Thomas Weir

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Thomas Weir (Carluke, South Lanarkshire 1599 -Edinburgh 1670) was a Scottish soldier and presumed occultist, executed for witchcraft.

He served under James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, as a Covenanter lieutenant. He was known as the "Bowhead Saint", and was reputed a pious Presbyterian[1]. He was strangled and burned, at the Gallowlee[2] between Edinburgh and Leith[3]. This followed a public confession of incest with his sister Jean, who was also executed[4].

The story of Weir has been proposed as an influence on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson[5].

[edit] References

  • David Stevenson, Major Weir: a justified sinner?, Scottish Studies, 16 (1972)

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Clan Weir
  2. ^ Edinburgh and The Lothians
  3. ^ Grassmarket- Edinburgh.Com - History- Major Thomas Weir
  4. ^ Major Weir Scottish Clans Tartans Kilts Crests and Gifts
  5. ^ BBC - Press Office - Ian Rankin investigates Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for BBC Four

[edit] External links

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