Hidden Britain AtlasOpen the map
All places › Witches & witch trials
Witches

Kate McNiven

Knock of Crieff, Perthshire

A nursemaid burned on a hill, cursing the town as she died.

Legend tells of Kate McNiven, a nursemaid to the lairds of Inchbrakie, who was accused of witchcraft and burned on the Knock of Crieff. As she burned, she is said to have bitten a blue bead from her necklace and thrown it to the laird who tried to save her, saying his family would thrive while they kept it.

Read the full story, see it on the map, get directions and find what else is nearby in the free Hidden Britain Atlas map.

When
Legend
Where
56.3850, -3.8400
Group
Witches & witch trials

Visiting

Woodland paths climb the Knock of Crieff above the town.

Nearby mysteries