Winter Lecture Series: Witchcraft in Early Modern Scotland

The Scottish Witch-Hunts, occurring between 1563 and 1736, saw the persecution of approximately 4000 people as witches. It is estimated that around two-thirds of those accused of witchcraft were executed, with about 85% of these being women. Thus, in proportion to its population size, Scotland is believed to have experienced the some of the most intense witch-hunting in Europe. Edinburgh and East Lothian were hotspots for witchcraft accusations, trials and executions. This talk will reveal stories of Scotland’s accused witches who be found on the top of Arthur’s Seat, down Old Town’s darkest wynds, and within Castle and Palace walls.

Ellie is a current PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, her research is focused upon the developments of the belief in the supernatural in Scotland between the 17th and 19th centuries. She previously completed an MScR, also at Edinburgh, on the relationship between the Scientific Revolution and Scottish supernatural belief in the 17th century. She has worked on the Map of Scottish Witchcraft, an interactive digital map showing the location of trials, detentions and executions of Scotland’s accused witches, and has also written a walking tour of the history of witchcraft in Edinburgh.

The talk will be held at Holyrood Park Education Centre, 1 Queen’s Drive, Edinburgh EH8 8HG.