The Paisley Witches

In 1696, when witchcraft was against the law in Scotland, Paisley saw a famous case of witch-hunting....

Christian Shaw, the ten-year-old daughter of the laird of Bargarran near Erskine, fell mysteriously ill.

Katherine had shouted curses at Christian in a fit of rage, but nowadays we do not think that Christian was bewitched. Perhaps, after their quarrel, she accused Katherine out of spite. Perhaps, afraid of witches and shocked by Katherine's words, she believed that she had been bewitched, and the belief itself made her ill.

Whatever the explanation the men and woman she accused were tried as witches, and seven of them were found guilty. One died in prison and the others were executed on Gallow Green, at the west end of Paisley. Their remains were buried at a crossroad's and a horseshoe set in the road; this was suppose to prevent their spirits from returning to trouble the living. The horseshoe can still be seen where Maxwellton Street crosses George Street, a reminder of an unhappy part of Paisley's history.