Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland

On May 13^th, I attended a packed workshop, held within the museum space of Clydebank Library. I was not sure what to expect. What followed was a very informative and moving account, from the ladies of RAWS, of the lives and deaths of very real people.

RAWS – Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland – is a registered charity whose purpose is to raise awareness of horrific injustices inflicted upon women and men wrongly accused of witchcraft.

The numbers are staggering: in Scotland over 4,000 people, mostly women were accused. So, figures much higher than Salem and yet we are largely ignorant of this part of our own history.

We heard how you could be accused of witchcraft if you expressed an unfavourable opinion; had a dispute with a neighbour; were in any way ‘different' or even had a mole or birthmark on your person.

To set the records straight and to acknowledge the accused, RAWS has secured apologies from both the Government and the Church.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon apologised, in 2022, on behalf of the Scottish Government and the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland apologised for historical wrongs.

The Church has said that it stands in solidarity with victims (and their descendants) and continues to affirm the dignity of those who suffered so much, in  particular the some 2,000 people put to death.

It is vital that these, our fellow human beings, are not forgotten.

RAWS has a wealth of knowledge and resources if you are interested in following up on individual stories. They are also working towards the creation of a National memorial.

Louise Wilson, a local resident and Secretary of RAWS ended our session by reading out the names of those, locally accused or who lost their lives and for me this was the most moving part of the whole experience.

More information visit RAWS social media, website or email [email protected]