TOP FIVE: The real history of Scotland’s witches

Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature

This week, we’re returning to one of our most popular episodes, which was first released in May 2022.

Jackie was joined by Dr Ciaran Jones, the lead researcher and author of a report on the links between NTS properties and the witch trials of the 16th-18th centuries.

Why did Scotland try to execute five times as many so-called witches as the rest of the Europe? What fuelled 4,000 people, the vast majority of them women, to be accused of witchcraft? Why were wires inserted into suspected witches? And what was it that finally drew this dark chapter of Scottish history to an end?

This episode looks at the dark past of witch trials – a story that may sound like it belongs in the history books – and the relevance they have to the way we live – and let live – today.

Next week, we go further back in time to find out more about the Roman invasion of Scotland.

New episodes of Love Scotland will return later in 2024.