In the summer of 1649, amidst the backdrop of Scotland's fervent witch hunts, Margaret Tullie found herself at the center of grave accusations in Haddington. According to the records available, Margaret was accused alongside two other women of participating in what was described as a "witches' meeting." This charge, though disturbingly common during the period, often indicated a suspicion of involvement in clandestine gatherings believed to be dedicated to malevolent witchcraft.
Margaret's case is notably sparse in specific details, making it difficult to discern the full context of her life or the accusations laid against her. However, the record suggests that neither she nor her co-accused were residents under the spiritual oversight of the local ministers or presbytery. This detail implies that Margaret may not have been a local figure in the community of Haddington, potentially adding an extra layer of otherness or suspicion to her persona in the eyes of the townsfolk, who might have been wary of outsiders at a time of heightened paranoia.
On July 11, 1649, Margaret Tullie's confession was officially recorded. A subsequent confession followed on July 25, 1649, suggesting that she either reaffirmed her initial statements or was subjected to further interrogation. The absence of detailed trial notes leaves us with little insight into the courtroom dynamics or the precise nature of her supposed involvement in witchcraft. Regardless, Margaret Tullie's story is emblematic of the era's broader societal fears and the precarious position of women who, for reasons often obscured by time, fell prey to the era's relentless witch hunts.