In 1655, amidst the rolling landscapes of Caithness, a man named Gilbert Mowat found himself embroiled in the turmoil of the Scottish witch trials. Residing in the small town of Wick, Gilbert's life took an unexpected turn as he was listed as a fugitive, according to the circuit court records. The exact reasons for his indictment remain unknown, but his inclusion in a fugitive list suggests a serious accusation was laid at his feet, typical of the period's fervent and often indiscriminate pursuit of those suspected of witchcraft.
The records, part of a broader archive concerning the witch trials, highlight how Gilbert's case was noted by the scholars Larner et al. in their 'Source-book', though it appears the specifics were not further explored in the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, likely due to the limited scope of their project. Gilbert's presence on the fugitive list implies he may have gone into hiding or was perhaps eluding authorities, a common occurrence when accused of such grave charges, as the trials were often characterized by fear and infamy, casting a long shadow on those involved. Despite the lack of details concerning the ultimate resolution of his case, Gilbert Mowat's plight exemplifies the anxious climate of mid-17th-century Scotland, where accusations could upend lives and continue to puzzle historians today.