The Witches Stone of Monzie

Pity poor Kate McNiven of Monzie. Kate had been the nurse to the Grahams of Inchbrackie, near Monzie in Perthshire, and in 1615 was accused of witchcraft by the Laird of Monzie, including turning herself into a bee.

Despite being elderly, Kate ran away and hid in a small cave near the Shaggy Burn stream. After 3 weeks she was captured, and sentenced to death by 'Fire and Faggot'. She was taken to the top of the hill known as the Knock of Crieff, put into a barrel and rolled down. Just to make sure she was dead, she was then pulled out of the remains of the barrel and set on fire!

Graham of Inchbrackie tried to save her but to no avail, but as she was about to die it is said that she spat a bead from her necklace into his hand. The bead – a blue sapphire – was turned into a ring and it was believed that the ring would keep the family and lands secure.



She also curse the Laird of Monzie with the words
"From father to son, Monzie shall never pass; no heir of line should ever hold the lands now held by him"

and also for the village of Monzie
"In future years, its size and population should decrease, it should hold no share in all the growing prosperity of the surrounding towns, and ever by some hearth amidst its cottage homes there should crawl an idiot with lolling tongue and rolling eyes"



The legend goes that the cursing was successful. The landlord on whose land she died was not able to pass the property on. Monzie withered.

Of course, the land owner who pleaded her case kept the stone near as directed. As the legend goes it always was put on the fingers of the daughter-in-laws and heirs were always produced. Centuries of fecundity were enjoyed until one descendant made the mistake of allowing the stone to be moved outside of the estate. That was the end of the good run and proof of Kate’s powers as a witch.



On a beautiful but misty autumn morning we drove up the A822 towards Monzie Castle. I originally planned to photograph the Monzie Cairn Circle and cup and ring carving, but I was intrigued by Kate McNiven's tale and wanted to photograph the standing stone said to mark the place of her demise, which was nearby.

Like many markers, there isn't much to see at The Witches Stone, except a 4 ft. high, slightly bent monolith in the middle of a field - but it is said to represent Kate's death. It is very atmospheric with the hill in the background. An Autumn mist was in the fields which added to the atmosphere. In reality it is a prehistoric standing stone and is probably associated with the nearby cairn - and no one knows for sure whether Kates sad tale is true or not - but parts of it could be based on truth.



Moving on to the cairn, it was in really good condition and the cup markings were really clear. The cairn is in the region of about 5000 years old, and of course no one knows who made it, but it is one of several in this area of Scotland.