Janet Hairstains emerged as a figure of note in the turbulent period of Scottish history marked by witch trials, her name largely carried through 17th and early 18th-century records of ecclesiastical and civil scrutiny. A widow residing in Collin, Torthorwald, near Dumfries, Janet's journey through the legal and religious systems is emblematic of the precariousness faced by those accused of witchcraft during that era. Her tale presents a tapestry of movement and recurring legal confrontations, accentuated by her banishment from various ecclesiastical jurisdictions. The Dumfries presbytery records from 1700 suggest that Janet faced investigation leading to her expulsion from the area—a decision to which she consented, suggesting an understanding of the limited options available to her at that time.
Despite her compliance with the terms of her banishment, Janet's troubles did not cease. Resurfacing in the Kirkcudbright region, she found herself once more ensnared in legal proceedings. In 1709, she came before the circuit court again in a case marked by allegations of property damage specifically involving animals. Yet, the verdict pronounced her not guilty, leading to her release. This outcome, documented on May 4, 1709, reveals Janet's enduring struggle against accusations that lacked definitive evidence of malfeasance. Her story, recorded in several porteous rolls, potentially resonates with another individual bearing the same name in the vicinity. Still, comprehensive accounts confirm that it was the same Janet, a testament to her resilience amidst a system fraught with suspicion and fear of witchcraft.