In the windswept village of Markle, near Preston in Haddington, Margaret Nicolsone lived a life that, under typical circumstances, might not have drawn much attention. Of middling socioeconomic status and married, Margaret's day-to-day existence was perhaps unremarkable save for the occasional quarrel with her neighbors. However, it was precisely these quarrels, alongside the interference of a certain Hammilton, that thrust Margaret into the perilous scrutiny of witchcraft accusations in late 1629.
Hammilton, an itinerant beggar known to occasionally find shelter in the outbuilding of Margaret's home, became an unexpected catalyst for the accusations against her. The records suggest that he himself was embroiled in scandal, having been accused of attempting to seduce a neighbor's wife. In a turn of events scarcely surprising in such a volatile setting, Hammilton directed his denouncements towards Margaret, prompting intense investigations. Witness testimonies were gathered from November 7 through November 23, under the direction of Colville and sanctioned by the Bishop of Dunblane, highlighting the fervor with which the authorities pursued such cases.
The scrutiny Margaret endured involved rigorous questioning of herself, her family, and her neighbors in a bid to uncover any alleged witchcraft. Despite the relentless investigation, the case against her did not proceed to a more damning conclusion. The trial records, notably from sessions in Edinburgh, indicate that the case against Margaret was eventually dropped, suggesting perhaps a lack of evidence or other unknown factors that worked in her favor. Such an outcome in an era marked by immense fear and suspicion can be seen as fortuitous, yet it underscores the precarious position of many women at that time, whose everyday lives could suddenly be overshadowed by dangerous allegations based on the most tenuous of grounds.