Issobell Fergussone, a resident of Newbattle, found herself at the centre of an intense period of judicial scrutiny in the summer of 1661. Although records concerning her age present conflicting figures—ranging from a youthful 29 to the more widely cited 71—she had carried a local reputation for alleged witchcraft for four decades. Having previously lived at the "stemare" in Liberton Parish before relocating to Dalkeith, Issobell became a pivotal figure in a wider network of accusations. Her movements and social connections likely served to bridge the gap between the suspected witches of Liberton and Dalkeith, and she further entrenched her position within these legal proceedings by denouncing several individuals from the latter community.
The nature of the charges against Issobell, which included attendance at witches’ meetings and the infliction of damage upon livestock, occurred against a backdrop of personal moral allegations, specifically charges of fornication and adultery. It has been observed that the identification of the Devil as a figure named William Twedie may have been an interpretive retelling of an extramarital affair. Between early June and August of 1661, Issobell provided a series of confessions to the authorities. Following a final confession on August 3rd, the same day as her trial in Edinburgh, she was found guilty. Three days later, on August 6th, 1661, the sentence was carried out; Issobell was executed by strangulation and burning.