In the tumultuous mid-17th century, as witchcraft accusations stirred fear and suspicion across Scotland, Thomas Mrgillie Lukell found himself enmeshed in one such case in the parish of Clyne, Sutherland. The records, preserved in various archival collections, provide a glimpse into his plight. Thomas, whose surname reflects historical spelling conventions that resist straightforward modernisation, was noted in a 1655 list of fugitives associated with the circuit court, a body tasked with adjudicating legal disputes across the region. This listing, recorded under the reference JC17/1 and noted by historian Christina Larner among others, suggests that he had evaded authorities or fled justice at some point, a reality that was not uncommon during a period fraught with instability and fear of witchcraft.
Though comprehensive details of Thomas's life and the specifics of the allegations against him remain scant, the designation as a "fugitive" implies a serious charge that necessitated his elusion of the legal system. The exact nature of the accusations, whether rooted in maleficence or other local grievances, and his subsequent fate are not detailed in the surviving records. His case, however, stands as a poignant reminder of the precariousness of existence during Scotland's witch trials era, where mere suspicion or association with witchcraft could result in social ostracism, legal persecution, or life on the run. Thomas's experience illustrates the broader climate of fear and uncertainty that pervaded Sutherland and beyond during this historic period.