Scotland closer to formal apology for those accused of witchcraft

More than three hundred years after the Witchcraft Act was quashed, a member’s bill in the Scottish parliament has secured the support of the Scottish National Party to clear the names of those accused of witchcraft.

Campaigners for the justice of those accused and convicted under the Witchcraft Act 1563-1736, including the Witches of Scotland group are set to receive official apologies for the people who were tried as witches – two-thirds of whom were executed and burned between 1563 and 1736.

A total estimated number of 3,837 people – 84 percent of whom were women – were sentenced to their violent deaths after being accused of witchcraft, such as cursing the king’s ships, shape-shifting into animals and birds, or dancing with the devil.

Source: Scotland closer to formal apology for those accused of witchcraft

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