14 March 1923 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Some hoar frost. Another splendid day though hazy at first + after 3 overclouded. Wind E. Cycled to Ashybank, Cannon Street + Clocky [?] + at 10 walked to try + see the hounds at Bowden Moss. Went first to the Kips¹ where I luckily met Willie Wood + gave him her Insur^e cert.² Then went over to Cauldshiels + met the hounds running + all the riders following in single file.³ They disappeared round Cauldshiels Loch⁴ + after a while they turned up the Whin Cover where they found + ran away S.W. towards Lindean.⁵ Met Jack⁶ + Mark Sprot⁷ who were merely looking on. I had a smoke in the sun + behind a dyke + when I got home found I had left my cigarette case. So cycled to ½ Crown Corner + walked to Cauldshiels Hill⁸ + recovered it. Saw 5 or 6 hounds all by themselves on Broomhill.⁹

¹ Assume Whitlaw Kips, grid reference NGR NT507,303.

² The reference to the Wood family is unclear.

³ The Duke of Buccleuch Hunt was based at St Boswells at this time.

⁴ Cauldshiels Loch, NT512,322.

⁵ The reference is unidentified but may simply refer to some Whin (common gorse or furze, Ulex europaeus) cover in the direction of Lindean, NT491,311.

⁶ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

⁷ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll.

⁸ Half Crown Corner, NT501,296 and Cauldshiels Hill, NT515316.

⁹ Assume area of Broomhill Farm, NT483296.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]