The dust was quite laid + the ground looked wet but it was a warm day with a drought E wind: very pleasant. Gave Chlor[oform] to Mrs Taylor¹, Manorhill (the gardener’s wife) [word deleted] from whom Dav.² removed a cystic ovary + her appendix. Alice Smith³ helped him. Then I motored to Sundhopeburn + Scaurneuk⁴ taking Miss Campbell⁵. It was a pleasure to travel without dust clouds + I had no overcoat. Minnie Brown⁶ came down at 3.30 + we made out the V.A.D. Medal list. Went to evening service where Mr [left blank], Aberdeen preached on laying of sound foundations⁷.

¹ Alison Young Taylor née Collier, who had married 1912, at Selkirk, Albert Taylor, gardener; in 1921 Albert was “Inhabitant Occupier not rated” at Manorhill, Selkirk [marriage 1912, 778/ 32, Selkirk and 1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/329, Selkirk County, page 329 of 611]

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

³ Alice Barbara Stewart Smith (1892-1970), of the Firs, Selkirk, daughter of Patrick Smith, advocate, and Alice Smith née Paterson; a medical practitioner, M.B., Ch.B. (Edin. 1920), M.D. (Edin. 1929), Diploma in Public Health, Dublin, 1922, Diploma in Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, 1931, Alice worked in a number of medical instructions but spent most of her adult life in India and died 31 January 1970 at Amherst Cottage, Kodaikanal, South India

⁴ Sundhopeburn, Yarrow, grid reference NGR NT329,245 and Scaurneuk, Yarrow, NT345,261

⁵ Miss Sarah Campbell is unidentified

⁶ See also diary entry for 14 July 1921; Minnie Mackay Brown (1874-1966), teacher and V.A.D. nurse who served in Egypt and France 1916-1919; curiously the Editor’s list of the people who appear in Dr Muir’s diaries does not record her as one of those young women who received acknowledgment, in contrast to Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger, Marion Vassie ‘May’ Lindsay, Margaret Isabel Dunlop or Gertrude Isabella ‘Gerty’ Craig Brown for example [‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922]

⁷ The parable of building strong foundations is not unique, see for example Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:48

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

There was a heavy shower during last night + today was dull + sunless with an easterly wind. There was a nice rain again in the evening. I gave Chlor[oform] to Mrs Rennie¹ daughter of Scott, Elmpark Lodge² while D.³ curetted. Then I saw 3 cases + tackled the accounts which I finished late at night.

¹ Joan Jean McEwan Scott (1888-), milliner, had married David Reid Rennie junior of Partick at Elm Park Cottage, Selkirk, on 14 January 1920; she was the daughter of William Scott and Agnes Findlay

² William Scott, tweed finisher, tenant of a house at Elm Park, Scott’s Place, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/123, Selkirk Burgh, page 123 of 644]

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

I hadn’t a single thing to do till I got a message to see Williamina Scott¹, Dovecot in the afternoon. [word deleted] but I was for 2 hours solid standing to give Chlor[oform] first for Nelly Turnbull² whose breach D. removed + Jas. Riddell³ from whose elbow he removed some tuberculous bone. Made out accounts. Attended Mrs Little⁴, Croft Terrace who had a d. at 6.20. p.m. Dora⁵, Crissie⁶ + Miss Campbell⁷ went in the car to Glenkinnon⁸ + called for Mich [?] Glendinning⁹. There were a few drops of rain in the morning + evening but nothing at all. Letters from Guy and Helen¹⁰.

¹ Williamina Scott, Dovecot is presumably Miss Wilhelmina Keddy Scott (about 1844-1923), dressmaker, who was proprietor of a house and garden at 22 Dovecot Park, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/131, Selkirk Burch, page 131 of 644]

² Nelly Turnbull’s baby does not appear to have survived and Dr Muir’s phrasing here is not positive

³ Assume James Riddell, millworker, who was tenant at 3 Inglis Close, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/153, Selkirk Burch, page 153 of 644]

⁴ Jean Messer Little, born 15 July 1921, daughter of James Little, cabinetmaker, and Jean Little née Walker, married 1913, Selkirk [1921, 778/76, Selkirk]

⁵ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁶ Christina Robertson Rodger ‘Christy’ or ‘Chrissie’ Patrick (1891-1960), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (c.1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official, and David Patrick, solicitor, of Hamilton

⁷ Miss Sarah Campbell is unidentified

⁸ The Glenkinnon Burn descends from the back of Elibank and Traquair Forest, descends through grid reference NGR NT425,339 and debouches into the River Tweed immediately above Ashiestiel Bridge.

⁹ Assume Michael Glendinning (d.1922), retired farmer, tenant occupier, house and garden at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish [1919 + 1920 Valuation Rolls] and formerly the tenant at Williamhope [1905 Valuation Roll]

¹⁰ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), United Free Church of Scotland Minister, Dr Muir’s brother and his wife Helen Drysdale Wilson (though if the text reads letters – as it may – then Helen will refer to Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’’s third daughter)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

S.E. Cool: pleasant, dull towards evening + a few (literally) drops of rain. Small town list + no country work till a ‘Phone message at 3 to a man Trotter¹, Sundhopeburn to which I cycled after a meeting of St Andrew Amb. Assoc.² at which, besides Chalmers³, Sec[retary], Mrs Mack⁴ (a member of the Com^ttee), myself (Chairman), the public was represented by T Craig Brown⁵ + Robert Currie Sen^r!⁶ A nurse friend of Dora’s = Sarah Campbell⁷ came for the week end. Minnie Brown came at night about V.A.D. medals⁸.

¹ Nathaniel Trotter, byreman, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Sundhopeburn, Yarrow [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/339, Selkirk County, page 339 of 611]

² The St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association, which had been “resuscitated”, as Dr Muir put it, by Chalmers and others in 1920 in response to the presentation of a Motor Ambulance by T Craig Brown [see diary entry for Tuesday 27 January 1920]

³ Assume James George Chalmers (about 1860-1943), solicitor, bank agent and sometime Town Clerk Depute; at Selkirk between at least 1903-1942, at Hillside Terrace and later at The Floors, Russell Place

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose home was known by Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’

⁵ Thomas Craig Brown or T Craig Brown (1844-1922), woollen manufacturer, antiquary and local historian

⁶ Robert Currie “senior” is presumably Robert Currie (about 1847-1923), hosiery manufacturer, the fourth of five generations with the same name but the elder of the two alive at this time; for the avoidance of misunderstanding across the long span of Dr Muir’s diaries he has always been identified as Robert Currie junior and his son, rather unsatisfactorily, as Robert Currie V

⁷ Sarah Campbell is not identified

⁸ See also diary entry for 17 July 1921; Minnie Mackay Brown (1874-1966), teacher and V.A.D. nurse who served in Egypt and France 1916-1919; curiously the Editor’s list of the people who appear in Dr Muir’s diaries does not record her as one of those young women who received acknowledgment of their V.A.D. contribution, in contrast with Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger, Marion Vassie ‘May’ Lindsay, Margaret Isabel Dunlop or Gertrude Isabella ‘Gerty’ Craig Brown for example [‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922]

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Pleasant day with cool almost sharp SE wind. 5 weeks today since there was any rain to do good. A girl Campbell¹ from a caravan who came into Hospital² last night with what Dav.³ thought was Diph[theria] died this evening of Malignant Scarlet Fever. Saw her three times + was present when she died at 7.20. Was not out of town. Made out some accounts. Dav. had a confinement at Fauldshope (Duguid⁴). Dora⁵ + Crissie⁶ had a walk to Bridgelands, St Helen’s + Broomhill⁷.

¹ Alice Campbell, died 13 July 1921, aged 16, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, usual residence 25 Home Street, Hamilton, of “Malignant Scarlatina 5 days” certified by “Dr John S Muir M.B. +c” [1921, 778/ 52, Selkirk]

² The Infectious Diseases Hospital (19th-20th Century), was at Buxton, grid reference NGR NT48515,28659, just east of Ashburn and Buxton Cottage at the north end of the Selkirk Hills, see Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire sheet XII.NW, revised 1930 [Source: Canmore ID 353686 Canmore Permalink]

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

⁴ James Duguid, born 12 July 1921 at Fauldshope Cottages, Kirkhope, daughter of Francis ‘Frank’ Duguid, ploughman, and Helen Duguid née Graham, married 30 April 1915, Peebles [1921, 776/ 4, Kirkhope]

⁵ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁶ Christina Robertson Rodger ‘Christy’ or ‘Chrissie’ Patrick (1891-1960), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger and David Patrick, solicitor, of Hamilton

⁷ Bridgelands, St Helen’s and Broomhill are close together, north east of Selkirk, and visible on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch Selkirkshire Sheet XII, publication date 1863

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A delightful day: sunny + warm but with a cooling E wind. Agnes + Maggie¹ left by the 9.37. I have enjoyed their visit greatly. Cycled to Hospital, several mills + Oakwood. [word deleted] Got photo group of Guy, Helen² + Dora³ + there was a copy for the Logans which arrived after they had left. Wrote Guy’s Helen: ordered some cigarettes. Helen⁴ + circus men at Elmpark⁵ for tea. Berries on Rowan tree actually showing redness.

¹ Agnes McIver Logan (about 1848-1928) and Margaret Jane Muir ‘Maggie’ Logan (about 1854-1926), daughters of Alexander Stuart Logan, advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousins; both died Logie, Stirlingshire

² The Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother, was married to Helen Drysdale Wilson

³ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁵ Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Fine dishes of strawberries

Cycled to Scaurneuk before breakfast. Much cooler + continued so all day. N.W. [wind] Was called to see Miss Harvey¹ (daughter of Harvey, Minto). They are living in Miss Lamb’s house². She is very pretty + looked 19 or 20 + turned out to be 30! Saw a town list of 11 + in the afternoon made out some accounts. Sent Agnes, Maggie³ + Crissie⁴ in the car to walk to the Gala Rigg⁵. We all + Jack⁶ dined at Elmpark⁷ where we had the usual generous hospitality. Wind pretty strong at night.

¹ Alexander Harvey, schoolmaster at Minto, Roxburghshire and his wife Isabella Tait Melrose had married 24 December 1885 at Selkirk and had three daughters of whom Ella Tait Melrose Harvey (1890-) and Margaret Minto Harvey (1892-) are the most likely matches

² Miss Lamb’s house cannot be readily identified because there was a number of different Lamb households in the Valuation Roll

³ Agnes McIver Logan (about 1848-1928) and Margaret Jane Muir ‘Maggie’ Logan (about 1854-1926), daughters of Alexander Stuart Logan, advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousins; both died Logie, Stirlingshire

⁴ Christina Robertson Rodger ‘Christy’ or ‘Chrissie’ Patrick (1891-1960), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger and David Patrick, solicitor, of Hamilton

⁵ Gala Rigg, east of Selkirk, grid reference NT495,273

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

⁷ Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), whose generosity was such that her home was known by Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Same hot dry brilliant weather but more wind. Delicious in the garden at night. Cycled to Oakwood, Bluecairn + Bowhill in forenoon. Did some writing +c in afternoon. Went to evening service with Maggie Logan¹ who was also at church in morning with Crissie². Mr Kirkwood³, Kelso, preached from “The Wrath of man shall praise him”⁴. Mrs Mackintosh⁵, Jack, Barb⁶ + Betty Cairns⁷ [?] were at supper + were all out in the tennis green after. David⁸ ran in to Ed. [Edinburgh] to see Norah⁹.

¹ Margaret Jane Muir ‘Maggie’ Logan (about 1854-1926), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan, advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousin; died Logie, Stirlingshire

² Christina Robertson Rodger ‘Christy’ or ‘Chrissie’ Patrick (1891-1960), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (c.1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official, and David Patrick, solicitor, of Hamilton

³ The Reverend Thomas Crawford Kirkwood (1849-1930), Church of Scotland minister, at Kelso Trinity about 1880-1926

⁴ “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” Psalms 76.10

⁵ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁶ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), mill owner and Dr Muir’s son-in-law and Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), his eldest daughter

⁷ Betty Cairns is not identified

⁸ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁹ Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971), wife of Dr David Charteris Graham (1889-1963), medical practitioner

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Another fearfully hot day. Motored to Scaurneuk + took Maggie Logan¹ returning via Bowhill + Colin’s Bridge. then to Faldonside to Mrs Ferguson² with bites on her leg. Then to Oakwood to see Lilly Grieve’s child³. It was very pleasant after dinner to sit in the tennis green with a minimum of clothing + read. The Logans are easily entertained + enjoy the garden. Agnes’⁴ deafness is a drawback to conversation but she is very nice + Maggie’s sharp good humour very enjoyable. They have brought a great many incidents of my boyhood to my recollection.

¹ Margaret Jane Muir ‘Maggie’ Logan (about 1854-1926), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan, advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousin; died Logie, Stirlingshire

² Mrs Ferguson, Faldonside appears to be a member of staff for the Dees family, perhaps a nurse or governess

³ Assume Lillias Linton Grieve (1918-2011), daughter of William Grieve, farmer, of Rawburn, Duns, and Lillias ‘Lilly’ Grieve née Linton, married 11 April 1916, Manor Parish, Peeblesshire; she was thus the granddaughter of Simon Linton

⁴ Agnes McIver Logan (about 1848-1928), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan, advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousin; died Logie, Stirlingshire

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A very hot sultry day. I left at 5.30 + cycled up to Scaurneuk, found Mrs Geddes¹ easier. Helped D.² at 2 ops. = Mrs Wight³, Thirlestane P. S. (whom he suspected to have ectopic cyst but it turned out a twisted appendix), + a boy of Jonny [?] Palfrey⁴ t. + a [tonsils and adenoids]. Hired from Bryson⁵ + took the 4 girls to Smailholm Castle + back by Bemersyde Hill where we had tea. Very enjoyable run which I actually did with a thin shirt, no semmitte⁶, no waistcoat + no overcoat! Dav. ran into Ed. [Edinburgh] at night to see Norah⁷ who has had a M.C.⁸

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

² Geddes Scaurneuk, Yarrow, 1921 John Geddes, shepherd, 1922 onwards then, Mrs Margaret Geddes nee Graham (about 1855-), were Proprietor Occupiers of a house, Scaurneuk, Yarrowfeus, Yarrow; John had died 29 August 1921, at Scaurneuk, Yarrow, aged 78 and she was born about 1855, supposedly at Libberton, Lanarks [1921! 779/1 2, Yarrow; 1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009- ]

³ Mrs Wight is Sarah Jane Forrest Anderson (1887-1937), born Courhope aka Cour Hope, Eddleston, Peeblesshire and formerly of Brownrig, North Berwick, had married 6 December 1912 at Selkirk Manse, William Wight, Police Constable, of the Police Station, Thirlestane, Ettrick [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/314, Selkirk County, page 314 of 611; marriage, 1912, 778/ 48, Selkirk

⁴ The Palfrey family had moved to Selkirk from Tillycoultry, Clacks, but it has been extremely difficult to identify the individuals referred to here as Palfrey and child

⁵ Bryson later Croall, Bryson & Co. Ltd., Municipal Garage, High Street, motor dealers

⁶ Semmit, n. Also sem(m)et, se(a)mit, semmad (Cai.). A man’s (or ‡woman’s) undershirt or vest, usu. of wool or flannel (m. and s.Sc. 1869 Athenaeum (13 March) 382, Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 352; Gall. 1904 E.D.D.). Gen.Sc. [Dictionar o the Scots Leid]

⁷ Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971), wife of Dr David Charteris Graham (1889-1963), medical practitioner

⁸ M.C. is an abbreviation occasionally used by Dr Muir but its context has never made it possible to identify the condition referred to

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]