Janet McAlexander, a woman residing in the burgh of Ayr, became embroiled in the tumultuous witch trials that swept through early modern Scotland. Her ordeal is primarily documented in the case and trial records from the year 1618. Unfortunately, the records do not illuminate the specific charges against her or the nature of the accusations that led to her trial. What we do know is that by December 7th of that year, her case came to a conclusion with a verdict of guilty.
The summary nature of the trial notes leaves much to the imagination, offering no insights into the proceedings themselves or the testimony that might have swayed the court’s decision. Though the details are scant, the verdict sealed Janet's fate with a sentence of execution, specifically noting that she was to be burnt. This method of execution was common for those found guilty of witchcraft, intended not only as punishment but as a deterrent, reflecting society’s acute fear and condemnation of witchcraft during that era. Janet McAlexander’s history, although shadowed by limited documentation, is a solemn reminder of the often perilous circumstances many faced during the witch hunts in Scotland.