ABSTRACT
On 26 October 1822 David Ross, the Sheriff-Substitute of Ross-shire, wrote to Adam Rolland of Gask, the Crown Agent, seeking guidance on a very unusual case, enclosing the relevant papers, and stating that ‘Both the Sheriff Depute and I think that the Case may be tried here before a Jury, but in this we will, of course, be directed by you and the Crown Lawyers.’ 1 The Sheriff-Substitute's decision to seek advice was, in the circumstances, understandable. The papers forwarded to Edinburgh for examination were endorsed ‘Witchcraft’.
