In the late summer of 1597, Beigis Balmayn found herself entangled in the fervor of witchcraft accusations that swept through Scotland during this period. Residing in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Beigis was summoned before the Kirkcaldy Burgh Court as noted by the meticulous records checked by historian Julian Goodare. Her summons was formalized with a caution to appear, indicating the gravity with which these accusations were treated in her community. This step might highlight the seriousness of the suspicion surrounding Beigis, a reflection of how deeply witchcraft concerns had permeated Scottish society during the late 16th century.
The records preserved as part of the trial proceedings, denoted as T/JO/2114, provide a structured account of Beigis's encounter with the judicial system. While details of the specific charges or the outcome are not outlined in the fragment of the historical record provided, they underscore a period when the mere accusation of witchcraft could thrust an individual into a perilous legal process. Beigis Balmayn's case is a poignant example of the many women who found themselves under scrutiny due to the pervasive fear of witchcraft, a fear that resonated with the societal and religious climates of early modern Scotland.