Margaret Cunninghame, a married woman residing in the settlement of Carslops in Renfrewshire, became entangled in the judicial machinery of the 1697 Renfrewshire witch trials. In the spring of that year, Margaret was formally indicted on charges that included participating in a witches' meeting, an accusation that carried grave legal and social implications during this period of heightened scrutiny. Her case, documented under reference C/LA/2980, reflects the intense administrative focus placed on suspected diabolical gatherings within the region at the time.
Following her initial indictment on April 13, 1697, the judicial proceedings surrounding Margaret were marked by procedural delays, with her trial being postponed until May 12. After the hearings concluded on May 19, the court reached its final determination. Rather than facing the capital sentences often associated with such accusations, Margaret was ultimately released on caution, marking a significant reprieve within the broader context of the 1697 trials.