History
While Inverkeithing's historical connection with witches is known to some, this podcast episode helpfully sets context, explores the background to the practice of witch trials, and explores some common questions. Were witches always female? If there historical precedent for any of the traditional witch trappings, of cats, pointy hats and broomsticks? Dr Gavin MacGregor helpfully sets the context from the archaeologist's perspective, while Dr Tom Turpie encourages critical examination of historical evidence, and provides fascinating answers. Do we hear from the victims at witch trials? What sort of factors led to witch trials? Keen listeners can find out more, by reading Stuart MacDonald's book on The Witches of Fife, and Tom also refers to the University of Edinburgh resource, The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, with a database, and links to reliable further sources -http://www.shca.ed.ac.uk/Research/witches/ The range of sources on the internet on this subject is unsurprising, extremely varied.