X-Book

The Last Witch of Scotland

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book.

Listen to a sample

What to expect

'Compelling, evocative, heart-wrenching and beautifully written. Highly recommended.' - Fiona Valpy, author of The Storyteller of Casablanca

Being a woman was her only crime.

Scottish Highlands, 1727.

In the aftermath of a tragic fire that kills her father, Aila and her mother, Janet, move to the remote parish of Loth, north-west of Inverness. Blending in does not come easily to the women: Aila was badly burned in the fire and left with visible injuries, while her mother struggles to maintain her grip on reality. When a temporary minister is appointed in the area, rather than welcome the two women, he develops a strange curiosity for them that sets them even further apart from the community.

Then arrives a motley troupe of travelling entertainers from Edinburgh, led by the charismatic but mysterious Jack. It is just the distraction Janet, and particularly Aila, needs: for the first time in a long while, their lives are filling with joy and friendship, and a kind of hope Aila hasn't known since her father's death. But in this small community, faith is more powerful than truth, and whispers more dangerous even than fire.

Haunting and deeply moving, The Last Witch of Scotland is a story of love, loyalty and sacrifice, inspired by the true story of the last person to be executed for witchcraft in Britain.

Perfect for fans of Outlander, The Mercies and The Witches of Vardo, or for anyone with an interest in the history of witchcraft, late renaissance Scotland and Highland history.

User Reviews

Book 3.8
Narration 4.5
3.0
3.0
While this book contains a story that echoes the wider unjustifiable horrors of witch trails in Scotland, it balances this with charming and endearing characters. Whilst reading, I pondered what it is to be a woman today, and how easy it has been for British society to seemingly forget this violent history against women. It also makes me think about women in other countries that still face this level of persecution, as well as the subtleties (and increasingly not so subtleties) of misogynism and sexism that still exist in Britain. I also consider my past female relatives who would have been alive during these times in Scotland and what they may have witnessed. A thought provoking read indeed! In terms of story telling it took a while for the witch element to unravel, but not necessarily a bad thing as it provided character development. Some character voices in the narration were a little grinding - perhaps intentional.
LSG5 21/11/2025
3.0
5.0
lynnreads 16/11/2025
5.0
5.0
Andrew Thomas 04/11/2025
4.0
5.0
inez.mcc 28/07/2025
3.0
4.0
Books_andBlankets 14/03/2025
5.0
5.0
Harrowing but beautiful, wonderful narration
fluentindothraki 06/11/2023

More from the same

About xigxag and the x-book®

Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.

Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.

Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.