DONALD Trump recently repeated his claims that he was the victim of a “witch hunt”. Hamish Macpherson’s excellent article on the Scottish witch trials (February 16) reminded us of the true horror of the witch hunts, which resulted in around 2,500 people being put to death, mainly by burning and after suffering horrific torture. 85% of these victims were women.
There are few reminders of these events in Scotland, although in recent years there has been growing pressure to remember these atrocities and recognise them appropriately. This could be done in a number of ways.
READ MORE: The story behind Scotland’s witch hunt and trials
There is already a wonderful example of this in New York’s Brooklyn Museum, where Judy Chicago’s celebrated “Dinner Party” remembers tiled images of Scottish witch hunt victims Gelie Duncan and Agnes Sampson among mythical and historical famous women across the world who made a significant mark in history. This was exhibited to great acclaim in 1979 involving 16 venues across six countries, including Edinburgh. A new initiative depicting one of Scotland’s darker episodes would be very timely and welcome.
Joan Skinner
Edinburgh
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