Penicuik Witches Memorial unveiled

27th April 2025

A memorial to 11 women who were falsely accused of witchcraft in the 1660’s in Penicuik was unveiled by the Provost of Midlothian , Debbi McCall yesterday. The distinctive artwork is located next to the Penicuik Heritage Trail panel erected earlier in the year in St Mungo’s Churchyard which gives some background to the witch trials that took place in Penicuik illustrating something of the more darker side of Scottish history .

Over 50 people attended the event and were able to view the artwork with the names of the 11 women who were accused and killed inscribed on a small plaque at the stem of the metal floral piece: Christian Thomesoun,Isabel Dryburgh,Margaret Smaill,Janet Bishop,Jenet Pennycuik,Margaret Cuthbertson, Anne Pursell, Christian Simon, Christian Purdie,Agnes Elphinston and Mareon Twidie.