The town of Prestonpans in Scotland will hold a public ceremony to pardon Scottish witches (and their cats) executed during the witch hunts of the 17th and 18th century. This is the last decision of this Baronial court, and comes just in time for Halloween. I'm guessing an apology isn't as much fun. [Update: the Mayor of Salem apparently wants in on the act]

In a related story, a Massachusetts resident writes about his ancestor, a victim of the Salem witch trials in 1692. We might have learned something from this, but the continuing success of the "recovered memory" "therapist," today's answer to the witchfinder, makes me feel quite cynical.

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