7 September 1923 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

A quite dry day with N.W. wind + a good deal of sun. Message from Birrell¹ to see Finlayson.² Cycled round town first + then to Lilliesleaf where I got a message from Mauldsheugh³ to see Jas. Elliot, Hermiston⁴ who had Pharyngeo-oesophageal gastric catarrh. I am inclined to think from tobacco + whisky. Took the opportunity of going along the old familiar road from Hermiston + Sinton Parkhead to Hawick Road.⁵ Wrote Helen⁶ + sent her a letter from Mrs Kennedy.⁷ Wrote Jack⁸ saying I would not likely get to Alnmouth⁹ + Jessie Boyd¹⁰ about Glendearg.¹¹

¹ Andrew Birrell (about 1857-1950), schoolteacher, at Lilliesleaf, 1891 Census and in VRs 1891-1940; born Monimail, Fife, he married 1882, Catherine ‘Kate’ Smith and had children Christina Maggie Birrell (1884-1971) and Andrew Smith Birrell (1886-1917), both born Lesmahagow, Lanarks. Birrell was described as ‘headmaster’, 1921 VR [sources: 1921 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/556, Roxburgh County, Page 556 of 993; Christina’s death, 1971, 451/ 21, Newport On Tay].

² Finlayson is so far unidentified.

³ Mauldsheugh was Dr Graham’s home.

⁴ James Lambert Elliot was the Tenant at Hermiston farm and house, Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire.

⁵ Dr Muir cycled from Hermiston, grid reference NGR NT512,231, south of Riddell, via Synton Parkhead, NT488,214, to what is now the A7.

⁶ Helen Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper, was evidently still away, presumably at Haslemere in Surrey.

⁷ Mary Balfour Kennedy née Alison (1889-1978) whose husband William Nicol Watson Kennedy (1888-1961), O.B.E., M.D., D.P.E., medical officer of health and school medical officer for Selkirkshire circa 1921 had flitted to a similar role in Croydon, Surrey.

⁸ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

⁹ The Roberts family had previously holidayed at Alnmouth in Northumberland. Dr Muir joined them 22-26 September 1922.

¹⁰ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener, daughter of William Brack Boyd (1831-1918) and Elizabeth ‘Jessie’ Boyd née Wilson, married 1 July 1862 at Morebattle.

¹¹ The story of Glendearg has not yet been told.

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