A dark chapter in Scotland’s past when thousands of women were convicted of being witches is to be explored at an event in Perth.
During the 16th and 17th century there was a ferocious drive to root out “devil followers” which led to women being burned at the stake.
Perthshire had some notorious examples and in a talk entitled Witch Hunt, local storyteller and author Jess Smith from Crieff will discuss the local cases of Kate MacNiven, the witch o’ Monzie, and Maggie Walls of Dunning.
Her talk is part of an afternoon of events on Saturday November 26 that has been organised by Perth Burns Club in the AK Bell Library to celebrate St Andrew’s Day.
The Monzie witch was a young nurse who served the House of Inchbrakie near Crieff and has become notorious as one of the last witches burned in Scotland and the last in Perthshire in 1715.
She was said to have cursed the Laird of Monzie and the village before she died.
Jess said the fear of witchcraft was driven by King James 1st who had such a terror of it that he wrote a book on the subject.
“There was no place for ancient paganism, druidism or any form of superstitious mindsets,” she said.
“It was fearsome times for ordinary people.”
Her talk will also explore why some people believe the two local witches didn’t even exist and are just stories.
Other speakers on the day are Professor Ted Cowan, an internationally renowned Professor of Scots History at the University of Glasgow who will speak on The First World War Rhymes of Robert Service, and Elly Taylor, award-winning film producer and director who will present her film Angelou on Burns, about an American poet inspired by Robert Burns.
“Perth Burns Club doesn’t just focus on Robert Burns, but covers all aspects of Scottish literature, art and music,” said secretary Iain Mackintosh.
“Most people are familiar with the annual Burns Supper in January, but we also celebrate St Andrew’s Day each year with a programme of high-quality presenters.”
Running from 1.15pm to 5pm on Saturday, tickets costing £10 (including tea and coffee and snacks) are available from Concorde Music, Perth; The AK.Bell Library, Elliott Boyle (01738 643963), and at the door prior to the event.
