Esoteric Scotland is founded by Dr. Kirsty Pattison who was awarded her PhD from the University of Glasgow in 2025. Her PhD explores the reception of esoteric practices such as necromancy, ritual magic, Neoplatonism, Hermeticism and Christian Cabala in Late Medieval and Early Modern Scotland, funded by the Hooper Holt Scholarship. Pattison has presented her research on Scotland at several academic conferences in Britain and Europe and was invited to discuss Medieval Hermeticism in Scotland by the Boleskine House Foundation Academic Talks series in 2024. 

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Having completed a MTh research degree at the University of Glasgow focusing on the connection between ideas of spiritual ascent and theurgy in the works of Marsilio Ficino and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Pattison endeavoured to find evidence of these continental ideas in Scotland. Her research interests include the history of magic and esotericism, esotericism in literature and film, the theology of magic, theurgy and concepts of spiritual ascent, demonology, and Scottish history.  Pattison has lectured on a range of topics at the University of Glasgow such as Hermeticism, Renaissance Magic, Christian Cabala, Rosicrucianism, The Theosophical Society, Thelema, Wicca, Chaos Magick, the Scottish witch trials and the history of Christianity in Scotland. She is the convener of the University of Glasgow Magic and Esotericism reading group.

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While Pattison's PhD focuses on the Medieval and Early Modern Periods, this site is dedicated to all things esoteric in Scotland, by Scots in any era. It is the hope that this site will engage with those interested in the field of esotericism across a range of subjects and promote Scotland's voice in an emerging and exciting field of study. For those who may wish to contribute articles please get in-touch on the Join Us page.