9 October 1922 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Breakfasted 5.30 + left in car at 6.10 intending to take the 7.40 from Peebles to Symington¹ but we got on so well that I took the car to Biggar which we reached about 8.30. Had breakfast at the Clydesdale² + left cycling at 9.18. Had a splendid run. There was a very slight S.E. wind which helped me + it was though it was a dull day there was no rain + I never got over heated. I didn’t stop for tea anywhere and got to Prestwick quite easily at 3.50. Including 20m [minutes] of stops I did the 53 miles in 5 hours 12 minutes. Found Rennie³ wonderfully well but complaining of feeling tired. My parcels hadn’t arrived so I went along to the P.O. but got no satisfaction.⁴ Sent P.C. [postcard(s)] to Dees⁵ + David.⁶ Got a pair of Rennie’s pyjamas from Marg^t.⁷

¹ Symington South Lanarkshire (rather than Symington South Ayrshire, the latter very close to Dr Muir’s destination), grid reference NGR NS994353, where at the end of his journey on the Caledonian Railway, Symington, Biggar and Peebles Branch Dr Muir would have alighted on the east side of an island platform with the Caledonian Railway ‘down’ mainline on its west side, see Ordnance Survey 6 inch Lanarkshire Sheet XXXIII.SE, published 1912.

² The Editor has previously been unable to identify or locate the Clydesdale Arms (see diary entry for 27 June 1921).

³ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister, of Ladyton, Prestwick and widower of Catherine Stewart ‘Kate’ Rennie née Muir (1829-1915), Dr Muir’s sister.

⁴ Dr Muir had sent his luggage Post restante in preparation for his forthcoming trip to his brother-in-law at Prestwick, Ayrshire.

⁵ Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer, living at Faldonside, Galashiels.

⁶ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁷ Margaret, otherwise unidentified, may be the housekeeper (the overdue 1921 Census would help) to Dr Muir’s brother-in-law the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924).

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]