On a late summer day in 1602, Mareoun Geilsdochter, a resident of Waiss in Shetland, faced an ordeal that placed her in the annals of Scottish history, captured through the records of her trial on the 30th of July of that year. The charge against her was serious: an accusation of witchcraft that had led to damage in the local dairy, a significant concern in a community where livestock and dairy products formed the backbone of sustenance and economy.
At her trial in Skeldevo, Mareoun was subjected to a judicial process reflective of the legal practices of early modern Scotland. The trial notes reveal that she was given the opportunity to "quite tham selffis" at the Sherrif court—a procedure that allowed her to disprove the charge against her through what was termed a "larycht aith." This process required Mareoun to find two neighbours who were willing to swear to her innocence. Additionally, she faced a financial penalty of two merks silver, a substantial burden for anyone of modest means.
The requirement to enlist neighbours’ testimonies speaks to the communal nature of justice during this period and highlights the precarious position of individuals like Mareoun, who relied on their social networks for exoneration in a climate of fear and suspicion. Her trial encapsulates a moment in time where community ties could influence the outcome of witchcraft accusations, an enduring part of Scotland's complex historical landscape surrounding the witch trials.