The Wigtown Martyrs - Why were these two women drowned at the stake?

The story of the Wigtown Martyrs, Margaret McLauchlan and Margaret Wilson - Covenanters, tied to stakes and drowned on the incoming tide, in Wigtown, in 1685.
But did it really happen?
Follow my adventures as I travel through the landscapes and history of Scotland. I make quick, quirky and (hopefully) funny content about Scotland's past, people and scenery.
I look for the hidden stories, forgotten people and beautiful scenery of Scotland and try to find the funny in the darkness, obscurity and occasional absurdity of our history.
Follow my quest on social media:
Instagram: @scotlandunplugged
Facebook: scotlandunplugged
TikTok: @scotlandunplugged
Equipment used:
Drone: DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone with Fly More Combo: amzn.to/3Jd6VlP
Gimbal: DJI Osmo Smartphone Gimbal: amzn.to/3NsRcSq
Mic: VideoMicro Compact On-camera Directional Microphone amzn.to/3X7VKk7
Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic: amzn.to/3qvx2On
Filmed on Apple iPhone 11
For all opportunities, please contact [e-mail]

[@lindawall6504]

You are such an awesome Orator! If only more History Teachers taught this way; more kids would be more likely to love history and could learn from it.❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! My wife’s a teacher and I wish I had her focus. I go off on tangents 😂

[@charlesmayberry2825]

@@scotlandunplugged Those tangents are what makes it fun and keeps it interesting. The best teachers I learned the most from, all went on those tangents.

[@bethotoole6569]

This definitely made me rethink that fish I had for dinner... I'll never look at crab the same.. thanks. Thanks very much for that! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@scotlandunplugged]

Hahaha. Sorry about that! 🙂

[@tonyaegan2480]

Awesome video

[@jodifinnegan4453]

I think so too!! I loved it!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@triciagreer9130]

Just love your channel and humor . Thank you

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@gods_soldier971]

I'm from the states and have never been anywhere else. Very interesting channel!! I'm really liking it, I was sent here by your brother a few weeks ago and I'm here to stay. God Bless

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@sabbys7750]

If my history classes were as interesting at this...i might've paid more attention...🤣🤣🤣

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@angicatron8512]

I always love the scenery and stories. Ancestry tells me I’m mostly Scottish and one day would love to travel to Scotland and cross that off my bucket list. Thanks again for your videos

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! I’m biased but worth the trip! 🙂

[@shirleylaboy603]

Thank you, Robert, for more history lessons. I really enjoy listening to you. By the way, Graeme can probably give you pointers on flying a drone, although he's crashed a few, so maybe not. 🙂❤️

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. He’s crashed enough for all of us!

[@kimberlythegamer308]

I love the longer video so fascinating

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@OcamRzr]

You Scots really have some chilling history... 😳

[@scotlandunplugged]

We do indeed 😅

[@martinsellers1739]

I feel like, when I listen to your recitations, that you would have been someone I would've hung out with at times. But where several countries away and we are quite different in age. I just turned 64 and I've been a musician all my life. Now they arthritis has come for my fingers. But enough about me it's about time you told us your name Robert. I'm glad I was turned onto this channel by your brother Graham

[@scotlandunplugged]

Ah, you never know. Thank you! Arthritis is grim. My mum has it in her hands as well. Hope you find what works for you.

[@martinsellers1739]

@@scotlandunplugged grim and painful. I did switch to playing bass for a few years which was entirely fun. But all I can grip now is a lawnmower a steering wheel have a shovel now and then. Keeping up with having a big Garden is quite the task. I also watch the sculpting brother. What up talented family.

[@alicegamble6145]

Great video. The scenery is amazing. You have such a great way of making history so interesting.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@barbridingsTheResinator]

Great story! The land around you is just breathtaking and beautiful. Thank you for sharing all of these fascinating stories.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@melaber77]

I love the personal anecdotes you added to this video! Hearing about your family connections with these historical figures really brings the tale to life! Great job (drone crash aside).

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Thank you! No drones suffered any long term harm in the making of this video! 🙂

[@pjk1714]

Appreciate the efforts and an interesting story. Beautiful countryside. Those cow's should be happy.. I'm glad your mother still has the coffee shop. I hear her baked goods are incredibly tasty. Looking forward to more content from you. You should have been a history teacher. None would cut your class. Thanks for sharing

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! The baked goods are very good! 😅

[@misselvira8369]

I came here off your brothers channel I never thought I would be into hoof trimming but so into watching it 😂 but this channel is more my style can’t wait to watch them all ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. It has a hypnotic quality! Thank you! 🙂

[@cindysplace]

I've heard of that sort of punishment before as well as persons being buried on the shore up to their necks and drowned when the tide came in. Interesting story!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! I never thought about it being unusual, just because I’ve heard about it for so long 🙂

[@hayesjulie]

Thanks for another adventure!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@susanplunkett5193]

Hi. Just watched your brother so I'd thought I'd stop by and give a follow. I love history. I'm hooked good and proper. What an incredible place to grow up in.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! It really was an incredible place to grow up. I feel very lucky 😀

[@joycefuller9177]

Great video. Love to hear the "history".

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@nullish0]

My gran and grampa Sharp owned the hotel here for a while. Can't say how fun and lucky we were to enjoy summers down there. Live in US now

[@camerongibson6342]

Thanks Robert for another great video, and the history of the town

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@ryanawilson8549]

Drowned at the stake. That's a new one.

[@sabbys7750]

That's exactly what I was thinking!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Never even entered my head it was unusual. I’ve known the story since I was five 😂

[@ryanawilson8549]

@@scotlandunplugged #AMERICA

[@theresadimaggio7241]

You and your brother are awesome

[@superdill6665]

I've been a fan of the Hoof GP for a while now, and I just finished watching the video when you spent the day with him and the cows. At the end, he recommended your channel, so I came here to have a look. You've got a new subscriber. I love Scottish lore, legend, and history. I've never even been to your country and probably never will. So I can watch your videos and see Scotland through your eyes.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you, and hello! 😀

[@RossMcKie]

Absolutely brilliant cuz. Grew up hearing this story for years and it brought back so many memories. When I saw the cell in the video I got chills that I’ve not felt in years. Brilliant once again 👍

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks cuz! Hear I just missed you all on Sunday.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Gives me the chills too btw. But in a good way 🙂

[@RossMcKie]

@@scotlandunplugged yeah we were down visiting Greame and the family and he said you were coming down. Definitely need a catch up soon 🍻

[@gigiharris7227]

So glad I saw you on your brothers channel. I absolutely love ur history and stories. I’m planning a Scotland trip for next year and I’ve gotten great ideas from you! 💜

[@scotlandunplugged]

Good to hear! Thank you 🙂

[@kathleenmuller306]

I really look forward to your videos Robert! You're pretty good at this! K.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! It’s always a work in progress 😅

[@kathleenmuller306]

Well, we're all a work in progress! K.

[@lindaarmstrongjackman9788]

Another great tale snd its telling. 😊👍👍

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@ramonadixon1291]

That was a wonderful lesson . It was very touching. You did a fantastic job!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@ramonadixon1291]

I should be thanking you.

[@kimberlypatton205]

So much lovely information! Exactly why I love this channel! Oh… and the gorgeous countryside! …Always thought you had a fair faint of Viking features!

[@kathleenomalley7838]

I just viewed The Hoof GP as well. Hi Bob, glad your brother mentioned your KZbin Channel.😊

[@scotlandunplugged]

Hello! And thank you 🙂

[@kathleenomalley7838]

@Scotland Unplugged I shared it on my FB page too. Best of luck in expanding your subscribers. I'm very excited to watch your vlogs. Ty 😊

[@ccnomad]

This is easily my favorite of your videos I've seen so far

[@cwbrownCaroline]

I’ve seen images of Wigtown and area in Graham’s videos. Really nice to get some of the history.

[@bobby2.070]

This was one of my favourite places to go when visiting my aunt and uncle that lived on Bank street. And of course you have to stop at the spring on the way down the hill.

[@elaineewen6635]

Enjoyed this video. Lovely scenery and well done with the story telling. Keep up the good work 😊

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@noreenclark2568]

I enjoyed this stroll around Wigtown with you telling the history , ive never been there but if i did go to visit my first stop would be a book shop i just love to read. Thanks again

[@haggielady]

Thank you for doing the digging on the history. I love history. Especially from from Scotland and Ireland. I hope you are going to keep posting these longer videos because they are much better than than the shorts. More uumph to them.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! I like the longer videos, so definitely continuing with those!

[@Annie6460]

While filming Galloway, I hope you popped into the farm and got your brother an ice cream Robert😊. ❤️🇦🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@FancyRPGCanada]

The editing in this video is so much better! The half second left on your face after you're done talking is great! The story and shots are great too :D

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for the pointer! I was trying to put more B roll in and clearly overdid it! 🙂

[@annrn6148]

I always get excited when I see you've uploaded a new video. You tell such wonderful stories on Scotland's history. Thank you for the time & effort you put into these history lessons & tales.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you 😊

[@ElChris816]

Another brilliant video full of history. My mother's side is from Scotland and is connected to Clan Colquhoun of Loch Lomond. They "Americanized" Colquhoun to Cohoon in the US. Keep up the great work.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! That’s interesting. I wonder how many surnames have been Americanized down the years. 🙂

[@treyporter7611]

Now that’s living history!

[@stephaniehallman9749]

Thank goodness your 2021 self took pictures!! 😂😂 Another great story -thank you!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Can’t quite believe I got away with it 😂

[@Fred-rj3er]

Wow! What a wonderful bit of local/family history there at the start. I love that sort of stuff. It is the detail that would vanish were it not included in stuff like this My grandad had a withered right hand. Fingers n thumb joined with skin. Not often used so weak and small. He lived in Normanton, Yorkshire and was the lamp lighter. He also used his lamp lighting pole as a "knocker upper" knocking on customers windows to wake them up for their shift down the pit. Either morning or evening. During the day he used his ladders to clean windows. Perhaps the original "one armed window cleaner" as joked by Mike Harding lol. His wife took in washing. They had 7 kids, 2 died early and managed to buy their own house. He was Thomas Fleming. Yeah, I've hijacked your vid comments lol. Sorry. Not got a KZbin thing of my own I hope you enjoy my bit of family history as much as I enjoy all your stuff. Happy Crimble belated.

[@suellenspencer-eb2nv]

I'm a new subscriber. I watch your brother Hoof GP all the time. He mentioned your channel. Love your history with videos. Thank you

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@larrytalley117]

I thoroughly enjoy both yours and your brothers sites. I live in Arizona but have always had an interest in Scottish and English history and your lessons are incredibly informative. I recently got a dna analysis from Ancestry and it showed my dna was 70% from Scotland and Ireland. I don’t know how accurate those things really are. My last name is Talley and so far I haven’t found much information about any ancestors there. But no matter I love your stories. You really breath life into Scottish history.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! Would love to do my DNA but think it would just come back Scottish with a bit of English 😂

[@larrytalley117]

@@scotlandunplugged 😇

[@markdonnelly1913]

I came here from a recommendation from your brothers channel. I am glad I did. That was very interesting.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! And hello 🙂

[@joanne85201]

Great story! Thanks!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@avrilconacher]

I recently discovered your channel and have really enjoyed your videos especially this one. My wife and I had never visited Dumfries and Galloway until our daughter moved to Kirkcudbright a few years back. Wigtown has become a favourite place to visit as we are both avid readers. I knew the basics of the Martyrs story but you added a lot more details for me .Looking forward to watching more of your excellent videos. Informative with a comic touch. Cheers.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@ThistlesJones]

Thank you for the informative videos! Am from South Dakota, USA. Ancestors come from the Isle of Jura - Family name; Buie. Wouldn't mind seeing a video about Jura. Keep up the good work. Found your channel thanks to HoofGP!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! Island hopping would be interesting 🤔

[@KelapaLima]

Good job on a complicated story. This was required history at Wigtown primary! Small point, if you took a sharp right coming from England, you would be in Newcastle :)

[@scotlandunplugged]

I bet it was! I always get my left and right mixed up 😂🤯

[@KelapaLima]

@@scotlandunplugged Appreciate your coverage of the local area, especially as I now in the US.

[@roymcintyre579]

Just watched your brothers channel and decided to check yours out. I am a fan of history and stories that go alon with it. I know my Grandmother was from Scotland her family immigrated to the United States when she was 5 years old. My Grandfather was a Irish immigrant. They had two boys and two girls. My aunt was helping me with a family tree project when i was in JR High School. I leard alot about my family along the way. And i still recall the stories my grandparents told me. I subscribed to your channel and cant wait to listen to more of your Historical tales and to learn some more about where some of my family comes from.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Sounds interesting. My wife’s cousin is a retired detective and genealogist. He did by tree a while ago and it went in some strange directions 😀

[@fuzzymarmot4628]

Love your videos keep them coming! "Hi" from canada

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! And hi!

[@kevinbrandt1738]

I found out about you because of your brother mentioned you on his channel. I really like hearing about history from other parts of the world as told by locals. Nothing better.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@cathyagain5841]

Very interesting. Thank you

[@BacktheBlue60]

I just saw you on your brother's channel and I wanted to see what your channel is about. I am excited to start exploring. 👋

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for stopping by! 😀 It was quite an experience!

[@herstoryswitness]

So many great stories and legends...and ghaists

[@andaanton8357]

The Hoof GP sent me here 😊

[@chichitex1252]

Great story and video!❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@annvanwesten2488]

Great, but sad story. How tragic for those ladies. I love your videos!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@BoomxShot]

Very happy to have found your channel after seeing you on your Brothers channel. I am Huge on Learning World history and your channel is right up my alley. I left a comment on that Hoof GP video saying how I could relate to your feelings of being back on the farm because I also Grew up on a farm and I just recently went back and all the old Knowledge came rushing back to me. Glad to meet you My friend and I am really looking forward to watching all of your videos and learning everything you have to offer.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! It definitely stays in your bones! 🙂

[@modusbee9092]

Super interesting

[@theresadimaggio7241]

Your awesome

[@sheilan6235]

Lovely cemetery!

[@superskeletonghostwoman2273]

I love to get to go to Scotland

[@bmcc12]

In Long Island Sound, there is a rock far from shore, where in days gone by, prisoners were chained to the rock. At dead low tide, the rock is slightly above the water, but at high tide, the rock goes under. That rock still exists and is known as Execution Rock!

[@cassiecollins-ox2tg]

Saw u on hoof gp stopped by 2 c whats ur channel about and i really love learning about the culture and history. Love ur vids

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@Chewbroccolii]

As an Australian I find your accent thick as. I have to really focus go understand you but I absolutely love it haha

[@scotlandunplugged]

I’m just realising that now. 😂 Apparently my brother is much easier to understand. Need to speak slower 😂

[@Chewbroccolii]

@@scotlandunplugged haha he is easier to understand as he is not taking serious facts so I don't have to concentrate so hard.

[@bigstar75]

Omg, this channel is fantastic 🎉

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@1234j]

Glad to find your channel. Excellent videos! Just subscribed. Blame yer bro for my finding my way here😂❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@IngeliseEaston]

You brother the hoof gp mentioned you :-)

[@tygrahof9268]

Nice showing of your old home. Sad that the religions couldn't just get along, but that is a modern perspective. Pretty bay. Thanks.

[@benjaminrush4443]

Have the Bookshops in Scotland remained open even after Smartphone hysteria? Thanks for the Podcast.

[@droach7952]

Wow amazing I am a Descendant of John Milroy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥰

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Greetings bro from distant kin of the 1685 covenanter John Milroy. My great great great grandad John Milroy was born in Scotland and settled about 500 acres in Carroll county IL back in the 1850s or so. Is it true the name derives from the old Scottish name MacIlleruaidh or Mac gille Ruaidh meaning "The son of the red haired lad"? I have heard that half of Milroy's kin split for the States and half stayed in the old country after the fallout from the hanging.

[@janetcw9808]

New subscriber!

[@rachelwebb2330]

add to Linda Walls awesome with a Dunedin New Zealands awesome!!! love ya channel, I have already asked but you prolly didnt read it but can you PPLLEEAASSEE!!! do an episode on dunedin NZ as dunedin is scottish for edinburgh, the scots came out here to build a town so they could practise their religion more strictly, but the gold rush happened making dunedin more populated but were pretty scotish influenced here still tho, Id love to hear your lean on us down here,. and thanks heaps for your channell I LOVE IT

[@scotlandunplugged]

Hi Rachel. Thank you! I think I remember replying. Have you seen a channel called Scotland History Tours?

[@donthespotter6550]

The hoofGP sent me

[@nadinedeeren9861]

Loved the lore. Have you never traced your family tree? The name Milroy should make it easier. Well, that and being in country Scotland. I've been researching since 1996 and my Scottish and Irish lines are the bane of my existence. Records are hard to peruse from the USA.

[@scotlandunplugged]

My wife’s cousin is a retired detective who loves genealogy. He has traced every branch back about 300 years. I already had a pencil drawn tree my grandad handed me, noting a James Milroy, who worked in a mill, in a place called Kirkcowan (the family wound up owning a walk mill in the same place). James died in the early 1700s crossing the river, after slipping in some stones and stabbing himself with his own shears! 😬 It’s definitely a struggle in places. I can’t get back much further than my great grandad on the Parker side. He was born in a workhouse in Cumberland. Grim! Good luck with it! 😀

[@cindyrissal3628]

20 book shops!?! I'm movin' in! What are the rents like there...?😅❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Pretty cheap I think. It's a forgotten corner of the country in many ways.

[@Gurudesa94]

indah sekali pemandanganya salam dari indonesia

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! Greetings from Scotland!

[@flitsertheo]

To answer the question. We are in Scotland. Burning them would cost wood and hence, money. Water is free.

[@grahamhill2267]

Another great tale from history. Such a beautiful area too! By the way, don’t you think that James VI bears an uncanny resemblance to singer Sam Smith? 😂😂😂

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! He does a bit… 😂

[@grahamhill2267]

@@scotlandunplugged 🤣🤣

[@mikmik9034]

Title: @8:00 to about 11:30..

[@Zanuth-001]

So wait, they were pardoned but were drowned anyway?

[@scotlandunplugged]

Yeah. They think he ignored the pardon! 😳

[@andrewemery4272]

"Hang a right"??

[@scotlandunplugged]

Nope 😂

[@randyyeager]

yer bro the hoof GP got me here. I figure since he's not a tool, that you likely won't be either....lol

[@randyyeager]

Almost half way through the video, and no toolism in sight, right on. I'm Canadian, and of German decent. I've always been fascinated by England, Scotland and Ireland being we've always been under the British crown as well.

[@randyyeager]

Excellent video. Glad Yer brother pointed out yer channel.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@dustyone1648]

That's around the time foreigners arrived there?

[@scotlandunplugged]

It was a busy old place. The Picts, Romans, Celts, Vikings and Scots had all turned up by that point 🙂

[@monabale8263]

13:27; were any of the three tormentors freemasons?

[@scotlandunplugged]

I’m not sure really. 🤔

[@monabale8263]

@@scotlandunplugged there are rumors that depending on the level one is attempting to become, the knife used for the oath taking points to specific regions of their bodies. if the oath is broken, maladies attack the region of their bodies sworn over or on members of their families, sometimes affecting generations.. so i hear.

[@deniseatkins9407]

What a lovely way to die NOT. Interesting to find a strange relative I am distantly related to a 1930s drag queen Old Mother Riley and I am also part Cherokee as well as being from the Johnstone sect

[@scotlandunplugged]

Interesting 😀

[@philthycat1408]

Think it was in the 1700s a woman witch from Kirkcaldy was Burned at the stake in Inverkeithing and it cost £17 odds. Tar barrels, wood , transport, executioner etc. A fortune back then, so it may have been just cost effective . 😂

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. So strange you say that. I’ve just been looking at a bill for William Wallace’s execution! Not cheap!

[@philthycat1408]

@@scotlandunplugged I had a Parish Records book of Scotland 1760s. And that was an amazing read. Mislaid or pal has it. And I’ve just finished reading The History of The Church of Scotland ! That happens to be an eye opener and a wee laugh. 👍

[@mschoy1597]

Question for everyone: who is better: Scotland or England?

[@scotlandunplugged]

Well, I’m a quarter English so I’m gonna say no one 😂

[@IamGulzow]

Ach, go trim some 'ooves!

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Can't watch this --too horrible. But thank you for putting this dreadful story ou there.

[@sheilan6235]

Great story! That’s a really horrible way to die if it really happened.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! Yeah, it does sound pretty grim.