The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

1563-1736

By Julian Goodare, Lauren Martin, Joyce Miller and Louise Yeoman, January 2003

The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft logo

Case Details

C/EGD/171 Johnne Colquhoun

name of accused
Johnne Colquhoun
designated title
Sir
Accused Reference
A/EGD/160
Case date start
11/1/1633
Given case date
no information
Case commission
no information
case complaint
no information
case correspondence
no information
case chronicle
no information
other details
no information

characterisation

  • consulting (secondary characteristic)
  • consulting (primary characteristic)
  • other (secondary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
  • other text Weird conspiracy to get a woman
Characterisation Notes
A strange case where he had his servant, Thomas Carlips, make up an enchanted love potion and an enchanted jewel with rubies and diamonds that would make the receiver give herself to the giver.
additional persons
name involvement notes
John Skene Clerk

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
None
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

Notes
None

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
None

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Love magic

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

Notes
None

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

Damage to property

  • no information

weather modification

  • no information

Notes
None

Other charges

  • Consulting
Notes
None

Plea

Claimed bewitched
no
Claimed possessed
no
Admitted lesser charges
no
No defence
no
Claimed natural causes
no
Notes
None
Case Notes
A strange conspiracy to get the younger sister of Colquhoun's wife (who he was fostering) to sleep with him. He eventually took her to London and escaped justice. Seems to be a case of love magic, thereby keeping the sister safe from prosecution.
references
name notes
SJC v1, p. 213-218 None
Books of Adjournal JC2/7 fos. 90r-92v None