The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

1563-1736

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

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Case Details

C/EGD/308 Margaret Gourlay

name of accused
Margaret Gourlay
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/297
Case date start
25/2/1659
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

  • Implicated by another (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Denounced by Janet Millar (c/egd/307).

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
None
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

Notes
Jonet Millar, described a table laid out with 'boylies, beif and bread' at M. Gourlay's house. Janet was offered food but refused. Doesn't specify that it was a witches meeting. Suspicious things were seen, including a black corbie with a black man.

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
Accused of tampering with someone's hearth fire and causing a fire.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Cursing
Notes
None

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

Damage to property

  • no information

weather modification

  • no information

Notes
None

Other charges

  • Fireraising
Notes
None

Plea

Claimed bewitched
no
Claimed possessed
no
Admitted lesser charges
no
No defence
no
Claimed natural causes
no
Notes
None
Case Notes
None
references
name notes
Circuit Court Books JC10/1 fo. 243v, 244v None
Process Notes JC26/26 bundle 3 'Stirling witches', item 3 None
Process Notes JC26/26 bundle 3 'Stirling witches' item 17 arraignment list
Process Notes JC26/26 bundle 3 'Stirling witches', item 13 witness list
Process Notes JC26/26 Stirling Court Roll None