In the mid-17th century, the tumultuous waves of the Scottish witch trials reached the north-eastern coastal town of Wick in Caithness, enveloping many in its grip, including a local woman named Margaret Nakoch. According to historical records, Margaret's name appeared in the 1655 proceedings, marking her as a fugitive in the complex web of accusations and legal battles that characterized this fraught period. Her case was noted in a list compiled by Larner and others, which traced its origins to the document JC17/1—a fugitive list from the circuit court of that era. This designation indicates that at some point, Margaret found herself evading the judicial process that sought to determine her fate in light of such accusations.
Margaret Nakoch's story, as recorded, offers only scant details about her trial and its eventual outcome. Her association with the circuit court proceedings suggests that she was involved in one of the itinerant court sessions that travelled throughout Scotland, addressing cases that ranged from mundane legal disputes to those carrying the weighty and perilous charge of witchcraft. The fact that the record labels her a fugitive hints at a life abruptly disrupted, yet whether Margaret managed to elude capture indefinitely or ultimately faced trial remains shrouded in historical ambiguity. Her case symbolizes the peril of the times, illustrating the precarious existence of those accused, who navigated a society entrenched in fear and superstition.