In the early days of 1662, Donald McCartour from the island of Bute found himself embroiled in the tumultuous saga of the Scottish witch trials. His case, recorded under the number C/JO/3252, evidences the intense atmosphere of suspicion and fear that had gripped the region. The island of Bute, part of the Inner Hebrides, was no stranger to such allegations during this period, where societal anxieties about malevolent forces and the disruption to daily life often culminated in the accusation of witchcraft.
According to the records maintained, Donald's trial took place on January 28, 1662, marked by the entry T/JO/1903. Unfortunately, these records do not elaborate on the specific charges brought against Donald or the events that led to his accusation. Nor do they provide insight into the proceedings themselves or the outcome of the trial. What remains clear, however, is that Donald's story was part of a broader narrative that involved men as well as women in the perilous web of witch-related accusations during a period where legal procedures and societal norms intertwined to shape the lives of many like him across Scotland.