A new exhibition curated by the charity Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland (RAWS) will explore the history of the Scottish witch trials and shine a spotlight on the stories of the accused in South Ayrshire.
Located at the Carnegie Library in Ayr, 'A Godlike Manner: The Accused Witches of South Ayrshire' will be open from today (Friday, November 22) and run until Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Visitors will be able to delve into the history of the accused witches of Scotland; discover stories of local legends and folklore; and unravel the timeline of how the "witch panic" escalated.
The exhibition will tell the stories prominent figures such as Agnes Campbell, Patrick Lowrie, and Reverend William Adair, and examine the historical accuracy of the tales we know so well about legendary witches Cutty Sark and Maggie Osborne.
The exhibition will also feature a memorial to the 64 accused witches of South Ayrshire.
A sculpture called "Jonet" has also been installed outside the Cutty Sark Centre on Ayr High Street in remembrance of South Ayrshire’s accused witches, as part of the ongoing collaborative work with RAWS.
Members of the public can drop by any time of day to view the view sculpture by local artist Vanessa Lawrence.
South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs, Councillor Alec Clark said: "We can’t deny the impact of the Scottish witch trials on South Ayrshire’s history, and the exhibition pays a respectful tribute to those who were persecuted, many of whom lost their lives. I would encourage everyone to pay a visit to this fascinating and insightful exhibition."
Secretary of Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland, Laurna Cron, said: "Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland have been working with South Ayrshire Council over the last few years on researching those who were accused in this area.
"We are delighted to be working with South Ayrshire Libraries on the exhibition and the series of upcoming talks and workshops to be held in the libraries of the area."
You can find out more about the exhibition and view the opening times for the Carnegie Library on the Destination South Ayrshire website here.
More information on a series of talks and workshops in South Ayrshire Libraries will be provided as it becomes available.
Daily Record 22/11/24
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