Scotland was one of the main areas of the witch-hunt in sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe. During the period of the rule of the Covenanting movement, Scotland witnessed a large-scale witch-hunt. Scottish Parliament had a witch-hunting committee that articulated policies to be implemented against ‘witches’.  In the winter of 1649-50 witch-hunting came to Lanark. The historical records of the Presbytery of Lanark provide details of the events where women accused of being ‘witches’ were held in Lanark Tolbooth. Based on an accusation of witchcraft that had originated in Peebles, the case accelerated through what is modern day South Lanarkshire. George Cathie, the pricker, was brought to Lanark Tolbooth, where the ‘coven’ of ‘witches’ was incarcerated, to find the mark of the Devil on the accused ‘witches’. This took place in front of the local presbytery and also Gideon Jack, who represented Lanark burgh in the Scottish Parliament on a regular basis. We will examine what happened in Lanark Tolbooth in the wider context of witch-hunting in Scotland by looking at historical records of that time.  Lecture style with question and answer time.

‘’With Glasgow celebrating its 850th year, celebrate the fascinating and complex history of our dear green place. Led by Dr John Young from Strathclyde’s Department of Humanities and well-known Scottish historian, this series of seminars and tours will become a regular feature of our programmes”.

Dr John Young teaches courses that are mainly focused on seventeenth century and early eighteenth-century Scotland. He is committed to research-led teaching as well as the teaching of Scottish history within a wider international context. He teaches courses on Scotland, 1707-1832, The Covenanters and the British Civil Wars, the 1707 Act of Union, and Scotland and Ulster in the Early Modern North Atlantic World.

An adult learning class from one of CLL’s satellite facilities, the New Lanark World Heritage Site.

Please note this seminar will run from 10.00-16.00 with an hour break for lunch.