In the late summer of 1590, Bessie Roy, a woman of lower socioeconomic status residing in the Aberdeenshire community of Fetterneir, found herself caught within the widening legal reach of the Scottish witch trials. Employed as a nurse—possibly a wet nurse—to the Laird of Boquhane, Bessie maintained a stable domestic life, having lived with a male partner for twelve years, a relationship that functioned as a common-law marriage. Her daily existence was defined by the domestic rhythms of her parish, including gathering with other local women to pick lint, yet her social connections ultimately drew the scrutiny of the authorities. She was also noted to have served as a domestic for both Leslie and Achinleck, individuals who were documented as having consulted her specifically on matters of witchcraft.
As the judicial proceedings moved from the local level to the capital, Bessie’s reputation became increasingly entangled with those of other women accused of similar crimes. Her name appeared repeatedly in the testimonies of Jonet Grant, Janet Clark, Barbara Keand, Bessie Paull, and Marion Bruce, all of whom identified her as an accomplice. Despite these persistent accusations and her involvement in the process concerning Leslie and Achinleck, the legal outcome for Bessie was distinct. On 18 August 1590, when her case was brought before the court in Edinburgh, the proceedings concluded with a verdict of not guilty, marking an end to her involvement in the formal trial process.