Author: rumblingclint

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]

A splendid day : clear + sunny but a very sharp N.E. wind. The hounds met at Oakwoodmill + I cycled out to Greendemains¹ + walked to the height above Middlestead.² I got a distant glimpse of them on [?] Oakwood + on their way to Outer Huntly³– after lunch I cycled to Shawpark, Hospital, Cannon Street and Ettrickhaugh Road. Went to meeting in Union Hall to protest against the Town Council turning the Victoria Hall grounds into a Putting Green. Charles Roberts⁴ in chair. I read some verses by Guthrie.⁵

¹ Greendemmings or Greendemains, later known as Haremoss, approximate grid reference NGR NT468,250, where there is now parking on A7 north of Hare Moss, at the top of the steep climb from Braw Gates (The Braw Yett). Located close to the old Selkirk-Ashkirk Toll Bar according to John Thomson’s ‘Atlas of Scotland, 1832’.

² Dr Muir has travelled along the Selkirk – Ashkirk road (now the A7) to Greendemains and the walked across to what the Editor assumes is the second, unnamed height at grid reference NGR NT452,248 which is the best guess for a height “above” Middlestead, Selkirk, NT452,264 (as opposed to the first height he would have reached at Brown Moor Heights, NT461,247).

³ The Hunt was in the Huntly Hill area south west of Selkirk between Oakwood, grid reference NGR NT420,259 and Outer Huntly, NT440,225, near Woll Rigg (by contrast Inner Huntly is close to the Ettrick Water at NT414,249).

⁴ Assume Charles Henry ‘Charlie’ Roberts (1877-1954), tweed manufacturer, brother of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Dr Muir’s son-in-law, both born in New Zealand.

⁵ The Editor cannot think who Guthrie might be.

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

A day of brilliant sunshine but with very sharp E. + then S.E. wind. A good drying day + dust on the roads. Went to morning service after making a few calls. After lunch Helen¹ + I walked to the Moat via Howden Hill² + back by the tile works.³ Views very clear. Very little doing.

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

² Dr Muir and Helen approached the Moat (NT458,268. near Howden, S.S.W. of Selkirk) from Howden Hill, directly to its north.

³ The Haining Tile Works were at approximate grid reference NGR NT465,269 and are nicely shown on Ordnance Survey Selkirkshire Sheet XII.9 (Selkirk), published 1860.

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

Same dull grey sky this morning but it got clearer after midday + was quite sunny Fromm between 2 + 3. Wind still very sharp from E. but less strong. David¹ went to Ed. for the Eng.-Scot. International football match² at which the Duke of York + his fiancé are to be present.³ I cycled to Curror Street, Dunsdale, Yarrow Terrace +c. Then Viewfield + Shawpark + then to Bewlie Mains⁴ + Lilliesleaf. Roads good. Helen⁵ busy cleaning Diningroom. Last month has been the wettest Feb. for 50 years. Old Mattie Mullins, Yarrow Terrace died today.⁶ I have cycled 120 miles in the last 8 days. I have cycled 120 miles in the last 8 days.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

² The Calcutta Cup rugby football match at Inverleith finished Scotland 6 : 8 England.

³ The match was attended by H.R.H. Prince Albert, Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Their marriage took place 26 April 1923.

⁴ Bewlie Mains, sometimes Bewliemains, Lilliesleaf.

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁶ Martha ‘Mattie’ Mullins (about 1838-1923), died 17 March 1923, aged 85, at Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk [1923 778 / 25 Selkirk].

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

Almost as sunless as yesterday but at 5 there was a slight lift of the grey curtain in the South + a glimpse of the setting sun. I walked to Curror Street + Beechbank¹ then gave Chlor[oform] to W Kirkwood, Fairnilea² while D.³ removed his appendicitis [sic]. There was little or nothing wrong with his appendix. Then I cycled to Ettrickhaugh Road + Cannon Street + after lunch to Clerklands⁴ (a tramp), Ashkirk, W. Essenside⁵ Moat⁶ + Henhouse.⁷ Helen.⁸ + Miss Wallace.⁹ walked to Middlestead.¹⁰

¹ Assume Beechbank Cottages, Selkirk.

² William Kirkwood (1871-), forester, born Greenlaw, Berwickshire was recorded at South Lodge, Fairnilee, Caddonfoot with his wife Janet Kirkwood (about 1877-), supposedly born Newcastle [1921 Census].

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁴ Clerklands, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NGR NT503,247.

⁵ Dr Muir had previously been attending the Heard family at West Essenside, Ashkirk, grid reference NT442,201.

⁶ Moat, NT458,268. near Howden, S.S.W. of Selkirk.

⁷ Henhouse is beyond the south end of Haining Loch, Selkirk, grid reference NT469,271.

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁹ It is not yet possible to identify Miss Wallace.

¹⁰ Middlestead, Selkirk, grid reference NT452,264.

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

Absolutely sunless but dry with a biting E. wind. Got away by 10 + cycled to Henderland¹ without dismounting except to call for Matty Mullins.² The wind helped me greatly + going with it I did not feel cold but it was the very opposite coming back. I called at Sundhope³ + got a very welcome tea. Came back by Oakwoodmill⁴ + walked up from Howden to the Moat.⁵ Jack⁶ brought the news announced in the Times of Frank Muir’s death at Cannes.⁷ Helen⁸ had Mrs Douglas Brown⁹ at tea.

¹ Henderland, Megget, north of St Mary’s Loch, grid reference NGR NT232,233, where Dr Muir had been attending the Mitchell family since late 1921. In the 1921 Census the family comprised James Mitchell senior aged 67, James Mitchell junior, 35, Mary Richardson Mitchell, 33, Eliza Dalgleish Mitchell, 25, and Isabella Shiel Mitchell, 26.

² Assume Matilda Mullins (1893-), daughter of Elizabeth Mullins and recorded in the 1921 Census as working as a woollen drawer for E Gardiner & Co., woollen manufacturer and living at Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk with her mother, her uncle and her grandmother Martha Mullins, aet 86, who was born at West Port, Ireland [Westport, Co. Mayo, Connacht].

³ Sundhope, Yarrow, grid reference NGR NT335,252.

⁴ Oakwoodmill, Selkirk, NT444,267.

⁵ Howden, NT452,271 and Moat, NT458,268. Dr Muir had been attending the Moat around this time.

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

⁷ Frank Logan Muir (1863-1923), born Dec Quarter 1863, Islington 1b 260; J.P., railway employee, born Islington, lived at Stoke Newington until emigration to India and, although based in Bombay, died at Sunnybank Hospital, Cannes, 10 March 1923. Probate records his Estate as being worth £12,864 8s. 3d. He was the son of James Logan ‘Jim’ Muir (1834-1914), East India Merchant and Euphemia Wight and E lder brother of Isabel Scott Kippen née Muir (1867-1951) and Amy Wilson Muir (1872-1917). Frank had married 14 July 1890, Bombay, Flora Isabella Rowbotham, issue ? James Muir (about 1892-), who was boarding with his cousin Taylor at Lewisham, 1911 Census.

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁹ Probably Margaret Meikle ‘Peggy’ Brown née Donald (1885-1960), a nurse of 2 Melville Street, Edinburgh who had married James Douglas Brown, Lieutenant K.O.S.B., attached R.A.F. and at that time “currently with the British Expeditionary Force” (Statutory registers marriage 17 September 1918 at Ashwood, Galashiels, 775/ 50).

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

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]

A fine day at last. First sunshine for more than a week. Wind W. + then N. Very pleasant + refreshing after the spell of grey skies. Cycled to Beechbank, Curror Street + Yarrow Terrace + then was at Viewfield from 11.20 till almost 2. Two appendices + a tonsillectomy. After lunch cycled to Tait’s Hill, Moat + Shawpark. Two P.C.s [post cards] from Dora from Marseilles.¹ Helen² + Miss Wallace³ went over to see the “Bohemian Girl” at Gala Playhouse.⁴ Dav.⁵ hears Broadmeadows⁶ is sold.

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter was en route Liverpool to Port Said, with Isabella Donald [see footnote 5] on S.S. Oxfordshire, official number 131454, – and their first port of call was Marseilles [source: UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, Liverpool, 2 March 1923].

² Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

³ It is not yet possible to identify Miss Wallace.

⁴ Assume The Bohemian Girl, an Irish romantic opera composed by Michael William Balfe with a libretto by Alfred Bunn.

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁶ Hugo C Lang (not otherwise identified, though the Lang family was well-known locally) was recorded as Proprietor Occupier of Broadmeadows House, Selkirk in the 1923 Valuation Roll but the Broadmeadows estate was thereafter apparently acquired by Robert Stewart, farmer.

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

Bitterly cold : dreary + sunless . Wind S.E, then S. + then S.W. Fair till 3 after which there was drizzling rain. Letter from Dora from Marseilles.¹ She has had a comfortable journey so far. Baptie² had to mend a puncture in the front wheel of my bike so I walked to Shawpark + found Boylan³ getting up. He was better. Then I cycled to Cannon Street (poor Mrs Brown⁴ severe haemorrhage) + the Moat walking up from Howden.⁵ Got this morning a copy of the Leith Observer with a paragraph referring to my letter in the Herald⁶ + suggesting that I should join the Port of Leith Association! So I wrote the Editor to ask about it. Helen⁷ went to Lauriston⁸ for supper.

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter was en route Liverpool to Port Said, with Isabella Donald [see footnote 5] on S.S. Oxfordshire, official number 131454, – and their first port of call was Marseilles [source: UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, Liverpool, 2 March 1923].

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

³ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, friend of Dr Muir, lived at Shawpark, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/375, Selkirk County, page 375 of 611].

⁴ Mrs Brown was Christine Brown née McGill (about 1867-), born Bathgate, Linlithgow, wife of Joseph Brown (about 1862-), cloth finisher with George Roberts & Co., who was tenant of a house in Cannon Street, Selkirk. They had two children James Brown (1898-) and Catherine Stewart Morrison Brown (1904-) [1923, Valuation Rolls VR011700009-/435, Selkirk County, page 435 of 605; 1921 Census, 59, 778/ 11/ 6, Selkirk County].

⁵ The Mote, south of Howden Hill, does not appear to be identified among the houses listed at Howden and Brownmuir in the 1923 Valuation Roll and yet such a property must be have been occupied if Dr Muir was making a visit. The 1886 Valuation Roll links a property named only Moat (occupier William Arnot, shepherd) with Brownmuir, as part of the Haining estate of the Pringle Pattisons [1886 Valuation Roll, VR011700006-/472, Selkirk County, page 472 of 513], see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 30 May 1922 for more detail.

⁶ Dr Muir had written to the Herald and had a letter published on his memories of the Scots Language in Leith, his place of birth, see diary entry for 8 March 1923.

⁷ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁸ Lauriston, Heatherlie, Selkirk, home of Katie Smith née Locke (about 1854-1934), widow of Thomas Smith, tweed manufacturer, and her daughters Catherine Adam ‘Cath’ Smith (1874-1929) and Jenny Locke Smith (1882-1952).

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

Cold, sunless, dry : roads much drier S.E. [wind] Cycled to Kirklea¹ to tell Madge Ogilvie about the special carriage she wants for a child at N Sinton.² Then to Shawpark³ to see Boylan who, while I was there, had a heart attack – not a faint – with flushed face + cold purple hands. Stayed a bit with him + saw him again at night. Message to the Moat⁴ + cycled out there, getting a puncture in front tyre. Jack⁵ + Miss Wallace⁶ came to supper.

¹ Kirklea, Ashkirk, home of Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Scott Ogilvie née Anderson (1879-1965) and her husband W H Ogilvie.

² North Sinton, Ashkirk is close to Kirklea but there is no information in the 1921 Census that might identify such a child.

³ Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir.

⁴ The Mote, south of Howden Hill, does not appear to be identified among the number of houses listed at Howden and Brownmuir in the 1923 Valuation Roll and yet such a property must be have been occupied if Dr Muir was making a visit. The 1886 Valuation Roll links a property named only Moat (occupier William Arnot, shepherd) with Brownmuir, as part of the Haining estate of the Pringle Pattisons [1886 Valuation Roll, VR011700006-/472, Selkirk County, page 472 of 513], see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 30 May 1922 for more detail.

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

⁶ It is not yet possible to identify Miss Wallace.

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