Shilfa1 nest in log at back. I thought I had seen a sparrow going into the place + got Baptie2 to investigate, when the hen Shilfa flew out
A fine day with strongish S.W. wind but not enough to raise dust. Cycled to Mauldsheugh on my way to Ettrickhaugh Road + Hospital + David3 told me that Cutkerwood should be seen so I went on there calling at Tinnis + Yarrow Hall4. Got back before 2 + saw some town cases after. D.3 came up at night + we arranged Income Tax returns amounting … £240 from Viewfield to £2407-19-8 [illegible] £663 703-2-45. Got letter from Patrick6.
1 SHILFA, n. Also -faw, -flaw, -fie, -f(e)y, shillfa, schilfa, shelfa, -fie, sheelfa, and reduced forms shillie, -y, shellie, -y (Fif.), sheelie, -y, sheilie, shully. The chaffinch, Fringilla caelebs (Ags. 1784 Gentleman’s Mag. II. 505; Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bwk. 1889 G. Muirhead Birds Bwk. I. 162; Cai. 1907 J. Horne County Cai. 374; Ayr. 1909 Science Gossip (Aug.) 227; Cai., m. and s.Sc. 1970). Also in Nhb. dial. [Source: ‘Dictionars o the Scots Leid’]
2 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir
3 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
4 This may refer to the public hall at Catslackburn, Proprietors Yarrow Parish Council, though it seems most likely that Dr Muir is attending the hall’s caretaker Adam Brunton who was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of the house attached [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/392, Selkirk County, page 392 of 611]
5 The Editor does not precisely understand the text here but if they partners were paying a shade under 30% Income Tax that would be in line with rates at the end of the First World War and into the 1920s
6 Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 