Yet another sudden change. Snowing this morning but soon faired + it was a lovely day till 4 or 5. The high hills were very white but the snow did not lie on the low ground. We started at 10 + just before, I got a message to Cramalt + Jack kindly took me there. It was to see John Hogg’s old mother1. We had a fine run to Moffat + got there at 12.30. Stewart2 + 2 boy friends had lunch with us + after lunch Jack took them for a run [?] while I walked about 3 miles up the old Edinburgh road, crossed by a bridge + came back by the high Road3. I enjoyed it immensely + got a fine view of snow clad Hartfell. We left Moffat at 4.30 + went to Prestwick via Abington + Douglas4. It began to snow near Inch + we found the country all white from Muirkirk to the Coast. Arrived at Ladyton about 7 + gave Rennie5 a surprise. It turned out to be his 94th birthday. Gillespie6 the Minister called to congratulate him. Jack + Nancy went on to Ayr.
1 John Hogg, shepherd at Cramilt [Cramalt], Yarrow, is shown on the 1920 Valuation Roll and Isabella Hogg née Nichol, died 22 May 1921 at Cramalt, Yarrow, aged 82, informant John Hogg, son, and certified by “John S Muir MB etc Selkirk”, she was the widow of John Hogg, shepherd
2 Stewart Muir Roberts (1908-2003), Dr Muir’s grandson was at school at Moffat
3 The old road ran east of the River Annan while the newer route peeled left at the top of Academy Road, crossed the ‘New Bridge’ and ran towards Edinburgh west of the Annan
4 After leaving Moffat the travellers would have travelled over Beattock (along the route of what is now the M74) and to Abington and then, at a point not immediately obvious, westward towards Ayr
5 The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister, a former Moderator of the U.P. Church, resident of Prestwick and Dr Muir’s brother in law
6 The Reverend Alexander Gibson, B.D., Minister of South U.F. Church and living at South U.F. Church Manse, 53 St Quivox Road, Monkton, Prestwick [1920 Valuation Roll]
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 