Beacon may return to remember ‘witches’

CONSULTATION: Public views sought on plan to rebuild former lighthouse at Torryburn

A 200-year-old lighthouse could be reinstated in Fife as a memorial to women persecuted for witchcraft.

The Beamer beacon, which guarded the Beacon Rock off the coast of Rosyth for 185 years, was dismantled in 2011 to make way for the new Queensferry Crossing.

And it could now be rebuilt at Torryburn as part of plans to commemorate those persecuted for witchcraft including local woman Lilias Adie, who died in prison in 1704 while awaiting trial.

Lilias faced being burned at the stake having confessed, after prolonged interrogation and possibly torture, to having a “tryst” with the devil.

Supporting the campaign for a memorial are local community councils and Fife councillors Kate Stewart, Mino Manekshaw and Bobby Clelland.

Ms Stewart said it is important members of the public are given a chance to have their say on the plans.

The plans will be on display at Torryburn and Newmills Community Centre at 7pm next Thursday, when people will be able to give feedback.

“We’d love to see the creation of a memorial at Torryburn, dedicated to the memory of Lilias Adie and more generally to the many thousands of mainly women persecuted as ‘witches’ in early modern Scotland,” said Ms Stewart.

“It would help to reposition them away from the misguided modern Halloween-style perception of fun they have become. They were the innocent victims of an unimaginable injustice.

“The council has a potentially readymade piece of monumental architecture in the form of the 1840s Beamer navigation beacon which has its own ties to Torryburn.

“It was designed by Stevenson, whose nanny for 20 years, Alison Cunningham, was born in Torryburn.

“We’re keen to gauge public opinion on its possible repositioning and use for such an iconic role.”

It follows a recent campaign to highlight the story of Lilias, with efforts also under way to find her missing remains.

A wreath laying ceremony was recently held at her final resting place, which is marked by a stone slab in the mud at the Torryburn coast.

Believed to be the only witch grave in Scotland, missing from the lair is Lilias’ skull and part of her skeleton.

The story went global after capturing the imaginations of news outlets, researchers and members of the public worldwide.

Fife Council archaeologist Douglas Speirs said: “Fife, and specifically Torryburn, the site of Lilias’ unique revenant grave, is a particularly good place for such a memorial. Given the sad fact that in Fife possibly more witches than any other county in Scotland were accused and executed.”

“We’d love to see the creation of a memorial at Torryburn, dedicated to the memory of Lilias Adie and more generally to the many thousands of mainly women persecuted as ‘witches’ in early modern Scotland. KATE STEWART

A facial reconstruction of Lilias Adie who died in prison in 1704 while awaiting trial for witchcraft.