Brilliant morning but clouded over + finished in mist + rain. David had operations at 9 viz. Mrs Fairbairn1, [illegible], colostomy + 3 tonsils + adenoids. Left a little after 11 with Nancy, Jack2, Helen3, Stewart + Tim4 – Mitchell5 driving. + went to Sourhope6. We had meant to Kirknewton7 but were too late. We walked to Auchope Cairn but hadn’t time to do Cheviot8. I had a pain in my right side which hampered me very much but I struggled through. Got back in time to dine at Elmpark9 but my pain made me swear or grin every little while.
1 Mrs Fairbairn is (so far) unidentified.
2 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter, and John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966).
3 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
4 Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s youngest grandchildren.
5 Assume Alexander Mitchell (fl.1922), the Roberts’ chauffeur, “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” of a house at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, John Roberts junior, manufacturer, Proprietor [1920 and 1921 Valuation Rolls]
6 Sourhope, grid reference NGR NT845202, sits on the Sourhope Burn and above the Bowmont Water.
7 Assume Kirknewton, Northumberland (rather than that in West Lothian – they have shortened their trip rather than changed it) at NT914,302 in Glendale parish, below Yeavering Bell and just east of where the College Burn debouches into the Bowmont Water; situated on the northern edge of the National Park boundary, Kirknewton is the only conservation area in Northumberland National Park.
8 Auchope Cairn is above Sourhope in Morebattle parish, sitting WSW of the Cheviot’s top and astride the Scotland England Border (and on the more recent Pennine Way) at NT891,198.
9 Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).
[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 