Weather the same only wind round to S.S.W. but very slight. Unclouded sky all day. One or two brown patches appearing on the Park. The potatoes at the bottom gardens were slightly frosted the night before last. There is a splendid show of strawberry blossoms. There was not a single message except to Miss Dunn¹ who is quite imbecile + does not realise that Tom² is dead. Cycled to Faldonside, Philiphaugh + Oakwood. Lovely in garden. Letter from Margaret Gillan (Gerty)³ offering visit on 15th, asked her to stay over to 17th (Common Riding⁴). Admissions of friendship only at Elmpark⁵.

¹ Hyndmer Rutherford ‘Miss’ Dunn (about 1843-1922), daughter of John Dunn, chemist & druggist, and Hyndmer Rutherford Dunn née Hewat

² Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (about 1844-1921), druggist, chemist and Registrar, of 9 High Street, Selkirk, had died 13 February 1921

³ Margaret Douglas ‘Gerty’ Gillan née Ord Mackenzie (1891-1973), daughter of Montague Allan Ord Mackenzie and Frances Gordon ‘Fanny’ Ord Mackenzie née Rennie; she had married, 28 August 1917, Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, James Angus Gillan (1885–1981), twice Olympic gold medal rower and colonial administrator

⁴ Selkirk Common Riding is held on the second Friday after the first Monday in June

⁵ Dr Muir and his good friend Mrs Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper, had had some kind of romantic moment at Elm Park on her birthday on the 4 June

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

An absolutely perfect day. There was hardly a cloud in the sky all day. The wind was N.E. + just enough to temper the heat. David¹ being here I hadn’t much much to do. Saw about a dozen cases cycling. Charlie Spittal² ’Phoned that he + his wife + Gladys were coming to Melrose + would come here for tea, which they did. Charlie + I walked down to the cemetery to see his father’s tombstone³. Gladys has grown into a tall girl. She is one day older than Barbara⁴. In the afternoon in the afternoon I walked out to Greenhead + had a most glorious view. Dora⁵ had tea at Lauriston⁶. Nancy⁷ + Barbara came to tea with the Spittals.

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

² Charles James ‘Charlie’ Spittal, rancher and accountant, who came back to the UK to fight in the First World War; he was married to Frances Hay Wilson and they had a daughter Gladys Stuart Spittal, later Lilleide (1902-1971)

³ Charles Grey Spittal (about 1836-1891), sheriff substitute of Selkirk 1881-1891; at his death he owed Dr Muir £32 5s

⁴ Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest granddaughter

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

⁶ Lauriston, Heatherlie, Selkirk was the home of Katie Smith née Locke (c.1854-1934) and family; she was the widow of Thomas Smith, woollen manufacturer

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter

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

Very strong NE wind + very dull till between 4 + 5 when the sun came out. David¹ came last night on a Ruby Triumph Motorbicycle². We went down to Faldonside, I in the car + he on his bike, + opened Mrs Dees³ hand under gas. I came back to Philiphaugh + Oakwood. Went down to Faldonside again at night. In the morning I walked to Dunreay⁴ + Buxton.

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

² It is most likely that this is a ruby red Triumph but with the capitalisation it cannot be ruled out that Dr Muir has seen a motorbike of the Ruby Cycle Co. Ltd., Royal Ruby Works, Altrincham which made a 976 c.c. two cylinder four-stroke

³ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), at Faldonside from 1920

⁴ Dr Muir was at Dunreay presumably to see Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer

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

Not so fine. Some mist in the early morning + words deleted less sunshine. Coldish NE wind. Message to Mrs Dees¹, Faldonside. Ran down first thing in car + took Peter² behind³. Mrs D had a palmar abscess. Saw And. Brown⁴ twice (no better). Cycled to Riddell, Lilliesleaf, Midlem + Buxton⁵. Took my tea with me + had it in the cut down wood above Netheraw⁶. It was bright there. David⁷ at Elmpark. Miss Wallace⁸ came up to look after Peter. Jack, Nancy + Barbara⁹ there. It was Mrs Mack’s¹⁰ birthday + she gave me a great feast + loaded us with chocolates at parting. In the dining room at parting we had a tender passage!

¹ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), wife of Robert Irwin Dees

² Peter Allan is not (yet) identified

³ Peter will have been passenger in a ‘dickie seat’, presumably behind Dr Muir and his driver; the dickie was a spare seat in early cars, behind the driver’s and first passenger’s cab, deployed by opening a cover built into the rear bodywork, often fully upholstered but offering an isolated and exposed ride

⁴ Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

⁵ Buxton Cottage, Selkirk is on the road that leads past Pringle Park to the Selkirk Hills; at grid reference NGR NT483,287 it is shown on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch Selkirkshire Sheet XII.NW published 1900

⁶ Netherraw, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NGR NT553,239, but the location of the woods cannot be identified

⁷ Jane Wallace (1874-), nurse to the Roberts family, Dr Muir’s grandchildren [see diary entries for 6 April 1915, 22 October 1916 and 7 April 1918 and 1911 Census]; she was born at Langbarns, Tongland, Kirkcudbrightshire

⁸ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), theatrical agent, husband of Dr Muir’s daughter Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir and very ill by this date

⁹ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior, Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and their eldest daughter Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg

¹⁰ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), formerly of Elm Park, Selkirk; immensely generous, her home was sometimes described 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]

Another absolutely perfect day. Wind round to S. Helen¹ left at 10 + motored to Carlisle to meet Peter Allan². She got back at 5.30 having done the journey without mishap or delay. I cycled in the town, out to Buxton³ + then to Howden⁴ + Oakwood, Yarrow Terrace + Tweed Mill. Saw Andrew Brown⁵, Dunreay 3^x. Dora⁶ doing the cooking + housekeeping to perfection. Delightful in garden. Swallows at the eaves for the first time this year.

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

² Peter Allan is not (yet) identified

³ Buxton Cottage, Selkirk is on the road that leads past Pringle Park to the Selkirk Hills; at grid reference NGR NT483,287, it is shown on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch Selkirkshire Sheet XII.NW published 1900

⁴ Howden is a small cluster of properties south west of Selkirk, grid reference NGR NT452,271, proprietor Professor Andrew Seth Pringle Pattison, occupied by a number of people including Peter S Herkes, roadman, William Elder, gardener, William Horsburgh, shepherd, James Weir, ploughman and Michael Reddington, ploughman [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/326, Selkirk County, page 326 of 611]

⁵ Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

⁶ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

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

A most glorious day like Monday week when [I] had my long run. Uninterrupted sunshine + a gentle cool NW wind. After seeing a few town cases cycled to Hospital, Faldonside (message to see Dees¹ who has a swollen face from fly bites), Buccleuch Road, Beechwood, Philiphaugh Stables + Oakwood², getting back after 3. Had a quiet afternoon chiefly in the arbour when Mrs Mack³ gave me a call. She had been in Edinburgh + had called for Jean⁴. Had to go out at 9.30 out to Buxton⁵.

¹ Robert Irwin ‘Robber’ Dees (1872-1943), had inherited approximately £90,000 on the death of his uncle Robert Richardson Dees, solicitor, of Wallsend, in 1908 and had taken the tenancy of Faldonside in 1920

² Simon Linton (1836–1921), farmer, of Manor, Peeblesshire and latterly of Oakwood, Selkirk

³ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁴ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁵ Buxton Cottage, Selkirk is on the road that leads past Pringle Park to the Selkirk Hills; at grid reference NGR NT483,287 it is shown on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch Selkirkshire Sheet XII.NW published 1900

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

The barometer bounded up from 20 to 12 yesterday to 10 just this morning. It was still coldish but quite fair. Saw half a doz town cases walking, + Viewfield. Cycled to Lilliesleaf going + coming by Midlem. Took Mrs Black¹, Whitmuirhall Toll the egg basket she sent me the gulls eggs in. Saw And. Brown² twice, he was no better. Called out at 8.30 to see a Miss McLeish living with Miss Chalmers³ in Alec Brodie’s⁴, Forest Road. Made Helen⁵ keep her feet up all day.

¹ John Black, gamekeeper, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at The Old Tollhouse, Whitmuirhall, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/333, Selkirk County, page 333 of 611]

² Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

³ Neither Miss McLeish nor Miss Chalmers has been identified

⁴ Alex J Brodie, joiner, was tenant at 22 Forest Road, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/171, Selkirk Burgh, page 171 of 644]

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper had been suffering with blistered feet

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

Fair today + sunny in the afternoon. Very slight N to NE wind. Much pleasanter but not warm. Dyspepsia troublesome + small town list. 8 cases: saw Andrew Brown¹ twice + a Miss McLeish² with Alec Brodie³ [illegible]. Cycled to Lilliesleaf to Beatrice Gray⁴. Went + came by Midlem. Helen’s⁵ blistered feet very sore + I induced her to keep it up all day. Baptie⁶ motored Bella⁷ to Ettrickbridgend for her holiday.

¹ Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

² Miss McLeish is not identified, see also diary entry for 1 June 1921

³ Alex J Brodie, joiner, was tenant at 22 Forest Road, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/171, Selkirk Burgh, page 171 of 644]

⁴ Miss Beatrice Gray (about 1862-1940), Proprietor Occupier of a house ‘The Knowe’, Lilliesleaf [1925 Valuation Roll] but previously at Gowanlea, Cavers with her brother Peter, a farmer, and Elizabeth Gray, their widowed mother [1911 Census]

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

⁶ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

⁷ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper for whom Dr Muir had booked a room previously

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

Another showery day. At times the rain was very heavy but there were some blinks of sun between. I was not out of the town. Andrew Brown¹ pretty ill + very delirious. Saw him twice. Finished posting April + got book ready for June. David ² did Oakwood +c. Helen + Nancy³ walked to Ettrickbridgend to get rooms for Bella ⁴ which they secured at Miss Kennedy’s ⁵. Helen came home with a blistered heel. Helen came home with a blistered heel.

¹ Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

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

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and, Dr Muir’s third and second daughters respectively

⁴ Assume Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper but whether this is for recuperation (she had poor health) or a holiday is unclear

⁵ Mrs Annie Isabella Kennedy, recorded as tenant of property at Ettrickbridgend, Kirkhope in 1924, was widowed in 1921 but it may be that an unmarried daughter was managing the family’s affairs [1924 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/476, Selkirk County, page 476 of 611 1911] Census?]

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

Fair in morning but showery most of the day + not warm. Wind variable xxxxxx Was knocked up at 5.30 a.m. to see And. Brown¹, Dunreay. He had got out of bed himself + nearly fainted. Saw him again in forenoon. Had 2 cases of teeth with gas + a woman (Malkin²) at Viewfield in forenoon with D.³ + in afternoon D. operated on Scott⁴, Midgehope for append[icitis], a friend of D’s named Davidson⁵ assisted. Matron is away for a holiday. Went to evening service. Wellwood + Elmpark⁶ at supper.

¹ Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

² Jeannie Clark Malkin née Christie, see also diary entry for 13 May 1921

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

⁴ Henry Scott, farmer, was tenant at Midgehope, Ettrick [1921 Valuation Roll VR011700009-/311, Selkirk County, page 311 of 611]

⁵ Samuel Davidson (1871-1958), M.D., of Kelso is mentioned later in May 1921 but that may be a coincidence

⁶ The Wellwooders were John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior, Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg, John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts, Louisa Jane Roberts, later Rutherford, Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts, while Elmpark was the 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]