See the New Tartan Pattern Created to Honor Women Accused of Witchcraft in Scotland Between 1563 and 1736

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The black, red, gray and pink design honors the thousands of individuals—mostly women—who were persecuted under the Scottish Witchcraft Act



Between 1563 and 1736, thousands of individuals were executed under Scotland’s Witchcraft Act. Designed to enforce godliness in the newly Protestant country, the law condemned anyone who appeared to be conspiring with the devil, though women were the most common targets.

Now, a new Scottish tartan is memorializing the victims of the Witchcraft Act. The black, gray, red and pink pattern was officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans in February and will soon be incorporated into kilts and other garments.

The tartan was created by Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi, who founded the Witches of Scotland campaign in 2020. The two women and their supporters are seeking a pardon, an apology and a national memorial in honor of all those accused and convicted of witchcraft during the law’s 173-year reign.

So far, they’ve achieved at least one of their goals. In 2022, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, issued a formal apology to the Scots who were persecuted under the law. The Church of Scotland also apologized for its historic role in the witch hunts.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-new-tartan-pattern-created-to-honor-women-accused-of-witchcraft-in-scotland-between-1563-and-1736-180986172/