During the Scottish witch trials in the 1590s, the use of thumbscrews became prevalent as a method of torture to extract confessions from accused witches and heretics. This metal device inflicted severe pain, reflecting the extreme measures taken during a period of heightened fear and superstition. The use of such torture devices highlights the darker aspects of religious persecution and the quest for control over societal norms.

The popularization of thumbscrews during the Scottish witch trials in 1590 found expression in ballads and Romantic poetry critiquing superstition and judicial excess. Poets used these themes to explore the darker aspects of human nature and societal fears, as reflected in the works of Robert Burns.