Ewfame Makcalzene, a woman of esteemed lineage residing in Cliftonhall, Edinburgh, became entangled in the fervent witch-hunting activities that marked the late 16th century in Scotland. Despite her upper socioeconomic status and her family's illustrious background, Ewfame found herself accused of witchcraft—a fate not uncommon even among the privileged during the North Berwick witch trials, which marked a particularly intense period of witch-hunting here. Ewfame faced grave charges of maleficium, specifically involving the destruction of boats and harm to animals, as well as accusations of participating in secret witches' meetings, undoubtedly linking her to the broader suspicion that had gripped the region's collective imagination.
Her trial was set in Edinburgh, commencing on the 9th of June, 1591, where the process was notably protracted due to numerous objections. Despite the drawn-out nature of the proceedings, the assize—Scotland's equivalent of a jury—ultimately returned a verdict of guilty on the 14th of June. A list of alleged accomplices, including Katherine Campbell, Catheren Carutheris, Jonet Cunninghame, and Robert Grierson, linked Ewfame to a network of individuals similarly accused, hinting at the pervasive fear of conspiracies involving witches that characterized the era.
The following day, on Castle Hill, Ewfame's life ended with her execution by burning, a common method reserved for those convicted of witchcraft. The record notes the application of torture, with Ewfame being tied to a pole, a grim testament to the lengths judicial authorities went to extract confessions or evidence during witch trials. Her trial and subsequent execution are stark reminders of the tumultuous times and the dangers that faced anyone, regardless of status, during this foreboding chapter of Scottish history.