On September 13, 1678, the legal machinery of the Scottish courts turned toward James Campbell, a resident of Winton, who stood accused of witchcraft under case reference C/EGD/688. The proceedings, which were scheduled to take place in Edinburgh that same day, represented a critical moment in the enforcement of the 1563 Witchcraft Act. Despite the gravity of the charges brought against him, James failed to present himself before the court to answer the accusations levied by his accusers.
Because James did not appear for his trial, the court took immediate and severe action to address his absence. Under the legal processes of the era, he was formally declared a fugitive from justice. Following this declaration, he was "put to the horn"—a ceremonial and legal act involving the blowing of a horn at the market cross to announce him an outlaw. By this decree, James was cast outside the protection of the law, marking the final entry in the documented proceedings of his case.