Welcome to Peebles Witch Trials Walking Tours

Step into a dark & fascinating period in local history & explore the 17th century Scottish Borders witch hunt, with knowledgeable, friendly & accessible guided tours.

Discover the harrowing & deeply human stories of 27 men, women, & children "vehementlie accused of witchcraft" in 1629. Join us as we walk through Peebles, visit key historical landmarks, & uncover a dark chapter of town history that lay hidden for centuries.

Please Note: This tour is strictly Adults Only (16+)

 

A person dressed in dark clothing holding a lantern on a cobblestone street at night, surrounded by leafless trees with cobwebs, with old stone buildings on either side, illuminated by streetlights.
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About the Tour & Founder

Bringing History Back to Life

Peebles Witch Trials Walking Tours was born out of a deep community effort to remember & honour those who lost their lives during the darkest chapter in our town's history.

Local singer songwriter & actor Sharon King created the walking tours after taking part in the moving 2026 community play Rope & Flame. Inspired by the performance & The Witches of Scotland Campaign, Sharon set out to bring these true stories off the stage & into the locations where events took place. The tour also takes in the wider context of the Scottish Witch Trials.

Tour at a Glance

  • Age Requirement: Adults Only (16+)

  • Duration: 70 minutes

  • Distance: 1 mile (Walking level; easy but with steps & some rough ground)

  • Cost: £15 per person

    (Group discounts, accessible & private tours are available, please contact us)

  • Times: 12:00 PM (Monday, Thursday, Saturday)

  • Meeting Point: Memorial Plaque on Tweed Green, Peebles, EH45 8AR.

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Photos: Mike Bolam

About the History & Memorial Plaque

Remembering the Accused

Under the Scottish Witchcraft Act of 1563, thousands of innocent people across Scotland were accused & executed. In 2022, following pressure by The Witches of Scotland campaign, the First Minister of Scotland offered an official state apology—formally recognizing this injustice for the first time in over 300 years.

Our tours begin at the Tweed Green Memorial Plaque, raised in October 2022 after a campaign by locals Elisa Smith & Simon Ritchie. The plaque bears the names of 27 ‘guid folk’ & pays tribute to just some of the 61 people accused in Peebles. The memorial stands as a permanent site of reflection & remembrance.

Inspiration & Recommended Reading

Our walking tour was born out of the 2026 community play Rope & Flame, presented by Dragonfly Theatre & written & directed by Anita John, Clare Prenton, & Vivien Reid.

Local historian Mary W. Craig laid the groundwork for Rope & Flame in her chapter on Peebles in Borders Witch Hunt, first published in 2020. ISBN: 978-1788853385

We also extend our gratitude to authors Claire Mitchell & Zoe Venditozzi, founders of The Witches of Scotland campaign, for their ongoing dedication to shining a light into the truths of these dark times. How to Kill a Witch; a guide for the patriachy. ISBN: 978-1800961906