In the spring of 1697, Margaret McKillope, a widow residing in the small village of Bonneill within Renfrew, found herself amidst the tumultuous events surrounding the witch trials of that year. Her case became part of the widespread hysteria that gripped the region, known as the Renfrewshire witch hunts. As a widow, Margaret's social position was precarious, a situation not unusual for the time, which likely made her more susceptible to accusations of witchcraft. She was formally charged with partaking in clandestine gatherings commonly referenced as "witches' meetings," an accusation that was often leveled against those suspected of witchcraft during this period.
Margaret's trial process reflects the chaotic nature of these proceedings. She initially appeared in a crowded courtroom on the 13th of April, 1697, grouped with numerous other accused individuals. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the trial did not reach a swift conclusion. It was prolonged first to the 12th of May, then again postponed to the 19th of that month. Eventually, all cases, including Margaret’s, were deferred to the 28th of May. However, historical records fall silent beyond this point, leaving Margaret's ultimate fate shrouded in mystery. The absence of concluding documents suggests either a dissolution of proceedings or an unfortunate loss in administrative records. Thus, while Margaret McKillope's indictment was an indelible entry in the annals of the Renfrewshire cases, the outcome remains lost to history, emblematic of the tumult and often arbitrary nature of witch trials in 17th century Scotland.