This is the first morning for a week that there has been no fog.

There was only a very slight drizzle in the forenoon. It was cold with an E. wind but on the whole a reasonable day. I saw Mrs Harper¹ + Amos² at Viewfield, both as well as could be expected. Motored to Dunsdale Mill + Faldonside. Was in the house all afternoon except to see Mrs Archibald Johnstone³, the Glebe, who had [? Laryngitis]. Helen was all afternoon at a sale of work for Lord Roberts’ Workshops⁴ in Victoria Hall.

¹ Margaret Jane Harper née Lyle, of Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, wife of John Johnstone or Johnston Harper (c.1851-1932)

² John Amos, shepherd, had suffered a very serious compound fracture and dislocation at Glengaber, Yarrow on 14th October 1920; he was “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Glengaber, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ Not identified

⁴ Workshops for ex-servicemen, particularly those disabled, producing a range of toys, games and household items; they were named Lord Roberts’ Memorial Workshops in 1914, in memory of Field Marshall Lord Roberts (1832-1914) who had taken an interest in them, and were latterly operated by the S.S.A.F.A.; the last one in Scotland closed in 2013

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Change of weather. Drizzling rain all day from the east. Amos¹ came down in the Ambulance at 11 + we put his leg up. When at Viewfield got a message to Mrs Harper², Ettrick Terrace. She turned out to have appendicitis + after some trouble owing to the car having broken down at Bowhill, got David + he agreed that an operation was necessary so we got her to Viewfield + D. removed the appendix + a large very much irregular cystic fibroid. Mrs H. was over 2 hours under chlor[orform] + ether.

¹ John Amos, shepherd, had suffered a very serious compound fracture and dislocation at Glengaber, Yarrow on 14th October 1920; he was “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Glengaber, 1920 Valuation Roll

² Margaret Jane Harper née Lyle (c.1854-1927), of Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, wife of John Johnstone or Johnston Harper (c.1851-1932), coal, potato and grain merchant

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

I had a most terrible night of dyspepsia + had to rise at 4 + sit in the Smoke room.

Usual fog in morning + very hazy all day but sun strong. Cycled to Faldonside. Miss D.¹ better than I have seen her. Dav. [Graham] got message to Glengaber to see Amos² the shepherd who was said to have broken his leg. D. [Dr David Graham, co-partner] couldn’t go so I motored to Deuchar + walked over carrying the game bag with splints &c. Found a very severe compound frac[ture] + dislocation close to the ankle. Gave chlor[orform] + was assisted by a man [illegible] who with his wife is lodging there. Arranged to get Amos down to Viewfield tomorrow. Told Turnbull³ of Tinnis about it. Got a tremendous sweat walking down.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² John Amos, shepherd; he was “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Glengaber, Yarrow, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ William Turnbull, farmer, was tenant at Tinnis, Old Tinnis, Deuchar and Glengaber, Yarrow, 1920 Valuation Roll

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Dense fog again through which the sun never penetrated till after midday. Otherwise it was a calm, pleasant day with S.W. air. I met Dav. [Graham] at Mitchell’s, Wellwood + adjusted the splints¹. Cycled to [Faldonside deleted] Oakwood. Mr Linton² none the worse of getting his teeth out. Accounts being paid.

¹ Alexander Mitchell had fallen off a horse on 2nd October whilst riding at Headshaw with two of Dr Muir’s grandsons; he was a chauffeur, “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, John Roberts junior, manufacturer, Proprietor [1920 Valuation Roll]

² Not identified, though the Linton family was well established at Oakwood

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Dense fog in the morning which disappeared early + was followed by a perfect day. Gave chlor[oform] for Dav. to operate on Miss Scott¹, Bridgelands + remove her ovaries + a small fibroid. Cycled to Faldonside + allowed Miss Dees² to be carried down stairs + out to the front. Saw no town cases. Sat in the bower + read the papers. Got a long letter from Agnes Logan³ describing her [mental ?] condition after an attack of flu. Helen⁴ had tea at Elmpark⁵ + was down at Te Whare⁶ after dinner.

¹ Miss Scott of Bridgelands is not identified but William Scott was tenant farmer there in 1915 and 1920 Valuation Rolls

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

³ Agnes Logan (fl.1920), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan (c.1812-1862), advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousin

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

⁵ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson lived at Elm Park, Selkirk

⁶ Te Whare, 25 Scott’s Place, Selkirk, home of George Roberts, textile designer, and former home of John ‘Jack’ Roberts and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir; the name, Maori for house, little house or meeting place may well be rooted in John Roberts’ birthplace, New Zealand

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Had a charming cycle run with Archie Robertson¹. Left in the car at 6 + got the 6.40 at St Boswells for Kelso. It was daylight when we arrived. We ran to Cornhill via Sprouston + being unable to get any breakfast there as the inn was full of fishers, went on to the Blue Bell at Crookham². I took the wrong road from Cornhill viz the one to Mindrum which made it about a mile further. After breakfast we went to see the Flodden Memorial³ then back to Crookham [and] Ford + Etal⁴. At the latter saw the old castle. I had not been on this road for about 35 years. We went on via Grindon⁵ to Norham. Saw the castle: crossed to Ladykirk + went via Birgham to Kelso where we got tea + so home a little after 6.

¹ Archibald ‘Archie’ Robertson (c.1872-1952), chemist and druggist

² The Blue Bell Inn at Pallinsburn just E.S.E. of Crookham, grid reference NGR NT910,382

³ Flodden Memorial, NT890,373

⁴ Ford & Etal Estates are around NT932,380

⁵ Grindon, NT914,448), Norham, NT899,472, and Ladykirk, NT887,475

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Less wind + a good deal of sunshine but coldish. Very pleasant. Cycled to Bridgelands, Faldonside, Fairnilee E. Lodge + Bogle House. Was not out afterwards till evening service. Jack, Nancy + Barb¹. came to supper. I got all my preparation for an early start with Archie Robertson² for a cycle ride tomorrow, including shaving!

¹ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, and their daughter Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996)

² Archibald ‘Archie’ Robertson (c.1872-1952), chemist and druggist

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

A foggy morning followed by a most charming mild, sunny, calm day. It was great to be outside + I sat quite a long time reading in the bower with my little friend the Robin singing over my head. In the morning I walked to Heatherlie + Ravensheugh. Mr Steedman¹ is ill. I came back by Wellwood + readjusted Mitchell’s splints². I sat in the afternoon addressing town accounts. Helen cycled with Miss Dicken³ + Quosbarth⁴ to St Boswells where a pennon was presented to Earl Haig⁵ + he laid the foundation stone of cottages for 18 soldiers⁶.

¹ John Graeme Hay Steedman (1893-), solicitor, of Ravensheugh, Selkirk

² Alexander Mitchell had fallen off a horse on 2nd October whilst riding at Headshaw with two of Dr Muir’s grandsons; he was a chauffeur, “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, John Roberts junior, manufacturer, Proprietor [1920 Valuation Roll]

³ Not identified

⁴ Alison Tweedie Quosbarth (1875-1947), later Alison Tweedie, hospital nurse, born Newport, Fife, daughter of Johann Herman Quosbarth, ship-broker and German Consul, and Isabella Miller Moffat

⁵ Described as a “guerdon in silk and embroidery” [Southern Reporter, Thursday 14 October 1920]

⁶ On 9 October 1920 at 2.45 p.m. Field Marshall the Earl Haig laid the foundation stone for old soldiers’ homes at St Boswells on behalf of the Scottish Veterans Garden City Association (Incorporated) at a well attended event, at which were also present the Dukes of Buccleuch and of Roxburgh, Lord Salvesen and Sir Richard Waldie Griffith [Southern Reporter, Thursday 7 October 1920]

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Lovely day with touch of frost last night. Calm, mild, sunny all day but no drouth for the crops. Saw a few walking + helped Dav. [Graham] to open an abscess in one of the Wards at Viewfield. We concocted a reply to the letter from the B.M.A.¹ I cycled to Faldonside. Phyllis² much the better of getting up. Saw Nancy + Tim³ going out for a ride on their Greys. Got the County accounts posted. Helen⁴ went to the Picture House with Nancy.

¹ There was controversy at this time about the co-partnery’s newspaper advert for Viewfield as a private hospital, see diary entry for 7 October 1920

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

³ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s grandson

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughters

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

A better looking morning. Wind S.W., mild + pleasant: Heavy rain about 1. Bright + sunny after. Saw 7 town cases walking + sat down to the accounts about 11 + finished them at night. Was very little disturbed. David [Graham] came up at night with a most disquieting letter from the B.M.J.¹ about the advertisement of Viewfield in the Kelso Mail. “Our enemy hath done this”! Helen [Muir] went up Ettrick with D. [David Graham, co-parner] + called at Gilmanscleuch.

¹ The following diary entry states B.M.A. which on balance is more likely to be correct

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]