In the year 1678, Margaret Lowis, a woman of 36 years from the village of Humbie in Haddington, found herself at the center of a dramatic and perilous moment in Scottish history. Margaret was accused of witchcraft, a charge that came after an 11-year reputation in her community that cast a long shadow over her character. From the historical records, it is clear that Margaret's case reached the courts of Edinburgh in early September. On the ominous date of the 13th of September, her trial commenced. The trial's proceedings were characterized by the era's fervent witch-hunting zeal, and the Lord Advocate acted as the prosecutor—a fearsome role, charging Margaret with crimes against the natural order.
The records reveal that Margaret gave a confession on two occasions—a common occurrence during this tumultuous period, often under circumstances fraught with intense pressure. The first confession was recorded on the 11th of September, shortly followed by another on the 13th, just as her trial was beginning. Despite the details of the confessions being lost to history, they were critical to the swift development of her case.
The verdict was pronounced as guilty, sealing Margaret's fate. Just days later, on the 18th of September, Margaret was executed in Edinburgh at the site known as the Gallow. The method of execution used was both strangling and burning, a grim testament to the period's harsh judicial practices. This tragic conclusion marked the end of Margaret Lowis's life, encapsulated within a broader historical context of fear and superstition that gripped Scotland during the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries. Her story, preserved in the terse lines of court records, serves as a poignant reminder of an era where accusation could quickly lead to irreversible outcomes.