(Q112894476)
Statements
She was told to be silent about her visit to the fairies. There were 12 of them, 8 women and 4 men. Indication of how she was questioned to get accomplices and more information. The fairies wanted her to go with them. Loads of information about fairies. Specific roots and herbs were mentioned, including ginger, liquorice, clover, and anis seed. Thom gave her a green thread to help with child birth curing but she lost it. They asked if she supported the Reformed faith, she said that Thom said it was not good, but the old faith needed fixing. 12:00 hour of the day was Thom's most common time to appear. The Queen of Elphan commanded him to wait upon her. She was asked specifically if she met him by lochs and water side, she said only once. (English)
Alastair Hendry has Thom Reid, the man Bessie claimed to learn her craft from, as an Officiare (barony officer) to the Lord of Blair, and killed at the Battle of Pinkie, 10/9/1547. Not sure he was a real person and he pre-dates the survey so I have not made a separate reference for him. Although she confessed to renunciation of baptism we have not ticked demonic as a secondary characterisation as the case was more about fairies than demonic material.Thom Reid was described as having died at Pinkie. She described as a good, elderly man in grey clothes, grey brekins (trousers), white shanks, a black hand, with a white wand. Thom Reid asked her to 'trow' (trust in) him and give up Christianity. She would not do it, but offered to be true in every other way.Thom came to her when she was lamenting the sickness of her cows, husband and children and the land-ill (famine?). She had just risen out of child-bed. He told her to mend her ways with God, what would happen and then disappeared into a hole.Claimed she could accomplish things with the help of Thom Reid (her ghost). He taught her about herbs. Was paid in kind for her healing. Confessed to healing quite rich people. Was asked if she could help with child-birth, said she lost the green thread. (English)
Devil type: Ghost, Described as "Thom Reid" (English)
Devil type: Ghost, Described as "The laird of Auchinsteyth who had died" (English)