In the annals of Scotland's notorious witch trials, the case of Ewfame Makcalzene stands out due to her status and the gravity of the accusations leveraged against her. Born into an illustrious family, as noted by Pitcairn, Ewfame resided in Cliftonhall, Edinburgh, and was married, positioning her within the upper echelons of society. Despite her esteemed background, she found herself ensnared in the North Berwick witch trials, a series of events that began in 1590 and became some of the most infamous trials of their time. She stood accused of maleficium, or harmful magic, and participating in witches’ meetings—serious charges that often led to dire consequences during this period.
Her trial commenced on June 9, 1591, in Edinburgh. The proceedings were protracted, characterized by numerous objections that extended the trial, which underscored the complexities and tensions surrounding the case. After lengthy deliberations, the jury reached a guilty verdict on June 14, 1591, leading to the harsh sentence of execution by burning at Castle Hill—a grim culmination shared by many during this era. Through this process, Ewfame was allegedly implicated by several others, including Katherine Campbell, Catheren Carutheris, Jonet Cunninghame, and Robert Grierson, who named her as an accomplice in their own accusations.
The trial records also hint at suspicions surrounding her supposed involvement in property damage, with claims that she caused harm to boats and animals through magical means. Despite the absence of detailed specifics concerning these allegations, such charges were typical of the maleficium accusations that plagued many during this period. Ewfame Makcalzene's ultimate fate reflects the broader social and cultural tumult of the witch trials, a time when fear and suspicion often overwhelmed rational judgement, sealing the doom of those accused.