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/JO/3247 Donald McIllmichall

name of accused
Donald McIllmichall
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/JO/3085
Case date start
27/10/1677
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

  • demonic (secondary characteristic)
  • other (secondary characteristic)
  • other (primary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
  • other text theft
Characterisation Notes
This was mostly about theft but he the confessed to attending meetings, which sound like outdoor conventicles, but which were identified as devilish. Claimed one of the meetings was at a fairy mound.

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
He was told not to tell anyone about the meetings but he did not keep his word and told another man. In punishment he was struck on his cheek.
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

  • Witches meeting
  • Devil present
  • Dancing
Notes
Saw a gathering of men and women led by an old man. There were lots of candles and he saw them dancing. He said that a woman took his details. He judged the men to have been 'worldie' men or men 'ordayned of god'. They asked if he was baptised (he was) but did not give him a new name. I think this sounds like some form of outdoor religious meeting.

Meeting places

  • Ardturr and Glackiriska, Appin Hilltop
  • Lismore
  • Shian of Barcaldine Fairy mound

musical instruments

  • Trump

Folk culture

Notes
Confessed that the devil told him about stolen goods. Said that he met the others on top of the hill on a Sabbath.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Finding lost goods

Elf/fairy elements

  • Fairy hill

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • Sabbath

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

  • Theft
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
Highland Papers Vol III, p 36-8. None