Mary W. Craig

N.B. This event is now taking place at Greenside Church (1b Royal Terrace, EH7 5AB), which is just a couple minutes walk from the bookshop.

Recent years have seen a renewed effort to uncover and rectify Scotland's bloody history with its supposed witches and their crafts. It is in this spirit which local historian Mary W. Craig writes her latest piece of local history, Agnes Finnie: The 'Witch' of the Potterrow Port.

Agnes Finnie’s story is much more nuanced and more interesting than that of the stereotypical poor defenceless woman persecuted by the Kirk. During the 17th century, Scotland became increasingly seen as a land under threat from the Devil and his handmaidens: witches. Witch hunts were a daily occurrence and a women accused of being a witch would be tried and usually found guilty in a matter of days, even hours. This was not the case for Agnes Finnie, a working woman living in the tenements of Edinburgh. Her whole trial was unusual.

Mary Craig works as a historian with museums, archives and schools and hosts regular, well-attended events on the subject of witchcraft in the Scottish Borders. We expect strong media coverage. The Witches of Scotland campaign has recently gained traction and the attention of first minister Nicola Sturgeon, calling for a pardon and apology to those accused during the witch hunts.