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Witch trials like those in Salem have had their history highly publicised across the world as a part of feminist history . But what about trials a bit closer to home , where thousands were tried and executed as witches in Scotland ?

The Witches of Scotland campaign was set up a year ago on International Women ’ s Day by Claire Mitchell QC and Zoe Venditozzi . It ’ s aiming to achieve a pardon for those accused and convicted as witches , an apology to the accused and convicted , and a national memorial where people can go to respect the memories of the witches of Scotland .

“ I ’ ve always had an interest in Scottish history and the witch trials but from a legal perspective ,” says Claire of the campaign ’ s roots . Upon seeing the Witches ’ Well in Edinburgh and realising that there was no space in Scotland that properly commemorated the people murdered as witches , she went home and decided

to start campaigning for their justice .

Zoe got involved a short time later , and now the campaign has a website , social media presence , a podcast , and has even petitioned the Scottish Parliament for a pardon , an apology , and a memorial . They want to bring “ some dignity to the memory of these people , by not making them witches of Scotland but returning them to women of Scotland .”

The Scottish witch trials saw over 4,000 accusations - far higher than in England - and 2,500 executions . 85 % were women , who were seen as more susceptible to “ the charms of the devil .”

King James IV of Scotland ’ s ( I of England ) book Daemonologie , which studied magic and mythology , fuelled it further . Zoe says that “ people really seemed to love that book , and took it as the green flag to get on and kill more people .” King James also attended the North Berwick witch trials himself , and was considered to be an expert on witchcraft .

It was only in 1735 that the law was changed across the UK , from execution for practicing witchcraft to a fine for “ pretended witchcraft ”. That included “ things like selling a potion to make someone fall in love with you ,” or cursing a neighbour . But society ’ s views of witchcraft didn ’ t change overnight like

the law did , and being accused still often meant you would be ostracised from your family or community out of shame .

Though the campaign has only been running for a year , Witches of Scotland have achieved a lot . Their petition , which achieved over 3,000 signatures , got worldwide attention , in countries Claire says that “ you wouldn ’ t naturally think a Scottish petition with the Scottish Parliament about a Scottish issue would .” They agree that it proves there ’ s a “ worldwide appetite ” for justice to be given to the thousands killed as witches in Scotland .

Their podcast is also a massive achievement , with guests such as Alice Tarbuck and various historical experts who ’ ve helped to improve listeners ’ knowledge of the witch trials . Zoe says : “ I ’ ve ‘ met ’ so many people and it ’ s been a really interesting campaign to be part of ,” even though its production has been online due to the pandemic , “ because it seems to really be capturing people ’ s imaginations .”

You can support the Witches of Scotland campaign by listening to their podcast or having a chat with them on their social media channels . It ’ s always incredibly important to learn the history of witchcraft so we can appreciate the freedoms that we have as practitioners in the 21st century . ☾