In the early summer of 1627, Alexander Mowat found himself ensnared in the web of Scotland's witch trials, an era marked by fervent fear and persecution. Residing in the town of Turriff in Aberdeen, Alexander was a married man, living a life that would be disrupted by the suspicion cast not just upon him, but also upon his wife, who was similarly accused. This joint accusation hints at the deeply communal and often familial nature of witchcraft charges during this period, where associations could lead entire households into peril.
The record of his case, noted under the designation C/EGD/999, signifies the official commencement of legal proceedings against him on the 6th of May, 1627. During this time, accusations of witchcraft in Scotland were often met with intense scrutiny and harsh measures. The trial, registered as T/LA/475, would have likely involved the assemblage of community testimonies, assessments of character, and probing into any inexplicable or misfortunate events attributed to supernatural influence. The fact that both Alexander and his spouse were charged suggests a widespread suspicion that could reflect tensions or events within the community of Turriff itself.
Presented with these serious accusations, Alexander faced a challenging ordeal, as witchcraft trials of the time often relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and popular belief rather than empirical proof. As was common practice, the outcome of such a trial could lead to dire consequences. The shared accusations leveled against both husband and wife illustrate a period in Scottish history where the fear of witchcraft intertwined with social dynamics, leaving ordinary individuals at the mercy of prevailing anxieties and judicial procedures.