The records concerning Isable Bennet provide a glimpse into the complexities of the witch trials in Scotland during the mid-17th century. Residing in Roxburgh, Isable found herself at the heart of one such case in 1659. The legal proceedings against her were part of the Roxburgh Roll—a listing presumably used to organize and manage the trial process for those accused of witchcraft. It was on the 8th of April in that year when Isable’s trial occurred, under the purview of the Advocate General, who acted as the pursuer in the case against her.
At this time, the Advocate General had the daunting role of prosecuting in the name of the crown, reflecting the state's vested interest in addressing suspicions of witchcraft, which were fraught with social and religious tensions. Unfortunately, the trial notes confer little information on the specifics of the accusations or the proceedings themselves. Nevertheless, they underscore the legal rigor that isolated individuals like Isable, subjecting them to the prevailing legal frameworks and societal pressures of the time. Her case exists as a testimony to the atmosphere of suspicion and fear that permeated Scottish society during the witch hunts, impacting the lives of many women in communities like Roxburgh.