Forres Witches Stone

In Forres, just east of the center of town, a rather large boulder sits at the base of Cluny Hill. This rock is wedged into a wall and rests in front of the municipal Police Station. On it is a sign that reads: “From Cluny Hill witches were rolled in stout barrels through which spikes were driven. Where the barrels stopped they were burned with their mangled contents. This stone marks the site of one such burning.” Though there is no date mentioned, there are theories that it is associated with a story involving King Duncan who was said to have been bewitched in the 11th century. It also can be attributed to what is often referred to as Scotland’s 16th-century witch craze. Under the Scottish Witchcraft Act 1563, the practice of witchcraft and consulting with witches were both considered capital offenses

During the period that followed, the country saw an estimated 4,000 people put to death, accused of practicing the dark arts. These governmental sanctioned acts of cruelty eventually ceased during the Reformation. The law was not overturned until the middle of the 18th century. One may also notice that the large stone is broken in several places and held together with a giant metal clasp. It has been suggested that boulder was initially broken up to be used towards the construction of several homes. But when the occupants became ill, the stones were returned to the original location, possibly out of suspicion that the stone held a curse.