In the late 17th century, amidst the widespread fear and rampant accusations of witchcraft in Scotland, Annabel Reid found herself ensnared in the fervor of the Renfrewshire witch trials. Residing in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Annabel was a married woman whose life was abruptly upended in 1697, during a period notorious for its fervent witch hunts. Annabel was one of many caught in the infamous web of accusations following claims by a girl, Margaret Laird, who alleged she was tormented by witches. Laird, residing in Paisley, pointed the finger at various individuals during mysterious fits, with Annabel included among those accused.
The initial trial for Annabel took place on April 13, 1697, in Renfrew. During this time, she was formally indicted along with several others in connection to the Renfrewshire cases of 1697. However, Annabel was released due to her then-current obligation of breastfeeding. Beyond this initial reprieve, it is clear that the shadow of suspicion lingered, as her case did not conclude swiftly. Attention returned to Annabel in 1700, following a series of witness statements and formal documentations compiled in April 1699. A trial was scheduled to take place in Glasgow, but it seemingly did not proceed. Eventually, Annabel's "diet was deserted" in March 1700 at the High Court in Edinburgh, effectively ending the legal proceedings against her without a sentence being imposed.
These records of Annabel Reid’s ordeal illuminate not merely the personal tribulations she endured but also underscore the chaotic and unpredictable nature of witch trials during this period in Scotland. Annabel's release, albeit under distressing conditions, provides a glimpse into the sometimes merciful complexities at play within the judicial structures of early modern Scottish society.