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Witch's cursing bone

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from Glen Shira, Inveraray, Argyll

Postcard of Witch's cursing bone.
000-100-002-753-C
© National Museums Scotland

Witch's cursing bone

This 'cursing bone' belonged to a reputed witch in Glen Shira at Inveraray in Argyll who supposedly used it to 'ill-will' people in the community. The blood of a newly-killed hen was poured through the bone as a curse was spoken, according to a local tradition collected by Lady Elspeth Campbell.

The bone is the thigh bone of a deer or sheep, fixed through a naturally formed, diamond-shaped piece of bog oak (in which a knot has left a hole).


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Online ID: 000-100-002-753-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NO 78
Date: Possibly 19th century
Material: Bone / bog oak
Dimensions: 110 mm x 70 mm
What: Charm
Subject: Jewellery: charms, amulets (NMAS Classification)
Who:
Where:
Event:
Description: Witch's cursing-bone, fixed through a diamond-shaped piece of bog oak
References:
  • Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 78 (1943-4), p 141 
Translations:
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