Left Prestwick at 10.20. The old man¹ was , of course, not up when I left + was rather tired after yesterday. He was delighted to get a letter from Cath. Maurice [?] (née Taylor²) from Shanghai with photos of his great grandson. He has now 4 grandchildren. Viz: Maurice [?], Taylor³, Gillan⁴ and [blank space⁵]. He is very well off with his housekeeper Margt. who is a capital cook + manager. She has now a girl to help her. This was a fine day + I had a much quicker journey, reaching Gala at 3.22. Baptie⁶ met me + I went to Peelburnfoot. David [Graham] has had a busy time. I had a compartment to myself all the way from Glasgow to Gala. Got a cup of tea at the Waverley. Saw some cases in the evening. The Prince of Wales was in Glasgow today⁷ + there were some flags flying.

¹ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and widower of Catherine Stewart Muir, thus Dr Muir’s brother in law; living at Prestwick, Ayrshire

² Catherine Taylor appears to have married someone called Maurice but neither her husband nor child have been identified

³ Jane ‘Jean’ Logan Taylor née Rennie (about 1856-), daughter of The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir, thus Dr Muir’s niece; she married 1882, Berkeley Terrace, Glasgow, Edward Earl Taylor and, though the Editor continues to research the matter, it looks probable that a male line continued to produce a great grandchild surname Taylor while a female line produced the great grandchild surname Maurice, see footnote 2 above

⁴ Margaret Douglas Gillan née Ord Mackenzie (1891-1973), daughter of Montague Allan Ord Mackenzie and Frances Gordon ‘Fanny’ Ord Mackenzie née Rennie (and therefore Dr Muir’s great niece); she married, 1917, (James) Angus Gillan (1885–1981), Olympic rower and colonial administrator; they had two children, Frances Margaret Gillan (1920-1940) and Anthony James Allan Gillan (1924-2015); the former born 6 February 1920 and thus part of Rennie’s collection of great-grandchildren referred to in this diary entry

⁵ With one of four great grandchildren identified with confidence and two in principle (see footnotes 3 and 4) the remaining great grandchild presents an almost insuperable difficulty with no surname recorded and presumably therefore through a family line less well known to Dr Muir

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

⁷ During 8-10 March 1921 the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, received the freedom of the City of Glasgow, launched a ship at John Brown’s yard and attended a luncheon party at Blythswood House, Renfrewshire [Sources: The National Library of Scotland and Lafayette Negative Archive

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

Keen frost this morning: surface water frozen: not clear like yesterday but quite sunny till evening when it drizzled + then rained. The old man’s 95^th birthday passed off successfully¹. He had letters from friends + flowers [?]. He was disappointed there was none from Lizzie² not knowing she was coming down. I met her + Nancy³ at 12.20 + their coming was a great surprise to Mr R. We had the /75 Madeira⁴ + early dinner + took R. out for a short walk. Lizzie left about 6 + I walked to the station with her. Mr Gibson the U.F. minister⁵ called in the evening. Rennie talked almost without remission + chiefly of course about himself + his doings. He has a wonderful memory + is very entertaining. I found that he had seen his great grandmother (when a boy of 6-8) who was born in 1738 + died in 1836. He also remembers living in St. James Square at the age of 4, having been born there.

¹ This was the birthday of the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and widower of Catherine Stewart Muir, thus Dr Muir’s brother in law; living at Prestwick, Ayrshire

² Elizabeth Orr ‘Lizzie’ Guthrie Smith née Rennie (1858-1928), daughter of the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir, thus Dr Muir’s niece

³ Assume Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter; it is quite possible that she had travelled part of the way with Lizzie Guthrie Smith, her cousin

⁴ Dr Muir had previously been given bottles of 1875 Madeira by his generous friend Mrs Mackintosh of Elm Park “The Magic Cave”

⁵ The Reverend Alexander Gibson (about 1869-1954), Free Church minister, at Prestwick South U.F. Church 1912-1934

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

I had a fairly good night but a bit of coughing. Went for a walk in the forenoon to the old Prestwick Church¹ from which a fine view all round can be had. It was a cheat sunny day with a cold N wind. Arran was lovely + Goat Fell covered with snow stood out glittering. Then I walked along the golf course, crossed Powie² + smoked a cigarette in the shelter of the sand hill: came along the shore to the far end of the St Nicholas course³ + home. I hardly coughed at all + my cold seemed cured. Dined with Rennie⁴ at 20.30 + it was 4 before we rose. He talked the whole time. Wrote a card to Helen⁵ + walked along to the P.O. returning by the esplanade. Rennie showed me a most interesting album of dates [?] with cuttings from newspapers of different incidents in his ministerial career.

¹ Prestwick, Kirk Street, Old Parish Church, Canmore ID 41702

² Assume the Prestwick Golf Course and the Pow Burn which runs past the old church at grid reference NGR NS347,266 before running north behind the sand dunes to join the sea at NS340,281

³ St Nicholas Golf Course, Prestwick, NS343,247

⁴ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Dr Muir’s brother in law, being the widower of his sister Catherine Stewart Muir

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

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

A soaking of snow on the ground again which made me decide to go to Prestwick by rail today instead of motoring tomorrow. Saw some town cases + left from Gala at 1.15. Motored over + gave Roger Quin¹ a lift. Had an hour in Edin. + got a cup of Bovril. Had more than 1¹/₂ hours in Glasgow. It was raining when I got there but I walked to St Enoch. Got to a Prestwick a little before 8 + enjoyed my supper. Found Rennie remarkably well. Gave him a Selkirk Bannock²: some panatellas + a bottle of /75 Madeira³. It was raining in Glasgow + I had to put my Burberry over my fur coat. It was so wet at Prestwick that I had to take a cab.

¹ Roger or Rodger Quin or Quinn (1850-1925), Dumfries born but staying at this time in Selkirkshire; known as the Tramp Bard or Homeless Poet, his verses were described by Sir George Brisbane Douglas of Springwood as “harmonies evolved out of the very depths of sadness”

² The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Dr Muir’s brother in law; widower of Catherine Stewart Muir q.v., living at Prestwick, Ayrshire

³ Dr Muir had previously been given bottles of 1875 Madeira by his generous friend Mrs Mackintosh of Elm Park, see diary entry for 24 February 1921

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

A drying day but pretty cold from N.W. Cycled to Oakwood¹ + Fauldshope and Shielshaugh + in afternoon walked to Forest Road, Oakhurst, Ashybank +c. With Helen + Barbara² motored to Gala at night to see “The Yeoman of the Guard”. It was the first time I had been in the Gala Playhouse.³ It is very nice. We were in the “Family Circle” (4/-)⁴. The performance was excellent. Jeffrey as the Jailer, Mrs Rob. Ruthven⁵ as Eliza Maynard, + John Dunn as the Jester were particularly good.

¹ Dr Muir was making repeated visits to Simon Linton at Oakwood around this time.

² Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper and Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996).

³ The Galashiels Playhouse opened on Market Street in 1920 as a dance hall, theatre and cinema and is currently (2022) celebrating its belated centenary.

⁴ This was the standard expression of four shillings and no pence (d) pre-decimalisation (the Editor feels that it is redundant to explain this but one would now have to be 60-ish to have used ‘old money’).

⁵ Assume Jessie Kerr Ruthven née Turner (1893-1941), wife of Robert Ruthven, plumber, son of Baillie Ruthven and sometime 2nd Lieutenant A.S.C.; Jessie and Robert had married 1915, at Ladhope Parish Church, Galashiels.

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

Ground white with snow which had practically all disappeared by the afternoon. There was a shower on the hills about 1. It was pretty cold but there was a good deal of sun. I motored to Glebe Terrace +c Oakwood Mill, Oakwood + Lewenshope. Took a pair of knickers¹ + a coat to Walt. Dobson² for repairs. Dav.³ had no country work. I made out some postponed accounts. Helen⁴ had tea at Wellwood⁵ + met Mrs Dees⁶. + she called for Mrs Scott at Viewfield. People called [? McLaren⁷] called to ask me to see his sister at Yarrowfeus whom Hiddleston⁸ is attending as a lunacy case.

¹ Cycling knickers (from Knickerbockers) were narrowly cut breeks cut only just to the knee; they were suited to cycling but did not have the width of cloth or the ‘give’ for activities requiring greater flexibility where plus twos or even plus fours would be called for

² Walter Dalgleish Dobson (1861-1936), master tailor, at Tower Street, Selkirk, 1911 Census; born Selkirk, married to Jessie Grierson

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

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

⁵ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk was the home of Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, and her family

⁶ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), daughter of the Reverend Canon Dr. James Henderson and Jane Lowrey, born 7 April 1872, the Vicarage, Ancroft, Northumberland, died 8 March 1948, The Manager’s Residence, Rustenburg Platinum Mine, Rustenburg, Transvaal, South Africa; she married, 1898, Robert Irwin DeesPhyllis Dees’ mother had several sisters, two of whom – Robina Margaret (d.1941) and Isobel Anne (d.1946) – never married

⁷ Not identified but the sister appears (see diary entry for 3 March 1921) to have been staying with Mary Turnbull née Ritchie, widow of Walter Turnbull, roadman and the liferentrix and proprietrix of a house at Townfoot, Yarrowfeus, Yarrow [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/340, Selkirk County, page 340 of 611]

⁸ John Murray Hiddleston (1891-1954), L.R.C.P.S., L.R.F.P.S., medical practitioner; he had purchased Dr John Wilson’s Selkirk medical practice around 1916

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

Cold, dull, windy but dry day. At the house gave Tom Scott¹, Mavisbank, gas + Dav². excised his right tonsil. Saw 4 walking + then motored to Oakhurst³, Dunsdale, Lewenshope Cottages, Oakwood⁴ + Oakwoodmill getting back at 2.40. Was not out again. Got letter from Pat.⁵ of date Jan.

Helen⁶ was at Wellwood⁷ at a meeting about the girl guides.

¹ Not identified, there were a number of Scott households at Mavisbank at this time

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

³ John S Nichol, mill manager, was Tenant Occupier of Oakhurst, Viewfield Park, Selkirk, [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/170, Selkirk Burgh, page 170 of 644]

⁴ Dr Muir was making repeated visits to Simon Linton at Oakwood around this time

⁵ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

⁶ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁷ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk was the home of Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, and her family

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

Dull day: strongish S.W. wind slight drizzle intermittently in forenoon + more marked later wetting the pavements. I had a town list of 30 of whom I saw 17 walking at first + then cycling on my way to + from Fairnilea + Peelburnfoot. David¹ having to go to Carterhaugh + Kirkhope did Oakwood. Helen² paid the books in the forenoon + in the afternoon some accounts + got £2 stolen (she thinks) by a girl in And. Douglas’ shop³. Got P.C. [post card] from Rennie⁴, he says he could take me.

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

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

³ Andrew Douglas was Tenant Occupier of a shop at 8 Market Place, Selkirk [ 1921 VR007900012-]

⁴ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Dr Muir’s brother in law; widower of Catherine Stewart Muir q.v., living at Prestwick, Ayrshire

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

Coldish dull drying day W. to N.W. [wind]. Saw a few town cases + was at Viewfield from 10.30 to 1.30 giving Chlor[oform] for 6 operations Viz. Nelly Turnbull¹ (mammary tumour), Mrs Ad. Brown² (curetting), Mrs Geo. Crichton³ (necrosis of [?olecranon]), Baby Piercey⁴ (circumcision), Francis Leslie⁵ (tonsils) + a servant from Philiphaugh (tonsils). In afternoon motored to Oakwood⁶. Jack, Nancy, Barb⁷, Mrs Milne + W Bowden⁸ at supper. Went to evening service.

¹ Not identified

² Not identified

³ Assume Lottie Ruth Crichton née Johnson (1870-1942), who had married George Crichton, Selkirk-born printer and compositor, September Quarter 1897 at King’s Norton, Birmingham [King’s Norton, 6c 852]

⁴ The Editor assumes that Baby Piercy is Isaac Alexander Piercy, born 1920, Selkirk [1920, 778/ 34, Selkirk]

⁵ Assume Jean Forbes ‘Jeannie’ Leslie, born 16 March 1913 at Victoria Crescent, Selkirk, the daughter of Robert Vair Leslie, woollen warehouseman, and Lizzie Davidson Leslie née Douglas, married June 1912, [Birth, 1913, 778/ 58, Selkirk]

⁶ Oakwood was the home of Simon Linton (1836–1921), farmer, formerly of Manor, Peeblesshire

⁷ John ‘Jack’ Roberts and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and their eldest daughter Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts

⁸ Assume Mary Lee Davis Milne née Bowden (c.1873-1948), Serbian Cross of Mercy, St George’s Medal, sometime cook with Scottish Women’s Hospitals and at Bridgeheugh, Selkirk, 1921, and her brother William Douglas Davis Bowden (1875-1944), civil servant

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

Hoar frost + bright forenoon but cloudy after + a little rain. Had a good cycle run via Ashybank, Glebe Terrace, +c to Wellwood + Dundas Cottage¹. At latter saw Mrs Brydon²aet 85, pretty feeble + with some oedema of the legs +c. Roads very good. Strongish W. wind made it rather stiff going + very helpful coming. Did 15 miles returning in 1 h. 9 m. + the 16¹₄ in 1 h. 20 m. Had nothing from breakfast at 8 till tea at 4. Helen³ had supper at Viewfield.

¹ Dundas Cottage, Ettrick, tenants Misses Christina [perhaps aka Christian, see footnote below] and Elizabeth Brydon [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/312, Selkirk County, page 312 of 611]

² Christian Brydon née Sword (about 1836-1921) died 17 April 1921, aged 85; she was the widow of George Brydon, daughter of William Sword, gardener, and Christian Sword nee Brydon and her daughter Christian was the Informant [774/B 2, Ettrick]

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

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