In 1597 Agnes Wobster of Longside parish was convicted on 'Aucht poyntis of witchcraft' being charged with giving the fever to the son of Gilbert Davidson of Ludquharn. A servant of Thomas Watt also saw her 'spewing brands of fire'. He was so terrified that he was unable to go home that night!! She was also accused of cursing a kid lamb belonging to George Mitchell of Auchtydonald. For her crimes she was 'condemnit to be brint'.

In a small hollow on the farm of West Knock near Stuartfield a 'green lady' is said to walk. At nearby Winnyslap a cart track is haunted by a girl who was murdered on the eve of her wedding by her husband to be.

At Broodie Brae, Longside in 1825, for 6 months a particular house was the site of paranormal disturbances. The tenant James Wylie was subjected to chairs and tables banging everywhere, a pail of water emptied itself over a woman and various other disturbances were witnessed by respected locals. These strange happenings continued until Wylie died.

During the purges of James VI, Sandy Hay and Sandy Strachan were tried for witchcraft. Sandy Hay a blacksmith was burnt at Stonyhillock, half a mile from Peterhead, at a public place where people 'go to wash and bleech their clothes'. Sandy Strachan was declared innocent, and died of natural causes. But on the night he died there was a great storm which did not abate until he was interred.