Thousands of Scottish ‘witches’ may get pardon

Thousands of Scots convicted of witchcraft could be pardoned after almost 300 years.

Natalie Don, the SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, has launched consultation on a Member’s Bill to “right the historic wrong of witchcraft convictions”.

It follows a posthumous apology issued by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on International Women’s Day, in March, to those convicted, vilified or executed under the Witchcraft 1563 Act.

Around 4,000 Scots were accused of witchcraft, which remained illegal until 1736. Around 85 per cent of those convicted were women.