Janet Wishart, Scotland’s Great Witch
The notorious witch hunts of 1597 condemned Jane Wishart, raising questions about her powers and cementing her as a feared figure in Scottish history.
Around the 16th century, Europe lived under an intense irrational fear caused by the belief in dark forces and supernatural powers. Considering witchcraft a constant threat to the population, Scotland enacted the Scottish Witchcraft Act on June 4, 1563. This law triggered major witch hunts, leading to five significant persecutions. The law was unjust, as one might expect, and the methods to prove suspects’ innocence were, at the very least, ridiculous. Among the proofs of innocence were failing to recite the Lord’s Prayer, having an unusual birthmark, or floating on water instead of sinking. James VI, King of Scotland, led one of these hunts, which would become the second largest, occurring between March and October of 1597. Thousands of innocent suspects and women were killed, including Janet Wishart of Aberdeen, who was considered one of Scotland’s greatest witches.
According to reports, Jane was known in the city as a witch, something she used to her advantage to control people and keep herself safe. Alleged manifestations of her powers date back to 1572 when she cursed five children for reporting her for stealing from a neighbor. Sometime later, two of these children were found drowned in the river…
