In the waning months of the 17th century, the town of Paisley in Renfrewshire found itself embroiled in a series of accusations that ensnared a young resident by the name of Alexander Lyle. Fifteen years old and single, Alexander was swept into a maelstrom of suspicion, a fate all too common in an era gripped by fear of the supernatural. Notably, his mother had also been labeled a witch, a detail that perhaps darkened the cloud of suspicion hovering over him. The youthful Alexander, barely more than a boy, became the focus of allegations that would lead to an official case against him.
The proceedings officially commenced on the 12th of March, 1700, amidst the ancient walls of Edinburgh. Before his trial, witnesses in Paisley had described scenes of bewitchment that contributed to the mounting hysteria. Testimonies included accounts of mysterious fits and accusations delivered by a local figure identified as Laird, lending weight to the claims against Alexander. Despite the intensity of the charge and the entrenched beliefs of the community, Alexander's trial concluded with his release. The legal reasoning—recorded succinctly as "diet deserted"—indicates that the Crown opted not to pursue further action against him, an outcome that spared the young Lyle the grim fate many others faced during this tumultuous period.