While in Galloway in Scotland, I visited the Wigtown Martyr's Stake. The importance of this monument is that it marks the spot where Margaret Maclauchlan (around 63 years of age) and Margaret Wilson (around 18 years of age) were tied up on stakes and left to drown in the rising tide in the mudflats. Both were part of a group that resisted new religious beliefs in the mid-1600s. The Scotland Presbyterian church believed that Jesus Christ is the head of the church, but the Stuart kings believed their divine right to rule, and many resisted this. These two women were amongst those that did not support the king's religious beliefs.
At the location here where the stake exists today was where the river Bladnoch flowed in and out of the sea with the tide, and the car parking area today, which is used to access walks and this monument was once where Wigtown harbour was. It was thought that the younger Margaret would change her mind after watching the older Margaret drown, but they both died. They were buried in a local churchyard. Both women were betrayed by an informer and were put into prison for a month before the drowning. The accounts were recorded as one of the many injustices under the Stuart monarchs.
There is an information board about the martyrs and a bench overlooking the lowlands out to sea and the mountains in the distance here, which you can see captured above. Just below this is the start of the trail.
A few of the wooden planks (installed to prevent from getting wet footwear as the land is marshy and waterlogged) have come loose, and the sign at the entrance alerts visitors to the uneven walkway.
The walkway is not too long, and another fence exists on the other side where the stake is with the same notice.
The stone on the stake reads "This marks the traditional site of the martyrdom".
Today, there is a lot of grassland and marshy grasses instead of a tidal river, so it is a pretty peaceful place. Sheep were grazing in this area as well in a little fence just beyond the stake.
This is a sad story in a sad and dark era for Scotland, so the stone monument marks the space in rememberance to the two women and to all who have suffered.
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