The Respected Citizen Turned Dark Sorcerer
In 17th-century Edinburgh, Major Thomas Weir was the epitome of respectability. A former soldier, a strict Presbyterian, and a pillar of the community, he lived in West Bow, a steep and winding street leading up to Edinburgh Castle. He was admired for his fiery sermons and seen as a man of unshakable virtue. But behind the mask of righteousness lay one of Scotland’s most infamous occultists and confessed sorcerers.
A Soldier’s Shadow
Weir had once served as a Major in the Covenanter army, fighting in the brutal conflicts of the mid-17th century that sought to defend Scotland’s Presbyterian faith. The horrors of war, the loss of comrades, and the relentless violence may have left unseen scars. Some modern scholars speculate that Weir may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—a condition unrecognized in his time. The mental toll of battle, combined with the rigid religious pressures of his faith, could have contributed to his eventual breakdown and shocking confession.
The Shocking Confession
In 1670, without warning or provocation, Weir suddenly confessed to witchcraft, devil-worship, and an array of horrifying crimes, including incest and bestiality. His admission stunned Edinburgh. At first, his followers believed he had lost his mind, but Weir was adamant—he had made a pact with the Devil and had lived a double life for decades.
Authorities arrested Weir, and during interrogation, he revealed chilling details: he claimed that his staff, an intricately carved walking stick, was the source of his power. According to witnesses, it would sometimes move by itself, as if animated by an unseen force. His equally eccentric sister, Grizel Weir, backed up his stories, adding even more bizarre details—she spoke of spectral figures appearing in their home, and unnatural lights glowing in the darkness.
Trial and Execution
Despite the absence of physical evidence, the sheer weight of his confession was enough to seal his fate. Major Weir was sentenced to death by strangulation and burning at the stake at the Grassmarket, the traditional site of execution in Edinburgh.
Before his execution, Weir refused to repent, instead declaring, "Let me alone—I have lived too long!" Once strangled, his lifeless body was cast into the flames, ensuring no trace of him remained.
His sister Grizel suffered a similarly gruesome fate, executed by hanging for her role in the alleged sorcery.
Suicide or Surrender?
While Weir’s confession shocked Edinburgh, some have speculated that his sudden admission was a form of psychological self-destruction—an act of suicide by way of public execution. In an era where suicide was considered both a sin and a crime, it was not uncommon for those suffering from deep despair or mental anguish to seek judgment in a way that would ensure their death. Given his past military service and possible PTSD, Weir’s confession could have been an extreme response to unbearable psychological torment. Was he truly a sorcerer, or simply a tormented soul seeking an end?
The Haunted House of West Bow
After Weir’s death, his house in West Bow was abandoned, and few dared to enter. Whispers of unexplained noises, ghostly apparitions, and eerie lights spread throughout the city. Some claimed to see the silhouette of Weir himself, clutching his enchanted staff as he walked through the darkness. Even in the 19th century, long after the house had been demolished, rumors persisted that West Bow remained cursed by his presence.
The Lasting Legend
The story of Major Thomas Weir is one of Edinburgh’s most terrifying and enduring tales. He was a man who seemingly had it all—status, respect, and power—yet willingly surrendered himself to the flames, declaring his allegiance to forces beyond comprehension. His legend still haunts the city, a chilling reminder that sometimes, the most sinister figures can hide in plain sight.
Even today, as you walk through the shadowed closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town, some say you might still feel the presence of the Wizard of West Bow—waiting in the darkness, staff in hand.
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