Margaret Dods, a resident of Paiston, Crichton near Edinburgh, was embroiled in the witch trials that swept through Scotland in the 17th century. Though initially recorded as 27 at her accusation, historical notes suggest she was considerably older, perhaps around 60, at the time of her involvement in the legal proceedings against her. Described in the case records as being beyond the physical flexibility needed for the symbolic gesture of ‘renunciation of baptism,’ Margaret faced serious charges, including participating in a witches' meeting—a grave accusation during that tumultuous period.
Her trial took place on the 13th of September, 1678, in Edinburgh, following a series of confessions recorded over the preceding months. The court, led by the Lord Advocate, found Margaret guilty, sealing her fate in a time when suspected witchcraft was harshly punished. Despite the absence of detailed content from these confessions, it is clear they significantly influenced her trial's outcome, as her name surfaced in connection with various individuals accused of similar crimes, including being named as an accomplice alongside women such as Sarah Cranston and Marion Veitch.
Margaret's end came swiftly following her conviction. She was executed one week later, on the 20th of September, 1678, by strangulation and subsequent burning—a typical method of executing convicted witches, intended to purify and ensure no further sorcery could be enacted. Trials of her peers suggested a climate of fear and suspicion, with various women including Katherine Halyday, and Margaret Russel also embroiled in these terrible proceedings. These records capture a grim chapter in Scottish history, illuminating the harsh realities faced by many like Margaret Dods during the witch trials.