Cold dull morning + raining in forenoon. Thunder + very heavy rain in afternoon + not as cold. Saw town cases in forenoon walking. Got money from Bank for wages, books &c + in afternoon worked away getting day book up to date. Jack [Roberts] looked in at night. He has kindly let me have for Sat. a car he had hired from Bryson for the Gala horse show. Had a long run to Whitehope, Dryhope, Shankend¹ + Crook Cottage². Ralph + Alice Smith³ were capped yesterday.

¹ Shankend (not to be confused with the location and viaduct in Cavers Parish) is between Hopehouse and Thirlestane House, Ettrick Parish, approximate grid reference NGR NT292,162 and visible (but not named) on the Ordnance Survey Six Inch Selkirkshire Sheet XVIII.NW, published 1900, on the SE side of the road and just SW of Dundas Cottage; in 1920 the tenant was Alexander Ashcroft & Sons, contractors [Valuation Roll]

² Crook Cottage, Overkirkhope, Ettrick Parish, grid reference NT217,123, visible bottom LH corner of Ordnance Survey Six Inch Selkirkshire Sheet XVII.SE, published 1900

³ Alice Barbara Stewart Smith (1892-) and Ralph Colley Smith (1891-1957), children of Patrick Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute and Alice Paterson (1863-1943), daughter of D A Paterson, of Dalnaglar, Perthshire

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

Early this morning the sun shone in a cloudless sky but the day was overcast with a cold S.E. to E. wind. I twice had to warm myself at the Smoke room fire. Called for Mrs Geo. Douglas + saw her little twin boys¹. Saw Miss Dunn² who was looking very poorly but was better at night. Cycled to Curror Street, Ashybank (Tina Steele³, whose appendicitis wound is healed), Hospital, Knowepark + Elmrow. Dav. [Graham] came in from child welfare + we went over all the cases. Called at Viewfield + saw Miss Wright, John …, John Gray, Jane Johnstone, John Geddes (who had come down to get his hand dressed) + Mrs Taylor, a Newcastleton lady from Fairnilee [?] sent by Ed. Bramwell⁴.

¹ Assume Robert Henderson Douglas (1920-?1967) and Clive Romanes Douglas (1920-) [Sources: 778/ 73 and 778/ 74 both Selkirk, 1920]

² Unidentified

³ Miss Christina Steele, tenant occupier of a house at Ashybank, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll VR007900012

⁴ Edwin ‘Ed’ Bramwell (1873-1952), Professor, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P.E., Scottish neurologist, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1933 to 1935

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

Raining this forenoon from N.E, faired in afternoon + wind W.N.W. Ran down in motor to Mauldsheugh + found out what was to be done, as D. [David Graham] wanted to go to Edinburgh. Came back + saw some town cases on my way to Mrs Wood¹, Sunderland Hall Lodge. Then I went to Colin’s Bridge, Kirkhope Cottages, Shankend + Crook Cottage. Jas. Johnstone’s wife² has developed Phthisis. Took tea for Baptie³ + self which we had at the 20^th milestone. Got back at 4.30 + saw some more town cases. Had consultation till 7.15 + wrote Nancy⁴. Was disappointed to find the promise of fruit on plum tree + apples was gone but the strawberries are doing well.

¹ William Wood, forester, was the Inhabitant Occupier of a house East Lodge, Sunderland Hall, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

² Unidentified

³ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

⁴ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

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

Left Buttermere at 9 in their Ford taking some other people’s luggage for whom the car was to return. Nancy + Timmy¹ went as far as the end of Whitehaven road + intended walking back to Loweswater. I had about an hour to wait at Cockermouth + took a walk round. Got a “Scotsman”. When we left Cockermouth at 10.30 we went as I thought away from Carlisle² and so we did till we came to Brigham, where the engine took the other end of the train + we turned back to Rosegill where we found the main Carlisle to Maryport railway. I had more than an hour to wait in Carlisle + got to Hawick at 2.38. Baptie³ met me with Swift⁴ + I got home to tea about 3.30. There was a great accumulation of correspondence + accounts which I tackled + a good many people were in at night. David⁵ has had a pretty busy time. Jack⁶ looked in + took Mousey⁷ to the Pictures.

¹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s grandson

² The old L&NWR Cockermouth and Workington line headed westwards from Cockermouth following the River Derwent; Dr Muir’s train has turned back, presumably at or near Brigham Station, joined the Maryport & Carlisle Railway, Derwent Branch at Brigham Junction, crossed the River Derwent immediately, and eventually joined the Maryport & Carlisle Railway at a junction in a loop of the River Ellen east of Rosegill [Roseghyll] Colliery (grid reference NGR NY088,381) [Sources: Ordnance Survey Six Inch Cumberland Sheets LIV.NE (Cockermouth – Brigham Junction – Derwent Branch), LIV.NW (Brigham Station) and XLV.NE (Maryport & Carlisle Railway and Derwent Branch junction), all published 1900]

³ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

⁴ The Muir and Graham medical practice’s car; the Swift Motor Co. made Swift Cars in Coventry, England from 1900 to 1931 Swift Motor Co.

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

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

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

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

Today was fair but with mist on the highest hills till between 3 + 4. We went up Whiteless Pike¹ in the hope that we might manage Grasmoor but the mist on the latter prevented us though some other people continued up. We had lovely views of Crummock + Loweswater + of the deep chasms in the sides of the hills. We were nearly back at 3 when I found I had left my cape where we had been sitting away up on the hillside + I had to toil back. A foxhound called [left blank] went with me all the way. I had a hot bath after tea + did my packing.

¹ Whiteless Pike (660m) sits above Buttermere to its north, grid reference NGR NY179,189 while Grasmoor (852m) is further north still

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

Poured all morning heavily and I could only read + smoke. Wrote David + Helen that I would be home on Monday. About 3 it faired + I walked up Honister Hause: pulled a bunch of [not identified] Chloranthus + wild roses for Nancy. Finished a novel called “Priests of Progress” an antivivisection tirade¹. Mr Oldham, the Ormiston girl + Miss Butcher left this morning + there were some new arrivals.

¹ ‘Priests of Progress’ by Gertrude Colmore [Gertrude Baillie-Weaver née Gertrude Renton; pseudonym Gertrude Colmore (1855–1926), writer and feminist]

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

Went for a cycle run today. It was fair when I started but got wet at Loweswater + I hurried back about ¹/₂ mile. It faired however + I went on + had no more rain. I could hear thunder however + the signs of heavy rain when I got down the country. After Lamplugh the roads were dry. I went through Rowrah, Wath, Frizington, Cleator + Egremont to Calder Bridge + came back by Hale [sic], [illegible], Ennerdale Bridge + Kirkland rejoining my morning route near Lamplugh¹. I went right through the centre of the Iron Ore mining² + although not beautiful it was interesting. Got back in time for dinner. Nancy, Tim [Roberts] + Miss Butcher had gone for a walk [to] Honister + were caught in a thunder spate. Got letter from Helen [Muir].

¹ The various grid references are Lamplugh NY088,208, Rowrah NGR NY054,185, Frizington NY033,169, Wath NY027,145, Cleator NY015,134, Egremont NY015,105, Calder Bridge ‪NY042,059‬, Haile NY034,086, Ennerdale Bridge NY070,158 and Kirkland NY072,180

² There was a substantial iron ore (haematite) mining industry in West Cumbria; according to one source there had been 200-300 mines between Lamplugh and Egremont, some open cast but underground at Egremont [Sources: ‘A Long History of Coal, Iron and Steel in Cumbria’ and ‘The History of iron ore mining in West Cumbria’, Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, Thursday 23 September 2010]

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

A day of incessant rain + the mist was down. I never got outside the door + could only smoke + read. It was really rather slow. Wrote Frank Muir¹ to ask if he had got the part of the steering gear of the car from the Swift² people but before I had closed his letter I got a P.C.³ (Loch Skene⁴) from him to say he had got it + sent it to Selkirk. Got a letter from Tom Alexander⁵ offering himself for a week in Sept. + wrote him. Had another interesting talk with the Ornithologist after dinner. Nancy + Tim⁶ walked up to Newlands Hause + got very wet.

¹ Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1877-1972), electrical engineer and Dr Muir’s nephew

² The Swift was the car used by the Muir and Graham medical partnership

³ Post card

⁴ Loch Skene, ENE of Birkhill on the Selkirkshire – Dumfriesshire boundary, grid reference NGR NT171,164; the loch debouches into the Tail Burn above the Gray Mare’s Tail

⁵ Not identified

⁶ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and their son George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)

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

A much [sic] mild day + no rain. Wind more to N.W. We had a walk in forenoon through the wood on the far side of Buttermere + round by Gatesgarth¹ + Nancy had tea with me at 2.30 instead of lunch + then we walked along to the top of Rannerdale Knott² [sic] where we had the great pleasure of seeing a buzzard. Miss Butcher, a lady staying here, walked to High Stile + had a rough time coming down some screes. Sent P.C. [postcard] to Evelyn Couper³ + Madge Ogilvie⁴ who had written me enclosing a specimen of Linnaea borealis⁵ she had got of Borden [?].

¹ Probably referring to Burtness Wood on the south west side of Buttermere, so Dr Muir (and whoever he was with – it is not apparent) went all the way round the lake on this occasion

² Rannerdale Knotts (355m) sits between Whiteless Pike to the east and Crummock Water and the Loweswater road to the west about a mile north of Buttermere village, see also diary entry for 29 June 1920

³ Evelyn Susannah Couper, sometime Clark Couper (1872-1927), see also diary entry for 29 June 1920

⁴ Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Ogilvie née Scott Anderson (1879-1965) of Kirklea, Ashkirk

⁵ If this reading is correct it is Linnaea borealis, the twinflower or cinnamon vine, a member of the Caprifoliaceae family

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

A day of terrific wind S. or S.W. + rain which kept us in the house all day. It faired a little about 4 + I walked along to the foot of Rannerdale Knott¹ [sic] by the old road, returning by the high road. I wrote several letters, to Dav. [David Graham, co-partner], Helen [Muir], Mrs Mackintosh (who has sent me a humorous P.C). Got letter from Helen enclosing a P.C. from Evelyn Clark Couper² who is touring in Wales. Had an interesting talk with a man who knows Ornithology + Botany [?]. Sour Milk Gill³ was very full + we could hear its rush. I cleaned my bicycle.

¹ Rannerdale Knotts (355m), grid reference NGR NY167,182, sits between Whiteless Pike to the east and Crummock Water and the Loweswater road to the west, about a mile north of Buttermere village

² A Miss Evelyn Clark Couper made a bequest to the British Museum in 1930 of a decanter, glasses and stand, through Mackenzie, Innes & Logan here; she was Evelyn Susannah Couper, sometime Clark Couper (1872-1927), daughter of David Couper (1839-1913), Church of Scotland minister, and Christina Jane Couper née Clark, married 1871, Blairgowrie; Evelyn was born at Tynron, Dumfriesshire, the family was living at Thornfield, Selkirk in the 1911 Census and she died at Traquair; her maternal grandfather was Thomas Clark (c.1801-1865), law book seller (1851 Census), later a publisher and the founder of T & T Clark of Edinburgh [Sources: Statutory BMDs and Census; Hew Scott (Ed.) ‘Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; the Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation, Vol 2: Synods of Merse & Teviotdale, Dumfries & Galloway’, Edinburgh, 1917; John A H Dempster, ‘The T & T Clark Story’, Bishop Auckland, 1992]

³ Sourmilk Gill runs out of Bleaberry Tarn below Chapel Crags, opposite Buttermere village, NGR NY168,157

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