From the earliest of times and in many countries people have believed in the existence of witches, wizards and sorcerers. Such strange beings, working in hand with the Devil, were supposed to be able to alter the course of nature's laws. Helped by Satan's power, they used glamour, charm and spells to cast terror and hurt their neighbours. They were capable of all kinds of mischief and wickedness against those unfortunate enough to have fallen foul of them.

The village of Crawick, near Sanquhar in Upper Nithsdale, was well-known for witches and appears to have been a sort of headquarters for the sisterhood. Their antics were talked about locally and far and wide. Many tales were told of meetings at the "Witches Stairs" - a huge rock among the linns of Crawick Water. There in the company of other witches from all over the country, they planned their evil deeds and cast their spells to hurt those they didn't like.

Sometimes the farmer's best cow would stop giving milk, a mare wouldn't have a foal, or the churn would be spellbound, and churn again, but no butter would come.

There was an old, local farmer who was terribly annoyed by those witches who he believed brought him much harm. One time all his milk kept going sour and no one was able to explain why. At last it was decided that witchcraft was the cause, but in spite of all the potions and charms used, the spell remained unbroken.

Driven to his wits end, the old farmer went to the minister to explain what had been happening, telling him which of the Crawick witches he suspected.

When the minister had heard his story he gave him the following instructions. First, he was to go home and take all the milk that was left in the house, and having made sure that none was left, put it into a large pot and set it on the kitchen fire. He had also to see that all his milk dishes were thoroughly cleaned in hot water.

Next a man had to set off on horseback to the house where the suspected witch lived and take a piece of divot from any part of the roof except the east corner. Once this was done, to gallop back as quickly as possible and put the horse in the stable.

Into the divot taken from the witch's house a pin was to be stuck for every cow the old farmer possessed and then put into the pot of milk boiling on the fire. Another divot was to be placed on the top of the chimney, the windows all screened and the door locked. The entire household was to remain indoors with the exception of a boy who was to look out for the witch coming, as come she would, and in great pain because for every bubble made by the boiling milk she would feel as if a pin had been stuck in her.

On no account, however, was she to be let into the house unless she repeated the Lord's Prayer correctly. If she did that the spell would be broken, cows and milk would all be made right and she herself freed from torture.

The instructions were fully carried out and a boy sent to the top of a knowe, a short distance from the house, to watch for the coming of the witch.

He didn't have long to wait, for in a short time he saw her coming directly from Crawick running as fast as she could. She was soon at the door and evidently in great distress cried out to be let in. She was informed that admittance would only be allowed after she had correctly repeated the Lord's Prayer.

This at first she refused to do, but finding all efforts for admission fruitless she made an attempt at the prayer and began by saying: "Oor taither which wart in heaven". She continued the words in this style but was plainly told that unless she repeated the words correctly and in a proper manner she would not get into the house.

All this time the milk was boiling on the kitchen fire and the witch appeared in agony.

At last, unable to hold out any longer, she repeated the prayer properly and was then allowed to enter. She immediately ran to the fire and took off the pot, breaking the spell. The witch got immediate relief from her pains, the cows and milk did well ever after and the old farmer was never troubled with witches again.