Raining in the morning + at night but fair most of the day. Barometer rose from 28.9 to 29.13. Walked to Wylie1, Market Place, Mill Street + Dunsdale. Took swab from Nan Falla’s2 throat. Gave Mrs Clark3 Chlor[oform] at Viewfield4 for Curetting. Motored to Black Andro + walked to Fastheugh.5 Took Kelty.6 Miss Hutchison7 weaker. Williamina Scott, Dovecot, died this evening.8 Helen9 cycled to Glenmayne10 to call. Wrote Mary whose 87th birthday is tomorrow.11
1 There were two individuals named Wylie at Market Place, Selkirk – James and William – but it is not yet possible to know which Dr Muir was referring to.
2 Assume Janet Falla (about 1862-), described as a sick nurse, living at 31 Raeburn Place, Selkirk, 1921 Census.
3 Mrs Clark is so far unidentified.
4 Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.
5 Fastheugh, grid reference NGR NT392,289, at the west end of Black Andrew woods on the south side of the Yarrow Water, see Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XI.NW, published 1900.
6 Kelty was a dog that Dr Muir records taking for a walk very infrequently since at least 1917 but either someone else must have been his regular walker or he was not their dog.
7 Elizabeth Hutchison (about 1832-), sister of Thomas Hutchison (about 1848-), estate manager, both living at Fastheugh near Black Andro, Selkirk. For further detail see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 27 October 1923.
8 Wilhelmina Kiddy Scott (1843-1923), dressmaker, born Lilliesleaf, died 30 October 1923 at 29 Dovecot Park, Selkirk, aged 79, death certified by J S Muir M.B. She was the daughter of Robert Scott, auctioneer, and Elizabeth Scott née Whitworth. Wilhelmina never married.
9 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
10 Glenmayne, Galashiels, grid reference NGR NT497,337, home of Henry Smith ‘Harry’ Murray (1858-1924), mining company director and sometime soldier, and Thomasina Maude Murray née Shearer (1867-1943). Glenmayne is the house sitting dramatically above the A7 and overlooking the River Tweed more or less opposite Faldonside. It is visible on Ordnance Survey 25 inch Selkirkshire Sheet VIII.10, published 1899.
11 Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, widow of James Wallace (d.1922), and living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey.
[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 