In the mid-17th century, Thomas Mrgillie Lukell found himself ensnared in the turbulent and perilous period of the Scottish witch trials. Residing in the small parish of Clyne in Sutherland, Thomas's life took a dramatic turn in 1655, when his name appeared in a list of fugitives connected to accusations of witchcraft. This list, as catalogued in Larner's 'Source-book', references a broader compilation of the supposed practitioners of maleficium, a term commonly used during this era to describe harmful witchcraft.
The historical record does not provide specific details on the nature of the accusations against Thomas or the circumstances that led to his name being included in such a foreboding register. His case, labelled as Mrgillie Lukell, Thomas, resides in an obscure segment of Scottish judicial documents—the JC17/1 series—known primarily for its elusive and incomplete records. What is clear from the documentation is that Thomas managed to evade the circuit court, as he is described as a fugitive, a term indicating that he either fled or was somehow absent when summoned for trial. This label of fugitive suggests that the legal outcome of his case remains unknown, void of the usual procedural conclusions seen in many other witchcraft trials of the time.
Thomas's case stands as a poignant reminder of the uncertainties and dangers faced by those caught in the throes of witchcraft accusations during this era. The lack of a recorded verdict opens a window to the myriad possibilities of his fate: perpetual flight, concealment, or even an eventual, undocumented reconciliation with the authorities or community. As with many stories from this chapter of Scottish history, the narrative of Thomas Mrgillie Lukell illustrates the complexity and fear that pervaded his time, leaving only fragmented hints at a life overshadowed by the spectre of witchcraft allegations.