Issobell Dodis appears in the historical record as one of the many individuals caught up in the tumultuous period of the Scottish witch trials that gripped the nation from 1563 to 1736. Her name surfaces in a case from the summer of 1661, when witch trials were particularly fervent in and around Edinburgh. Though no specific details of the accusations against her are extant beyond the charge of attending a witches' meeting, the mere allegation was sufficient to bring her to trial. Issobell is associated with the community of Liberton, a village south of Edinburgh, from which several other accused individuals also hailed, suggesting a network of suspicion that entangled neighbors and possibly even friends.
On August 7th, 1661, Issobell stood trial in Edinburgh. The records reveal that during this proceeding, Issobell did not confess to any wrongdoing. The absence of a confession on that date does not clarify her fate, but it remains a critical detail in understanding the progression of her case within the broader tapestry of witch trials, where confession, often extracted under duress, played a crucial role in determining outcomes. The trial notes do not record anything beyond the lack of confession, leaving much of her story untold.
Issobell's name also arises in connection with another accused woman, Bessie Flinker, who identified her as an accomplice. This mention illustrates the often-interconnected nature of these trials, where accusations could spread rapidly among individuals from the same community. The dynamics of such accusations often relied on local tensions and relationships, with communities like Liberton and Duddingston becoming hotbeds for witchcraft charges during this era. Whether or not they were closely acquainted, the linking of Issobell's name with Bessie's contributed to the labyrinth of testimonies and suspicions that characterized many witch trial records.