The annals of Scottish history tell of More Roy, a resident of the rugged and remote region of Moidart in Inverness during the 17th century. More lived in a period when fear and superstition held significant sway over communities, and the shadow of witchcraft accusations loomed large. Moidart, with its steep hills and dense forests, was a place where tradition and folklore intermingled with daily life, potentially providing fertile ground for suspicions and accusations.
In the autumn of 1669, More found herself at the center of such suspicions. Her trial, recorded under the case identifier C/JO/2864, began on the 30th of September. Despite the seriousness of the charge, the historical records, identified as T/JO/647, offer no further details of the proceedings. This lack of information leaves a significant gap in understanding the particulars of the accusations against More or the outcome of the trial. Nonetheless, the mere recording of her name signifies the weight such allegations carried and the indelible mark they left upon an individual's identity and history.
The case of More Roy is emblematic of the many lives interrupted by accusations of witchcraft during the witch hunts in Scotland between 1563 and 1736. As with numerous other trials, specifics often vanished into the ether of time, rendering those accused as shadowy figures caught in the throes of a society grappling with fear and the search for culpability. More's story, encapsulated in sparse records, invites reflection on the complex interplay of power, belief, and community dynamics during this fraught period in Scottish history.