Scotland’s history is steeped in mystery, superstition, and tragic tales of persecution, and few stories are as haunting as the Renfrewshire Witch Hunt of 1697. At Paisley Tours, we bring this chilling past to life, offering the only dedicated witch tour in Paisley, uncovering the truth behind one of Scotland’s last mass witch trials.
But the Paisley Witch Trials were not an isolated event. They were part of a wider wave of witch hunts that swept across Scotland and beyond. Join us as we explore how our local history connects with the darker chapters of Scotland’s past, from the burning stakes of Edinburgh to the haunted ruins of Aberdeenshire.
Paisley and the Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697
The Paisley Witch Hunt of 1697 was one of the most infamous cases of mass hysteria in Scotland. It began when Christian Shaw, an 11-year-old girl, accused local men and women of bewitching her, leading to a chain of accusations, trials, and ultimately, executions.
On 10th June 1697, six innocent people were strangled and burned at the stake at Gallows Green, marking one of the last major executions for witchcraft in Scotland. The event left a lasting imprint on Paisley, with legends of curses, hauntings, and restless spirits still whispered about today.
At Paisley Tours, we take you on a journey through this eerie past, retracing the footsteps of the accused, exploring the sites of their suffering, and separating truth from folklore.
But Paisley’s witch hunt was just one of many. Across Scotland, thousands of people—mostly women—were persecuted under the Witchcraft Acts, with trials, torture, and executions occurring for over 200 years.
Scotland’s Other Notorious Witch Hunts
The North Berwick Witch Trials (1590-1592)
One of the earliest and most famous witch hunts in Scotland, the North Berwick Trials saw over 70 people accused of witchcraft—including nobles, healers, and even a schoolmaster. The hysteria began when King James VI, convinced that witches had tried to sink his ship, personally oversaw brutal interrogations.
The Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1661-1662
The largest wave of witch trials in Scottish history, this nationwide persecution led to hundreds of executions, with suspected witches burned at the stake across towns like Edinburgh, Fife, and Inverness. Many of these so-called witches were healers or midwives, accused of supernatural crimes for simply practising traditional medicine.
The Pittenweem Witch Trials (1704-1705)
Just a few years after Paisley’s tragic events, the fishing village of Pittenweem witnessed its own brutal witch trials. A boy’s false accusations led to the death of Beatrix Laing, and others were tortured and killed, despite growing scepticism about witch hunts at the time.
Experiencing Witch Trial History Today
Scotland’s chilling witchcraft history is remembered in sites, museums, and tours across the country, where visitors can step back in time and uncover the truth behind the myths.
🕯️ Edinburgh’s Witches
The Edinburgh Dungeon and Real Mary King’s Close tell the city’s dark tales, including the story of Agnes Sampson, a victim of the North Berwick Witch Trials.
The Witches’ Well at Edinburgh Castle is a poignant memorial to the hundreds executed under Scotland’s brutal witch laws.
🕯️ Fife’s Witch History
The coastal town of Pittenweem still bears reminders of its deadly witch trials, including the Covenanter’s Prison, where accused witches were held in horrific conditions.
🕯️ The National Witch Memorial in Stirling
In 2022, Scotland officially pardoned those accused of witchcraft, and Stirling’s Witch Memorial now stands as a symbol of remembrance.
Join Us for the Ultimate Witch Tour in Paisley
At Paisley Tours, we don’t just tell stories—we bring history to life. The Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697 Tour is the only dedicated witch tour in Paisley, offering an immersive experience that uncovers the tragedy, terror, and lasting legacy of Scotland’s witch trials.
Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of the accused, explore the haunted history of Paisley, and uncover the truth behind Scotland’s witch hunts?
🔮 Book your tour today and discover Paisley’s dark past!
📍 Visit the event page for tour details and bookings.
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