Gelie Duncan, a resident of Haddington, found herself enmeshed in one of the most infamous witch trials of late 16th century Scotland. Her case, documented in the records dated May 8, 1591, primarily revolved around charges of attending a witches' meeting—an accusation serious enough to embroil her in a series of high-profile trials that came to define the North Berwick witch hunts. Gelie's name appears prominently on the lists of those said to have consorted with several noted figures of the time, like Francis Stewart, the Earl of Bothwell, and John Fean. These associations implicated her in a broader alleged conspiracy involving both highborn and common individuals.
The legal proceedings against Gelie included two trials, distinguished by the archival labels T/LA/1649 and T/LA/970. These suggest a prolonged and complex legal process, which aligns with the intensity of the witch hunts in late 16th century Scotland. During these proceedings, Gelie's confession, recorded in 1591, would have been a focal point, potentially extracted under duress as was customary of the period. Despite the lack of surviving personal testimony or details about her life, the record of her confession indicates an admission of guilt or at least a narrative compelling enough to satisfy the courts of her alleged involvement.
Furthermore, Gelie was implicated in claims concerning property damage, specifically to boats, which might reflect a common accusation against alleged witches: causing harm or destruction through supernatural means, directly impacting livelihoods. While often shaped by local tensions, envy, or fear, these accusations underscored the pervading anxiety and suspicion towards those believed to possess malevolent otherworldly powers. Ultimately, Gelie Duncan’s case is emblematic of the turbulent era, encapsulating themes of fear, power, and the complex interplay of social networks in early modern Scotland's witchcraft trials.