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The existence of witches may be the stuff of legend to us, but in 16th century Scotland people believed in magic and supernatural beings, and the fear people had for witches was real. It led to hundreds of innocent women being executed for imaginary crimes, and in the case of Geillis Duncan, the personal involvement of James VI, King of Scots.

Geillis was a young woman who lived in Tranent in East Lothian, working as a maid servant to a man named David Seaton. She was accused of sneaking out at night to sell her soul to the devil for healing powers, when in reality, she was probably trying to live her life – socialising, courting… and trying to avoid spending time in the house of an unpredictable and violent employer.

In reality, witches were innocent, terrified, tortured, falsely accused people who were stereotyped by others in their society. A reminder which is valid even now of the dangers of jumping to conclusions about people who are perceived to be different in some way.

Witch Hunt is also a longer podcast series from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland, available on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds.