In the spring of 1697, Katherine Flowers, a resident of Craigtoun Burn in Renfrew, was caught in the sweeping tides of panic that marked the witch trials of the late seventeenth century in Scotland. Sometimes referred to by the name Ferrier in the court documents, Katherine's lineage or marital connections might have contributed to the variance in her recorded surname—a not uncommon occurrence in historical documents of the era. The exact circumstances that led to Katherine's accusation remain sparse, but she became one of the many entangled in what is known today as the Renfrewshire witch trials.
On the 13th of April 1697, Katherine stood amongst a larger group facing indictment in Renfrew, charged specifically with participating in a witches' meeting. Such gatherings were a central element in witchcraft accusations, often depicted as nocturnal assemblies where maleficent deeds were purportedly planned. The adjournment of her proceedings, first noted on April 13, led to a deferral of her trial until the 19th of May. This was not uncommon, as trials during this period could be postponed or drawn out for a variety of reasons, from legal deliberations to logistical challenges.
While the records indicate that her trial was set to resume on May 28, 1697, the historical record falls silent thereafter regarding the outcome of Katherine's ordeal. There survives no documentation detailing a verdict or further proceedings, leaving the conclusion of her story within the legal system shrouded in uncertainty. Katherine's experience remains an example of the era's turbulent intersection of fear, superstition, and the law, a poignant reminder of the trials faced by many during this tumultuous chapter in Scotland's history.