In the parish of Auldearn in Nairn, the year 1662 marked a turbulent chapter for a woman named Janet Man, who resided in Milton of Moynes. Janet, a married woman, found herself ensnared in the web of accusations that characterized the Scottish witch trials. Her case, documented as case number C/EGD/465, is a testament to the fear and suspicion that pervaded 17th-century Scotland, where whispers of witchcraft could quickly escalate into formal inquiries and trials.
Janet's trial commenced on the 14th of April, 1662, as noted in trial record T/LA/1854. These records, while sparse, highlight the procedural elements typical of such trials—gatherings of local authorities and community members, testimonies enveloped in folklore, and a judicial process that reflected the era’s prevailing anxieties about witchcraft. Janet, like many others in her predicament, would have faced a panel deeply influenced by a societal context that saw witchcraft as a palpable threat, intertwined with community misfortunes and unexplained events.
The record of Janet Man's trial is a poignant reminder of a period where personal grievances, ill fortune, and societal pressures could culminate in severe legal repercussions. As a resident of Milton of Moynes, Janet and her experience contribute to the broader tapestry of Scottish witch trials, offering contemporary audiences insight into the historical realities faced by those accused during this fraught period.