The case of Marion Ure, a widowed woman of middling status from Glasgow whose late husband had been a merchant, emerged during a period of heightened communal scrutiny in the spring of 1699. Her involvement in the legal system began following the actions of Margaret Murdoch, the daughter of John Murdoch of Craigtown in the parish of Govan. Margaret, who claimed to be tormented by witches, frequently fell into fits, during which she would publicly denounce various members of her community. These spontaneous accusations were documented by those present, and by April 1699, formal witness testimony regarding these outbursts and their perceived significance was collected in Glasgow.
Although a trial was initially scheduled for Glasgow on May 19, 1699, it does not appear to have taken place as planned. Legal proceedings were subsequently moved to the High Court in Edinburgh, where a dittay and witness statements were formally processed. Following the review of these materials, the diet against Marion was ultimately deserted in 1700. As a result of this decision by the court, Marion was released, bringing the legal proceedings against her to a close.