'Something wicked this way comes' springs to mind when it comes to the Scottish Register of Tartans' newcomer. With great anticipation, the Witches of Scotland Tartan was unveiled last week, and we couldn't be more excited.
The story of the Witches of Scotland Tartan begins in 1486 when Henrich Kramer, a German Catholic Clergyman, published the Malleus Maleficarum: the Hammer of Witches. The book outlined the perceived dangers of witchcraft and provided instructions for identifying, prosecuting and punishing witches.Â
At the time of its publishing, the book was condemned for recommending illegal procedures and for being inconsistent with Roman Catholic doctrines of demonology. However, many inquisitors, judges and witch hunters embraced the text, and by the late 15th century, it was spreading rapidly across Europe; its popularity fueled by the recent invention of the printing press.
The book's influence inspired the introduction of the Witchcraft Act of 1542 by Henry VIII in England, which defined witchcraft as a crime punishable by death and was repealed in 1547 under the reign of Edward VI.Â
The Act saw a resurgence in 1563 when it was reintroduced in England and extended its reach to Wales under the reign of Elizabeth I. The revised law imposed imprisonment for a first offence, while a second offence carried the death penalty by hanging.
In 1563, Scotland introduced its first Witchcraft Act under the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. Unlike its English counterpart, which distinguished between minor and severe offences, Scotland’s law was far more severe. It declared all forms of witchcraft a capital crime, meaning that anyone accused and convicted of practising witchcraft faced execution without exception.
Those convicted under the Act were hanged before being burned at the stake; a method thought to prevent their spirits from seeking revenge. Unlike in England, where witches were hanged, the Scottish practice of burning was influenced by continental European traditions, particularly from France and Germany, where similar methods were used.
The Witches of Scotland is a campaign founded by Claire Mitchell KC and Zoe Venditozzi, which seeks to honour and achieve justice for the thousands of individuals, predominantly women, who were persecuted for witchcraft in Scotland between the 16th and 18th centuries.Â
Between 1563 and 1736, an estimated 3,837 people were accused of witchcraft in Scotland, with the most intense persecution occurring between 1649 and 1650, during the height of the Scottish Witch Hunts.
This period saw a surge in trials fueled by political instability, religious extremism, and widespread fear of supernatural threats. Accusations were often based on confessions extracted under torture, local rivalries, or suspicions of unnatural events such as failed harvests or sudden illnesses.
Of the 3,837 people accused, approximately 2,500 were executed, making Scotland's execution rate for witch trials one of the highest in Europe relative to its population.Â
The Witches of Scotland Campaign aims to:
1) Achieve a pardon for those convicted of witchcraft
2) Gain an apology for all those accused and convicted of witchcraft
3) Create a national memorial to respect the memory of those accused and convicted of witchcraft
To date, they are on track with the final outstanding task of achieving a pardon, and with their memorial gaining attention, they are one step closer to achieving that.Â
Inspired after a visit to the V&A Dundee's Tartan exhibition, Claire and Zoe envisioned a living memorial that can cross continents and be embraced by everyone everywhere, rather than a stationary statue.
With the collaboration of Clare Campbell, founder of the Prickly Thistle Tartan Mill, the Witches of Scotland Tartan has been brought to life, encapsulating everything the campaign stands for. Every element in this British-made tartan has been carefully thought out and carries deep significance:
Black Threads: 173 black threads represent the 173 years the Witchcraft Act was enforced in Scotland
Red Accents: Symbolize the bloodshed of those who suffered
Grey Hues: Reflect the ashes of those who were burned
Pink Highlights: Denote the legal tapes that bound trial documents of the era
Three Stripes: Embody the campaign's threefold mission: securing a pardon, obtaining a formal apology, and establishing national memorials for the victims
The Witches of Scotland Tartan is more than just fabric. It smashes boundaries, becoming not only a living memorial for those persecuted but a symbol of justice, unification and even a new Women's Rights Movement.
With violence against women and girls being declared a National Emergency in the UK as of July 2024, this tartan carries profound significance. Beyond being a tribute to those persecuted in the past, it has the power to spark crucial conversations about modern-day abuse, misogyny, and safety concerns.Â
By keeping these issues in the public eye, it can serve as a symbol of solidarity and a catalyst for actionable change, encouraging discussions on policy reforms, societal attitudes, and the ongoing fight for women’s rights.
Set to go into production in the coming weeks, the Witches of Scotland Tartan will be available for purchase this summer, becoming a beautiful addition to Britain's rich heritage of textile craftsmanship.
The question is, will you be picking up some Witches of Scotland Tartan?