27 August 1921 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Like yesterday, though not as fine, it kept fair till 4 + was wet after. The river was very full. I cycled to Clifton Road, Buccleuch Road + Scaurneuk¹. Stopped by the river above Yarrowford + has a smoke. Dora² + I went to tea at Elmpark³. Jack + Nancy⁴ + a party from Innerleithen (Slaters⁵ + …⁶) were expected but turned up very late owing to car trouble. We had a glorious tea purveyed by Mrs Mack⁷. Walked down to Hospital after. A brace of grouse I got from Norman Grieve⁸ a week ago were found to be alive with maggots + had to be [burned ?].

¹ John Geddes, shepherd, to 1921 and Mrs Margaret Geddes née Graham (about 1855-1937), 1922 onwards, were Proprietor Occupiers of a house, Scaurneuk, Yarrowfeus, Yarrow [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/340, Selkirk County, page 340 of 611]

² Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

³ Elm Park, Selkirk, was the home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)

⁴ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, and Dr Muir’s son-in-law and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁵ Slaters refers to William Work Slater (1864-1925), company director, and Janet Wilson ‘Jenny’ Slater née Kirkwood (1876-1935), see also Dr Muir’s diary entry for 10 August 1921

⁶ Stowe appears to be the likeliest reading but no such name appears in the relevant Valuation Rolls

⁷ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁸ Norman William Grieve (about 1852-1936), appears to have taken an interest in property in the Selkirkshire and Roxburghshire areas around 1911; it is likely that he is the Norman William Grieve (about 1852-1936), born Hawick, who worked in tropical agriculture and as the director of public companies (rubber and tea companies according to A Hawick Word Book), and left £308,574

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]