Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes

A fine day at last. First sunshine for more than a week. Wind W. + then N. Very pleasant + refreshing after the spell of grey skies. Cycled to Beechbank, Curror Street + Yarrow Terrace + then was at Viewfield from 11.20 till almost 2. Two appendices + a tonsillectomy. After lunch cycled to Tait’s Hill, Moat + Shawpark. Two P.C.s [post cards] from Dora from Marseilles.¹ Helen² + Miss Wallace³ went over to see the “Bohemian Girl” at Gala Playhouse.⁴ Dav.⁵ hears Broadmeadows⁶ is sold.

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter was en route Liverpool to Port Said, with Isabella Donald [see footnote 5] on S.S. Oxfordshire, official number 131454, – and their first port of call was Marseilles [source: UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, Liverpool, 2 March 1923].

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

³ It is not yet possible to identify Miss Wallace.

⁴ Assume The Bohemian Girl, an Irish romantic opera composed by Michael William Balfe with a libretto by Alfred Bunn.

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

⁶ Hugo C Lang (not otherwise identified, though the Lang family was well-known locally) was recorded as Proprietor Occupier of Broadmeadows House, Selkirk in the 1923 Valuation Roll but the Broadmeadows estate was thereafter apparently acquired by Robert Stewart, farmer.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Bitterly cold : dreary + sunless . Wind S.E, then S. + then S.W. Fair till 3 after which there was drizzling rain. Letter from Dora from Marseilles.¹ She has had a comfortable journey so far. Baptie² had to mend a puncture in the front wheel of my bike so I walked to Shawpark + found Boylan³ getting up. He was better. Then I cycled to Cannon Street (poor Mrs Brown⁴ severe haemorrhage) + the Moat walking up from Howden.⁵ Got this morning a copy of the Leith Observer with a paragraph referring to my letter in the Herald⁶ + suggesting that I should join the Port of Leith Association! So I wrote the Editor to ask about it. Helen⁷ went to Lauriston⁸ for supper.

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter was en route Liverpool to Port Said, with Isabella Donald [see footnote 5] on S.S. Oxfordshire, official number 131454, – and their first port of call was Marseilles [source: UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, Liverpool, 2 March 1923].

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

³ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, friend of Dr Muir, lived at Shawpark, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/375, Selkirk County, page 375 of 611].

⁴ Mrs Brown was Christine Brown née McGill (about 1867-), born Bathgate, Linlithgow, wife of Joseph Brown (about 1862-), cloth finisher with George Roberts & Co., who was tenant of a house in Cannon Street, Selkirk. They had two children James Brown (1898-) and Catherine Stewart Morrison Brown (1904-) [1923, Valuation Rolls VR011700009-/435, Selkirk County, page 435 of 605; 1921 Census, 59, 778/ 11/ 6, Selkirk County].

⁵ The Mote, south of Howden Hill, does not appear to be identified among the houses listed at Howden and Brownmuir in the 1923 Valuation Roll and yet such a property must be have been occupied if Dr Muir was making a visit. The 1886 Valuation Roll links a property named only Moat (occupier William Arnot, shepherd) with Brownmuir, as part of the Haining estate of the Pringle Pattisons [1886 Valuation Roll, VR011700006-/472, Selkirk County, page 472 of 513], see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 30 May 1922 for more detail.

⁶ Dr Muir had written to the Herald and had a letter published on his memories of the Scots Language in Leith, his place of birth, see diary entry for 8 March 1923.

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

⁸ Lauriston, Heatherlie, Selkirk, home of Katie Smith née Locke (about 1854-1934), widow of Thomas Smith, tweed manufacturer, and her daughters Catherine Adam ‘Cath’ Smith (1874-1929) and Jenny Locke Smith (1882-1952).

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Cold, sunless, dry : roads much drier S.E. [wind] Cycled to Kirklea¹ to tell Madge Ogilvie about the special carriage she wants for a child at N Sinton.² Then to Shawpark³ to see Boylan who, while I was there, had a heart attack – not a faint – with flushed face + cold purple hands. Stayed a bit with him + saw him again at night. Message to the Moat⁴ + cycled out there, getting a puncture in front tyre. Jack⁵ + Miss Wallace⁶ came to supper.

¹ Kirklea, Ashkirk, home of Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Scott Ogilvie née Anderson (1879-1965) and her husband W H Ogilvie.

² North Sinton, Ashkirk is close to Kirklea but there is no information in the 1921 Census that might identify such a child.

³ Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir.

⁴ The Mote, south of Howden Hill, does not appear to be identified among the number of houses listed at Howden and Brownmuir in the 1923 Valuation Roll and yet such a property must be have been occupied if Dr Muir was making a visit. The 1886 Valuation Roll links a property named only Moat (occupier William Arnot, shepherd) with Brownmuir, as part of the Haining estate of the Pringle Pattisons [1886 Valuation Roll, VR011700006-/472, Selkirk County, page 472 of 513], see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 30 May 1922 for more detail.

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

⁶ It is not yet possible to identify Miss Wallace.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Very cold day : once a few pellets of hail. Cycled in town + to Mill Street, Gibson & Lumgair, Raeburn Place : then to Hill Street¹ + via Hawick Road to Henhouse.² Then to Shawpark.³ Letter from Patrick.⁴ P.C. [post card] from Nancy⁵ who is in Cumberland.

¹ Hill Street, Selkirk is off Hillside Terrace almost immediately opposite the entrance to the High School.

² Henhouse is beyond the south end of Haining Loch, Selkirk, grid reference NGR NT469,271. Dr Muir has presumably continued his journey along Hillside Terrace and the main road, approaching Henhouse from the south east.

³ Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir.

⁴ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902.

⁵ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Left Ladyton at 8.15 + got the 8.37. Left Rennie¹ wonderfully well. Got the 10.5 at Queen Street + reached Edin. at 11.22. Booked my luggage + walked along to 6 Rutland Square for meeting of S.R.P. Sub Com^ttee.² Lunched at the Caley Grill³ + then went to meeting of Insurance-Sub-Com^ttee which finished at 3.50. Looked in at the Picture House + the new P.H. at the latter saw a very good film “Count of Monte Christo” (Dumas’ novel).⁴ Came out by the 6. + found all well. Baptie⁵ met me at Gala – It had rained here every day and I had not encountered any at all.

¹ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924) of Ladyton, Prestwick, clergyman, described on his death registration as Minister of the Gospel Retired, Dr Muir’s brother in law and widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir.

² The Editor cannot find a reference to an Edinburgh meeting at this particular time in the British Medical Journal and in addition the B.M.J.’s listing of future meetings from 24 February 1923 does not appear to include one either, which may explain Dr Muir’s confusion [see “Diary Of Societies And Lectures.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 3243, 1923, pp. 64–64. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20422691. Accessed 6 Mar. 2023.]

³ Assume the Caledonian Station Hotel, Edinburgh.

⁴ Dr Muir has previously claimed (diary for 6th March 1923) to have seen the 1922 film adaptation of Alexander Dumas’ 1844 novel which was directed by Emmett J Flynn for Fox Film Corporation and starred inter alios John Gilbert, Estelle Taylor, Albert Prisco, Ralph Cloninger and Renée Adorée. It is readily available online.

⁵ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

Dull + sunless but dry + not much N.E. wind. Rennie¹ alright after quite a good night. Was much amused to find my letter to the Herald in today’s issue.¹ I mentioned that as a boy in Leith – 1845-52 a left-handed boy was referred to as caury-pawed.² Took a car³ to Burns Monument + walked 3 miles towards Maybole + then turned off to Sauchrie + over the shoulder of Brown Carrick to the Girvan Road + back to Ayr + got a car home = 13.⁴ Eddie Miller⁵ looked in again at night. From breakfast till 7 p.m. I just had a hunk of Selkirk Bannock.⁶

¹ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924) of Ladyton, Prestwick, clergyman, described on his death registration as Minister of the Gospel Retired, Dr Muir’s brother in law and widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir.

² Dr Muir had written a letter to the Herald, see diary entry for 7 March 1923. There are numerous versions of caury-pawed recorded in the ‘Dictionar o the Scots Leid’ including “Rxb. 1923 Kelso Chron. (16 March) 2/7: A writer in a city paper says he never heard the word “caurie.” … Apparently he has never been in Kelso.” and quoting e.Lth. 1914 (per Hdg.2): “He’s a carrie-pawed chiel.” [source: CAR, CAUR, KER, Cair, Caar, Carr, Cawr, adj. and n.2 Also forms with initial k and dims. in -ie and -y].

³ The Ayr tram ran north to south from the junction by the Burgh Hall, Prestwick, grid reference NGR NS352,262 to the Burns Hotel, Alloway (tracks at the south end of the route are visible on some postcards of that location including the one below).

⁴ Dr Muir walked south, probably on what is now the B7024, towards Maybole, grid reference NGR NS298,100 turning off to Sauchrie NS303,146 and presumably across the north shoulder of Brown Carrick past the viewpoint at NS299,164 to join the Girvan road (the coast road) at NS287,177 to pick up the tram car at Alloway where he had alighted earlier.

⁵ Edward Caird ‘Eddie’ Miller (1864-1927), iron and steel founder, of Redstone, Prestwick [Monkton, Ayr], widowed since the death in 1920 of his wife Jessie Logan Miller née Rennie (1860-1920), Dr Muir’s niece.

⁶ It is not clear whether Dr Muir had brought the Bannock with him from home but it is no wonder he had digestive problems.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

A delightful day: calm + bright. Rennie’s 97^th birthday.¹ He got many [?] letters + telegrams of congratulation. I gave him some cigars + got a bottle of port at Cameron’s² to drink his health. Met Lizzie³ + Nancy⁴ at 12.15 + then had a stroll to Bruce’s Well + Chapel⁵ and the seashore. We had dinner at 2 + a long chat after. Saw L. + N. away at 4.50 + bought a Scotsman + sat reading it on the Esplanade till sunset. I asked Margt⁶ to get some salmon for supper which we had for supper. Eddie Miller⁷ + Mrs Ogg⁸ came in. Rennie was in great form. Wrote a P.C. [post card] to Glasgow Herald re cary-pawed.⁹

¹ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924) of Ladyton, Prestwick, clergyman, described on his death registration as Minister of the Gospel Retired, Dr Muir’s brother in law and widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir.

² Cameron’s may refer to Andrew Cameron, grocer and wine merchant, 149-151 High Street, Ayr.

³ Elizabeth Orr ‘Lizzie’ Guthrie Smith née Rennie (1858–1926), daughter of the Reverend James Rennie and Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir, thus Dr Muir’s niece.

⁴ Perhaps Nance Tennant Guthrie Smith, later Clark (1902-1993), born 24 January 1902 at 5 Kirklee Gardens, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, the daughter of John Guthrie Smith (1868-1923), W.S. and Elizabeth Orr ‘Lizzie’ Guthrie Smith née Rennie, married 1883, Glasgow. Nance married 1933 in New Zealand, John Vandy ‘Jack’ Clark, she died 1993 in New Zealand.

⁵ Prestwick, Kingcase Well (Medieval), alternative name Bruce’s Well, Canmore ID 205063, grid reference NGR NS34671,24799 and Kingcase, St Ninian’s Hospital, Chapel (Medieval), Hospital (Medieval), Canmore ID 41787, grid reference NGR NS34650,24787.

⁶ Margaret, if that is the correct reading, is unidentified. The 1921 Census records Rennie’s household as himself, Elizabeth Park, aged 15, servant and Mary Hay, visitor.

⁷ Edward Caird ‘Eddie’ Miller (1864-1927), iron and steel founder, of Redstone, Prestwick [Monkton, Ayr], widowed since the death in 1920 of his wife Jessie Logan Miller née Rennie (1860-1920), Dr Muir’s niece.

⁸ Mrs Ogg is unidentified.

⁹ Left-handed, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 8 March 1923.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Rose at 5 + finding the barometer falling decided to go to Prestwick by train. Left Motored to Gala + got the 10.50 : booked my luggage at Waverley + took a taxi to 6 Rutland Square for a meeting of the S.R.P. + Com^ttee1 + found to my disgust that it wasn’t till Friday! Went to the Picture House + saw a very good thing “Monte Cristo”.² Got the 2 to Glasgow + had lunch on the train. Had an hour to wait at St Enoch³ + got to Prestwick at 5.10. Walked along to Ladyton carrying 2 bags : umbrella + [illegible]. Found the old man⁴ looking awfully well. Sent a P.C. [post card] to Nancy.⁵ Eddie Miller⁶ looked in at night. From the appearance of the country there has been a tremendous lot of rain.

¹ The Editor cannot find a reference to an Edinburgh meeting at this particular time in the British Medical Journal and in addition the B.M.J.’s listing of future meetings from 24 February 1923 does not appear to include one either, which may explain Dr Muir’s confusion [see “Diary Of Societies And Lectures.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 3243, 1923, pp. 64–64. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20422691. Accessed 6 Mar. 2023.]

² This 1922 film adaptation of Alexander Dumas’ 1844 novel was directed by Emmett J Flynn for Fox Film Corporation and starred inter alios John Gilbert, Estelle Taylor, Albert Prisco, Ralph Cloninger and Renée Adorée. It is readily available online.

³ St Enoch Station, east of St Enoch Square, only two streets away from Central Station and until January 1923 servicing the Glasgow and South Western Railway (G&SWR) with trains to Ayr, Dumfries, Carlisle, Kilmarnock and Stranraer. Under the Railways Act of 1921 it was taken over (‘grouped’) in January 1923 and thereafter operated by the London Midland and Scottish Railway. The station is visible on Ordnance Survey 25 inch Lanarkshire Sheet VI.11, 1933 revision, with St Enoch Square’s relationship to Central Station made clear on Ordnance Survey 25 inch Lanarkshire Sheet VI.10, 1934 revision.

⁴ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), described on his death registration as “Minister of the Gospel (Retired)” and Dr Muir’s brother in law, the husband later widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir. Living at Ladyton, Prestwick, Ayrshire.

⁵ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior.

⁶ Edward Caird ‘Eddie’ Miller (1864-1927), iron and steel founder, of Redstone, Prestwick [Monkton, Ayr], widowed since the death in 1920 of his wife Jessie Logan Miller née Rennie (1860-1920), Dr Muir’s niece.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

S.W. showery, fresh : fair + starry at night. Made 23 calls including Shawpark¹ + Henhouse² all walking. Paid Currie for my new combies³ : G. T. Scott, Grierson + Taylor + plate glass Insur⁴. Put plaster of Paris bandage on Geo. Smith’s little girl.⁵ Got everything ready for Prestwick tomorrow.⁶

¹ Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir.

² Henhouse is beyond the south end of Haining Loch, Selkirk, grid reference NGR NT469,271.

³ Robert Currie had a set of combinations made for Dr Muir at Hawick, see diary entry for 28 February 1923.

⁴ The other references are as yet unidentified.

⁵ George Smith’s daughter is so far unidentified.

⁶ Dr Muir was intending to travel to Ladyton, Prestwick, Ayrshire for the birthday celebrations of his brother-in-law the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924).

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

No rain today + a little sunshine: calm E. [wind] Motored to Sundhope¹, Dryhope Lodge² + Henderland.³ Dorothy Barrie + Jas. Mitchell improving. Came home in 52 minutes. Found message to Shawpark⁴, Walt Wilson⁵ (who left the Home on Thursday), Girdwood, Castle Street, West Essenside + Robin Bogle.¹ Motored first to Shawpark¹ +c Castle Street + Essenside¹ where the younger boy has chilblains. Stopped at Elmpark¹ + saw Boylan a second time.

¹ Sundhope, Yarrow, grid reference NGR NT335,252.

² Dryhope area, Megget, area of grid reference NT267,245.

³ Henderland, Megget, north of St Mary’s Loch, grid reference NGR NT232,233, where he had been attending the Mitchell family since late 1921. In the 1921 Census the family comprised James Mitchell senior aged 67, James Mitchell junior, 35, Mary Richardson Mitchell, 33, Eliza Dalgleish Mitchell, 25, and Isabella Shiel Mitchell, 26.

⁴ Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir.

⁵ Walter Wilson does not appear to have been referred to previously in the context of Viewfield but may be either Walter A Wilson, aged 10, of Back Row, Selkirk or Walter Wilson, aged 33, of Back Feus, Selkirk.

⁶ Joan Girdwood née Johnstone, attended presumably for the birth of her second son Robert Johnston Girdwood (the first was John Hislop Girdwood in 1918); she had married Adam Girdwood, then Gunner 10272 Royal Naval Reserve in 1916. In 1921 he was a G.P.O. postman and with his extended family was living at 17 Castle Street. The household comprised Adam Girdwood (1884-), born Earlston; Joan Girdwood née Johnstone (1895-); John Hislop Girdwood (1918-); Robert Johnstone Girdwood (1920-); Adam Girdwood (1920-); Jessie Johnstone (1234-), sister-in-law; Mary Gordon Lang (1912-) and Alexander Robert Lang (1915-), niece and nephew. All born Selkirk except Adam Girdwood as noted above and Alexander Lang who was born Kirkhope [1921 Census Return 778/ 4/ 1) page 1 of 17].

⁷ Dr Muir had been attending the Heard family at West Essenside, Ashkirk, grid reference NGR NT442,201.

⁸ Shawpark, Shawpark Road, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir [1921 Census and 1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/375, Selkirk County].

⁹ Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]