottish legal term reflected that there wasn't enough evidence to secure a conviction while also leaving the possibility of future prosecution open. The following year, in a separate trial dated 22nd July 1590, the final verdict was 'Not Guilty', marking her formal acquittal. During this time, she was purportedly accused by a number of individuals—including Margaret Mowat and Margaret Ros—of having been an accomplice to witchcraft. Nevertheless, Katherene managed to evade further prosecution, reportedly fleeing to Caithness when her so-called accomplices faced conviction.
Complicating matters was her connection to a dispute involving Hector, who sought her terce—a widow's entitlement to a portion of her deceased husband's estate. These familial and social entanglements highlight the precarious position Katherene found herself in, as complex inheritance disputes could easily intertwine with the volatile accusations of witchcraft. Her case reflects the broader context of the Scottish witch trials, where accusations could serve both to pursue personal vendettas and to enforce societal norms. Despite the trials and accusations, Katherene's noble status and eventual acquittal allowed her to escape the harsher fates faced by many accused of witchcraft during this era in Scotland.