Same fine weather + same sharp wind. Cycled to Faldonside to see a maid who had got her fingers crushed a week ago, + also saw Mrs Dees.1 Went on to Cowdenknowes.2 I climbed the Black Hill + leaving my cycle by the road.3 Very sharp climb. Thought the hounds were at Mellerstain4 but forgot it was tomorrow they were to be there. Had a fine view. Met the Lauderdales going to meet at Yair.5 Got home after 3. Had tea + walked to Heather Mill, Cannon Street, + Moat.
1 Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), wife of Robert Irwin Dees. They had moved from Newcastle to Faldonside after the First World War.
2 Cowdenknowes, Earlston is in the area of grid reference NGR NT580,360 but Dr Muir is not specific as to where he left his bike.
3 The Black Hill, grid reference NT585,370, is pretty uniformly steep on the Cowdenknowes (west) side so this is no help in identifying Dr Muir’s route.
4 Mellerstain, grid reference NT647,391, is some way to the east so Dr Muir must have known or hoped that the Buccleuch Hunt was intending to be in the area of Shielfield and Brotherstone.
5 The Lauderdale Hunt was based at Lauder so for Dr Muir to see them on their way to Yair does not make sense. Alternative readings for Yair gratefully received.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 