In May 1671, the legal machinery of the Scottish witch trials turned toward Katharine Russell, a resident of Posbeg. While archival records suggest some ambiguity regarding her origins—with administrative notes questioning whether she belonged to the parish of Anford—her case was formally captured within the judicial system under reference C/EGD/799. As the proceedings unfolded, Katharine was documented on the Aberdeen roll and subsequently brought before the circuit court to answer for charges of witchcraft.
During the course of the investigation, a confession was formally recorded against Katharine. Despite the gravity of this statement and the intense scrutiny of the circuit court, the final disposition of her case suggests a reprieve from the common outcomes of such accusations. The Aberdeen roll, which tracks the legal status of those accused during this period, bears the notation "Abs" next to her name, indicating that she was ultimately absolved of the charges brought against her.