In the summer of 1603, the legal machinery of Edinburgh turned its attention toward James Reid, a 38-year-old servant residing in Musselburgh, within the parish of Inveresk. By the time of his appearance before the court on July 21, James had already laboured under a reputation for occult involvement for thirteen years. His judicial proceedings, recorded under case number C/EGD/137, formalised grave allegations that extended beyond mere suspicion. The charges brought against him included the formation of a pact with demonic forces and participation in illicit meetings of witches, activities that were further substantiated by testimonies from other trials. Notably, both Jonet Chrystie and her mother identified James as a direct accomplice in their own legal entanglements.
The accusations against James were not confined to the metaphysical realm, as they also encompassed tangible harm to the community’s infrastructure. The record notes that he was held responsible for documented damage to local crops and livestock, linking his perceived spiritual transgressions to the material hardship of his neighbours. Following the trial (T/LA/876) held in Edinburgh on that same day in July, the court returned a verdict of guilty. Consequently, James was taken to Castle Hill, where his sentence was carried out; he was put to death through the method of strangulation followed by burning.
