In the tumultuous mid-seventeenth century, as the fear of witchcraft permeated Scottish society, an individual named Adam Barnie from Keyse, Caithness, found himself ensnared in the complex web of accusations. Recorded in the year 1655, Adam’s case appears under the designation "C/EGD/769" in historical accounts. Though detailed records such as those in Larner's 'Source-book' make a note of his inclusion on a fugitive list, the specifics of the allegations leveled against him remain largely obscured by the passage of time. What is clear from the records, however, is the gravity with which such accusations were treated during this period, often prompting individuals like Adam to flee in hopes of avoiding the dire consequences that could ensue from even unsubstantiated claims of witchcraft.
The records provide evidence that Adam was processed through the circuit court, as noted in "T/LA/1928", yet his story takes a notable turn as the documentation lists him as a fugitive. The precise reasons that led Adam Barnie to abscond are lost to history, though it likely reflects the climate of anxiety and the draconian measures often employed in these witch-hunting cases. The absence of a documented trial outcome leaves us with only a fragmentary picture of Adam's fate, illustrating the often chaotic and incomplete nature of judicial records from this fraught era in Scottish history. His story, however, serves as a poignant reminder of the broader societal fear that gripped the nation, where mere suspicion could compel a person to perilous flight.