Launch celebrates installation of "Jonet" sculpture in remembrance of South Ayrshire's accused witches

A sculpture called "Jonet" has been installed outside of the Cutty Sark Centre on Ayr High Street in remembrance of those accused of witchcraft in South Ayrshire during the Scottish Witch Trials.

The wire sculpture by local artist Vanessa Lawrence depicts a woman looking across the River Ayr. Dating back farther than the Scottish Witch Trials, the view of the Auld Brig would have been a familiar sight to a local woman of the era.

It aims to recognise how this dark period in Scottish history affected ordinary people, and to remember the 64 people from South Ayrshire who were tried for witchcraft during this time.

A launch event was held on Wednesday 27 November at the Cutty Sark Centre to mark the installation of the artwork.

Councillors attended the event, which included a showing of "Hystayria" - a film by the Ayr North Time Team about South Ayrshire's accused witches - and a Q&A session with the team and representatives from with Remembering Accused Witches of South Ayrshire (RAWS).

The sculpture was funded by the Ayrshire Visitor Economy Strategy Group as part of the ongoing collaborative work with RAWS - a charity which aims to educate and raise awareness on the impact of the Scottish Witch Trials.

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs, Councillor Alec Clark, said: "The persecution during this era has had a great impact on the history of South Ayrshire, and even influenced our folk tales that are known around the world. It is important to remember and pay tribute to those who lost their lives. The installation of Jonet helps us to remember how the trials affected the day to day lives of many."

Vanessa Lawrence said: "It is an absolute honour to have been commissioned to create a work to remember those accused of witchcraft in South Ayrshire.  Her presence represents all those accused throughout Scotland.

"It is a very dark period in our history that is not acknowledged or taught in the learning of our past. Hopefully the presence of a physical sculpture will invite people to be curious."