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The Scottish Borders has a dark history that involved magic and witchcraft and ending in the death of many accused of going against God.
A campaign has been launched for all those punished and accused to issued an apology.
In 1563, the old Scottish Parliament passed the Witchcraft Act which made the practice of witchcraft itself, and consulting with witches, capital crimes. A similar law had been passed in England a year earlier.
Before this, there is evidence of prosecutions of individuals for causing harm through witchcraft - suggesting that a belief in magic was commonplace - but cases were rare.
As attitudes changed, and Scotland saw famine, plague and wars, many began blaming witches and witchcraft including the King of Scotland James VI who was obsessed with the threat posed by witches.
After a two-year campaign the Witches of Scotland has gained the support of Nicola Sturgeon's administration, ongoing talks could lead to legislation that pardons all the men and women accused.
Alex Iszatt reports.
