In the late 17th century, amidst the turbulent atmosphere of witch trials in Scotland, Janet Robertson, a resident of Govan in Lanark, found herself ensnared in the perilous web of accusations that swept through the area. Janet, whose life was typically rooted in the everyday concerns of a middling household, was married to a local smith. Their lives took a perilous turn when Janet was accused of witchcraft following the unsettling testimonies of Margaret Murdoch, a young girl who claimed to be tormented by local witches. Margaret, whose father was John Murdoch of Craigtown, became a central figure in the case against Janet, as well as others whom she denounced while experiencing fits that gripped her and those around her in fear and suspicion.
The accusations against Janet culminated in a trial intended to take place in Glasgow, following witness testimonies gathered in April 1699. These testimonies largely drew from the accounts of individuals who had witnessed Margaret Murdoch's fits and the subsequent accusations she made during these episodes. Despite the initial proceedings and the assembly of evidence, which was recorded in what was known as a dittay, the trial did not occur as planned. Instead, the sessions were postponed and eventually, the case found its way to the high court in Edinburgh in early 1700.
When Janet's case was finally heard, she faced the weight of the accusations with dignity. Fortunately for Janet and her family, the trial concluded with her release, as recorded on March 12, 1700. The deserted process at Glasgow and the subsequent decision in Edinburgh brought an end to her legal troubles, but the experience would have indelibly marked Janet and her family, casting long shadows over their lives in a time when fear and superstition held sway over reason and justice.