In the harsh and harrowing period of early modern Scotland, a tragic figure emerges from the records: Meg Dow. At the tender age of just nine, Meg found herself entangled in the infamous web of witchcraft accusations that plagued her time. Residing in Gilmerton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Meg became one of the many victims of the fevered climate that led to the widespread witch trials between 1563 and 1736. The historical documents don't elaborate on the specifics of her alleged misdeeds, but they do indicate the gravity with which such accusations were pursued during this era.
On April 14th, 1590, the young Meg was first brought in for questioning, a process she would undergo a second time just six days later. The details of these interrogations are not recorded, but they culminated in a trial held in Edinburgh on April 28th. Despite her youth, Meg was found guilty of witchcraft, and the sentence was as severe as it was common for convicted witches: execution by strangulation, followed by burning—a grim spectacle that took place on Castle Hill. The severity of this punishment reflects the era's pervasive fear and the harsh judicial practices surrounding witchcraft.
Meg Dow's case, though singular in its devastating impact, is emblematic of the tragic fates suffered by many during this period. She was not only one of the youngest known to be executed for witchcraft but also part of a larger narrative that included ties to others like Janet Pook, who mentions Meg in her trial records. Such connections hint at the complex social dynamics and widespread fear that fueled these accusations, underscoring a dark chapter in Scotland's history.