In the mid-17th century Caithness, the spectre of witchcraft loomed large, often casting a shadow over the everyday lives of its inhabitants. Among those caught in the web of suspicion was Margaret Nakoch from Wick. The records of 1655 reveal her inclusion in a list of fugitives—names etched into history as part of a prominent witchcraft case cataloged by historians Christina Larner and her associates.
Margaret's case, identified as Nakoch, Margaret (C/EGD/774), portrays a time of tumult as Scotland grappled with its fear of witchcraft and the trials that ensued. Though the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft did not catalogue this particular case within its comprehensive remit, the reference to original records suggests that the proceedings against her were notable enough to be recorded within the circuit court system. Her categorization as a fugitive implies a dramatic episode—either an escape from custody or evasion of capture—typifying the desperation and stigma surrounding those accused.
However, the outcome of Margaret's flight remains unknown, lingering as a tantalizing mystery. The details recorded and preserved in this fugitive list echo the broader narratives of the Scottish witch hunts, where the fervor to root out supposed maleficium often left the fates of many, like Margaret Nakoch, unresolved in the annals of history.