In the tumultuous climate of 17th-century Scotland, where fear and superstition often held sway, Walter Dykis found himself embroiled in the witch trials that swept through the nation. Residing in Haddington, a town caught in the throes of witch fervor, Walter's life took a dramatic turn in April 1662. During this period, mass accusations were common, as was the case for Walter, who was among a significant number of individuals denounced by James Welch, a figure whose accusations were held in high regard by the authorities of the time.
Despite the gravity of the accusations against him, Walter was considered too young to be put on trial—a fact that did not spare him from imprisonment. While specific details of his age remain unspecified in the historical record, it suggests a recognition by the legal system of a need for different treatment based on maturity and presumed culpability. Nevertheless, Walter's confession, along with his own denunciations of others, was used as valid evidence, a testament to the precariousness of justice during this fraught period. The authorities took his words seriously, contributing to the wider witch-hunting efforts engulfing the community. Walter's experience underscores the complex nature of these trials, where the words of the accused could both condemn themselves further and implicate others in the endlessly tangled web of accusation and suspicion.