The Scottish witchcraft trials of the 16th – 18th centuries.

A Compelling Talk and Guided Walk with Author Philip Paris

Join Philip Paris, bestselling author of The Last Witch of Scotland (Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2024), for a compelling talk exploring the extraordinary history of the Scottish witchcraft trials and the tragic story of Janet Horne, the last person in Britain to be executed for witchcraft (Dornoch, 1727).

Through meticulous research and powerful storytelling, Philip Paris will examine how fear, superstition, and power shaped the witchcraft trials, and how Janet Horne’s local case fits into this wider national history. He will also discuss the research and writing process behind The Last Witch of Scotland, separating myth from evidence and reflecting on how these stories continue to resonate today.

The talk will be followed by an optional walk to the nearby stone associated with Janet Horne, offering an opportunity to reflect on the landscape, the history it holds, and the legacy of those accused of witchcraft.

This event forms part of the Spring Highland Festival and is suitable for a general audience with an interest in the Scottish witchcraft trials, the case of Janet Horne and the process of writing an historical fiction. Copies of the novel will be available in the museum.

Tickets, £10 per person
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