In the midst of the 17th century, the winds of suspicion blew strongly across Scotland, bringing with them the turbulent witch trials that marked the era. Among those swept up in these accusations was Issobell Keir, a resident of Stirling, whose case was etched into the annals of history on March 23, 1659. The records inform us of a trial that took place in Stirling, where Issobell was charged with the grave crime of witchcraft. Despite declaring her innocence and pleading not guilty before the court, the verdict delivered was one of guilt.
Issobell's trial was part of the North circuit, despite some confusion in the documentation indicating it was bound with materials from the South and West circuits. This misplacement in the records might hint at the widespread nature of such trials, or perhaps administrative disarray amidst the flurry of accusations during this period. Witness testimonies were a pivotal aspect, with individuals summoned by the 18th of March 1659, just days before Issobell stood before the justice courts. Unfortunately, the specific details of the allegations or the testimony against her remain undisclosed in the surviving documents, offering us only a somber reminder of the circumstances many, like Issobell, found themselves in during Scotland's witchcraft panic.