This New Witchcraft Museum In Scotland Has Mummified Cats And 'Enchanted' Objects

A museum of witchcraft, magic and fortune-telling in Edinburgh will be the first of its kind in Scotland, featuring unique artefacts and curiosities such as a mummified cat.

Situated on Chalmers Close in Edinburgh's historic Old Town, the Museum of Witchcraft, Magic & Fortune-telling features unique artefacts and curiosities dating back to the 17th century. With body snatchers and witch executions being a documented part of Edinburgh's history, the capital is a fitting home for the museum.

Dating back over four or five centuries, Ash confirmed the new museum will objects from the past right through to the modern-day linked to Scotland's (and the rest of Europe's) occult past.

Traditional magical charms and amulets, enchanted objects, and even things associated with "counter-magic" will be on display to visitors. Among these is a 200-year-old mummified cat, which was found in France bricked up in a wall to ward off "maleficent spirits and magic".

The museum's founder, Ash Mills, is an "author, folklorist, and magical practitioner" who specialises in the fields of witchcraft and magic. He says the objects "reflect the beliefs and practice of magic, spiritualism and the occult".

While other artefacts on display include mystical amulets and bottles that once belonged to people branded witches.

Scotland was one of the countries within Europe that witnessed persecutions in mass numbers during the 17th century witch craze.

Ash mills said that "Often it was their magical specialists once known as wise men and women, or 'Spae-folks', that would be caught up in the witch trials.

"After over three hundred years later, both the Scottish Parliament and the Church of Scotland made apologies for those executed for being witches."

The subject is something he knows only too well have written books on the subject including The Black Book of Isobel Gowdie and other Scottish Spells & Charms, which tells the story of a woman who was said to have confessed to witchcraft at Auldearn, near Nairn, in 1662.

The museum founder thanked his Irish grandmother for his love of the occult, adding: "I learned how to read tea leaves from a young age and I’ve grown up with it all really.

The Museum of Witchcraft, Magic & Fortune-telling will also provide tarot readings, magical gifts, and witchcraft-related food and drink in its cafe.