Witches Knowe

The CUNNIGAR HILL in Mid Calder was infamous for the burning of witches. Between 1640 and 1700 many poor women were tortured into admitting casting spells. They confessed to being " a common charmer and a heinous and notorious witch." in a trial which was usually held in the church. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of fear and ignorance amongst ordinary folk who were probably warring neighbours who got caught up in the fearvour of the day.
King James VI was perticularly superstitious and when a storm threatened to sink his ship, on return from Denmark with his royal bride, many witches at North Berwick confessed it had been their doing. So began the terrible persecution. More than 3,000 men and women in Scotland were burned or drowned in the years between 1560 and 1700 for witchcraft
The Kirk of Calder Parish Church now holds an early morning service on the hill on Easter Sunday every year.