Worse than ever : a Sou’ Wester with torrents of rain from morning till night. Stayed in the house all day till the gloaming when I went along the street + bought a Scotsman + Bulletine¹ Letter from Jean² whose shop is for sale + she has just been at the expense of painting it.³ Dr Woodside⁴ a Glasgow minister called. Had an attack of dyspepsia probably from taking too much liquid the last 2 days.⁵

¹ The Bulletine is not recognised.

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter; married, 15 June 1920, Mayfield U.F. Church, Newington, Edinburgh, Frederick Charles Pike (d.1921), theatrical agent.

³ Jean Muir had been operating a tea shop at 45 Newington Road, Edinburgh, since 1920, the time of her marriage, see Dr Muir’s diary for 4 May 1920, but she continued to be the Proprietor until at least 1940 [see Valuation Rolls].

⁴ This is presumably the Reverend David Woodside (1859-1924), D.D., St Quivox-born Church of Scotland Minister, of Woodlands Church, Glasgow. He was recorded in ministry at Glasgow in the 1901 and 1911 Census returns but recorded at Kilmaurs, Ayrshire in the 1921 Census, aged 62 (no doubt on holiday, like everyone else in that Census). Married to Elizabeth Mitchell Calderwood, they had a number of children including David Cunninghame Woodside (1890-1916), architecture student at Glasgow School of Art, born Govan, Glasgow, died of wounds received at Cape Helles during the Gallipoli campaign [sources: Statutory BMDs and Census; https://gsaarchives.net/catalogue/index.php/woodside-david-c%5D.

⁵ More evidence, if any was needed, of Dr Muir’s failure to maintain a good routine.

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

A dull sunless day. Not so cold + only slight drizzle at times. Went along to call for Lizzie¹, who with Nancy² is living at Redstone³ + has just had 4 weeks in Jones’ Nursing Home.⁴ She had gone out however I found her at Ladyton.⁵ She looks very thin + worn + is going up to visit Jean⁶ in London. In the afternoon I cycled to Ayr + up the Cumnock road to where a branch road leads to Stair. The river there from the Old Bridge was lovely. I had a long crack with a miner. Came back by Tarbolton + into Prestwick by the road from St Quivox.⁷ In the evening read Guthrie’s verses about “Johnnie Walker”,⁸ Caird’s on Emeralds⁹ + some stories from Agnes Logan’s book¹⁰ to Rennie. Mileage 19.3

¹ Elizabeth Orr ‘Lizzie’ Guthrie Smith née Rennie (1858–1926), daughter of The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir, thus Dr Muir’s niece.

² Nance Tennant Guthrie Smith, later Clark (1902-1993), born 24 Jan 1902 at 5 Kirklee Gardens, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland; daughter of John Guthrie Smith (1868-1923), W.S. and Elizabeth Orr ‘Lizzie’ Guthrie Smith née Rennie. Nance married 1933 in, New Zealand, John Vandy ‘Jack’ Clark, she died 1993 in New Zealand. [1902, 646/3 202, Partick].

³ Redstone, Prestwick [Monkton, Ayr], home of Edward Caird ‘Eddie’ Miller (1864-1927), iron and steel founder, widow of Jessie Logan Miller née Rennie (1860-1920), Dr Muir’s niece. Edward Miller was still living there in 1925.

⁴ Jones’s Nursing Home is so far unidentified.

⁵ Ladyton, Prestwick, Ayrshire, home of The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Dr Muir’s brother in law, the widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir.

⁶ Jean Frances Guthrie Smith, later Neal (1895-1949), daughter of John Guthrie Smith (1868-1923), W.S. and Elizabeth Orr ‘Lizzie’ Guthrie Smith née Rennie, married 1883, Glasgow; died 22 Jul 1949, Kensington, London; Jean married 1918, Barnet, Middlesex, Lawrence Edward Neal (1895-1996), later Managing Director of Daniel Neal & Sons of Portman Square, London a child-focussed department store. A poet, at one time published in in The Nation, Athenaeum and Voices alongside authors such as D H Lawrence, John Middleton Murry, Henri Gaudier Brzeska and Isaac Rosenberg. She published Adventure Square, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1922. [sources include https://fitzrovianews.com/2010/07/29/jean-guthrie-smith-a-poet-who-conveys-a-deep-love-for-fitzrovia/].
Lawrence and Jean’s son Lieutenant Kenneth Guthrie Neal (1919-1944), Service Number: 200572, Royal Artillery, 68 Anti-Tank Regiment died 9 August 1944, aged 24 and is buried at Bayeux War Cemetery, Calvados, France, grave reference XXII. D. 11.

⁷ Dr Muir appears to have cycled up what is now the A70, turning left (north) at grid reference NGR NS447,199, to Stair, NS439,234, Tarbolton, NS429,270, and home on the road from St Quivox, NS374239.

⁸ The Editor has not yet found the poem but assumes that the book is ‘Adventure Square’, 1922, London, Hodder and Stoughton, by Jean Frances Guthrie Smith, later Neal (1895-1949), see footnote 6.

⁹ This item is so far unidentified.

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

Mileage 3.15
Torrents of rain during the night and heavy showers all day. There was no hope of cycling. I went out before breakfast + posted my small bag to Prestwick.¹ Took the 11.27 to Cumnock² intending if it faired to cycle from there. Nith³ was in top flood + lots of fields had water on them. On reaching Cumnock at 1, I found that the 1.15 to Ayr did not start from the mainline station but on the Muirkirk⁴ line so I had to rush down a steep hill to Cumnock + toil up a steep one + just got to the station as the train came. A friendly female official kindly offered to get my tickets for me + was rewarded with the 4^d being the change out of 3/6. It was nearly fair as I cycled from Ayr to Prestwick + I arrived at Ladyton at 2.20 in time for dinner which I enjoyed. Found Rennie⁵ well but in some ways failed from March. Wrote Helen⁶, Kate Mcdonald⁷ + Eliz. Leithead⁸ (a daughter of William Leithead formerly at Tinnis) who had asked me for a cert. of fitness for emigration to Honolulu.

¹ Prestwick, Ayrshire, Dr Muir’s destination.

² Cumnock, East Ayrshire.

³ Dr Muir would have travelled alongside the River Nith as the line ran down through Sanquhar and Kirkconnel on its way to Cumnock.

⁴ Dr Muir was evidently expecting his train to come down the Glasgow and South Western Railway, but instead it was, according to Dr Muir, running on that same company’s Muirkirk Branch (north of Cumnock). If so he did indeed face a stiff cycle – on a route that is not at all obvious – to get from Old Cumnock to the stop at Commondyke, almost certainly impossible in 15 minutes. In fact it looks much more likely that he picked up the train at the stop on the Glasgow and South Western Railway Cumnock Branch (south of the town and not the Muirkirk line) which would have required a run into Cumnock and out again by an obvious route, and one that he could have done in 15 minutes relatively easily.

This is all laid out very nicely on Ordnance Survey six inch Ayrshire sheet XXXV.NE and Ordnance Survey six inch Ayrshire sheet XXXV.SE, both published 1911.

A random connection is that William Renny Watson of the Watson family, textile manufacturers at Hawick, was Chairman of the Glasgow and South Western Railway at the time of his death in 1909.

⁵ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Dr Muir’s brother in law, the widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir. Dr Muir had last visited in March 1923.

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

⁷ Catherine Isabella ‘Kate’ Macdonald [or McDonald] née Paton (about 1862-1932), lived at 1 Newall Terrace, Dumfries. She was the widow of James Cumming Raff Macdonald [or McDonald] (1859-1921), writer. Dr Muir had stayed with the couple when he cycled to Dumfries on 18 September 1918..

⁸ Elizabeth Leithead (1880-), born 1 July 1880 at Tinnis, Yarrow, departed San Francisco, California on 14 Nov 1923 en route for Honolulu, Hawaii, where she arrived 20 November 1923. Elizabeth was a brave woman as the manifest records that she travelled alone on the S.S. Maui. A twin, she may well have been one of the 3,366 babies that Dr Muir brought into this world. She was the daughter of William Leithead, ploughman, and Ellen Scott, married 1868 at Roberton, Roxburghshire.

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

Rose 5.15 + left at 7.33. Fine clear morning followed by the finest day we have had for weeks + no rain. Went up Ettrick. Walked Ettrick Road [illegible] of Oakwoodmill : called for Mr Mitchell ‘Bridgend. Walked Manse Brae + Singlie + Tushielaw but after that never dismounted till head of [illegible] + there I bumped my knee + skinned it getting off. Fine run down to Cassock + all the way to Borland. Took my lunch a mile out of Borland + went down Corrie Water to Lockerbie. Got to Dumfries at 4.20. Kate M has an ex Indian Chaplain + his wife living with her. Had very pleasant evening. Mileage 58.0.

¹ Dr Muir had occasionally been attending Thomas Mitchell (1867-1937), master joiner, at Ettrickbridgend, Kirkhope.

² Manse Brae is not known to the Editor, feedback welcomed.

³ Singlie, grid reference NGR NT369,215, Tushielaw, NT305,183, Cassock, NT237,036, Borland, NY169,910, Corrie Water, linear feature through NY185,854, Lockerbie, NY135,821 and Dumfries, NX971,761.

⁴ Catherine Isabella ‘Kate’ Macdonald [or McDonald] née Paton (about 1862-1932), lived at 1 Newall Terrace, Dumfries. She was the widow of James Cumming Raff Macdonald [or McDonald] (1859-1921), writer. Dr Muir had stayed with the couple when he cycled to Dumfries on 18 September 1918.

⁵ This couple is unidentified.

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

Fair in forenoon but very wet at 2. Calm S.W. + N.E. [wind]. Was called up at 7 to see Nelly Johnstone, Clifton Road¹ (And. Wright’s sister-in-law²). Then there was a ‘Phone to see Mr Mitchell, Ettrickbridgend.³ Saw Jim Adams⁴ (better) + motored to see Jane Bartie⁵ as I was afraid that the V.A.D.s or some of them thought i was paying for yesterday’s run. However she reassured me on that point. Went on to Ettrickbridgend + then out to Whitmuir where I called for Walt. Dunlop + saw his wife⁶ + Marion.⁷ Called for Nelly Johnstone + made all preparations for an early start tomorrow morning.

¹ Helen ‘Nelly’ Johnstone (1879-), daughter of James Johnstone, tailor, and Jane Johnstone née Roberts, a tailor’s cutter, tenant occupier of a house at 6a Clifton Road, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll.

² Andrew Wright (1871-1955) had married, 31 December 1897, at Selkirk Manse, Isabella Johnstone. Andrew was the son of George Wright, water bailiff, and Catherine Wright née Henie; a journeyman tailor (at marriage) and a tailor’s cutter, of 6a Clifton Road, Selkirk (1920 VR).

³ Assume Thomas Mitchell (1867-1937), master joiner, who was proprietor of the ‘tenants improvements gas engine’, ‘tenants erections’ and a hayshed at Ettrickbridgend, Kirkhope [1923 Valuation Rolls].

⁴ Jim Adams is so far unidentified.

⁵ Jane Hay Bartie (1876-), school teacher and sometime member of the Selkirkshire V.A.D. Born Edinburgh and recorded living with her sister Margaret Bartie at Ettrickhaugh House, Selkirk, in the 1921 Census.

⁶ Walter Dunlop (1871-1941), East India Merchant, son of Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922) and Edith Dunlop née Sugden (1846-1926). Walter had married Clementina Alderman in 1905.

⁷ Marion is so far unidentified.

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

Pavements wet but turned out a fairly good day with showers here + there. Walked to Hill Street + Hospital. Left at 9 in Amos’ small char-a-banc¹ with the V.A.D.² There were 14 of the detachment. Polly Adams³, Nurse Mackintosh⁴ from Viewfield + Miss Dickson⁵ (from Hospital), the 2 latter being my guests. The driver made 18 which just filled the car. We went via Gattonside, Bemersyde Hill, Smailholm + Mellowlees to Hume Castle + then down to Kelso via Stitchill + Newton Don + had tea there returning by Maxton. It was a very nice outing + they all seemed to enjoy it. Got back at 6.20 + then had to go to Whitmuir to see Adam Neil’s baby.⁶ Jim Adam⁷ called at night with suspicion of appendicitis.

¹ Andrew Amos was a motorbus proprietor in Selkirk.

² The Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) had agreed to continue at Selkirk and the members had agreed an outing.

³ Perhaps Mary Oswell F Adams, later Geddes (1890-) of Galashiels who would be of about the right age for a First World War V.A.D.

⁴ Nurse Mackintosh is so far unidentified.

⁵ Miss Dickson is so far unidentified.

⁶ Agnes Grey Neil, later Caie (1921-1987), daughter of Adam Grey Neil, forester and joiner, and Christina Neil née Scott, married 4 April 1919 at Oxnam. The family lived at Whitmuir, Selkirk.

⁷ Assume James Thomas Adams (1901-), son of Mrs Janet Adams née Avery. Thomas was a bank clerk and his employer at the time of the 1921 Census was the Commercial Bank of Scotland, Aberfeldy although he was recorded at Selkirk with his family.

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

No rain except in the early morning + at night. N.W. [wind]. Made eleven town calls walking + then for something to do, cycled to Tinnis Cottages (Robert Brockie¹) + Yarrowfeus (Lizzie Murray²). Invited Nurse McIntosh³ + Miss Dickson⁴ to the V.A.D. excursion tomorrow. Wrote Kate Macdonald + Rennie The L.M.C.⁵ called on the way from Edinburgh + deposited a Pork pie + cream cheese, pot of cream + later called again with the news of her housemaid’s mother’s death⁶ + a large bunch of grapes.

¹ Robert Brockie (1865-1930), ploughman, lived with his brother Thomas Brockie (1860-1929), woodman, at Tinnis Cottage, Yarrow, both born Fastheugh, Selkirk, the sons of John Brockie, shepherd, and Mary Brockie née Boa, married 1860 at Stow.

² Elizabeth Murray, aged 50, a retired darner with Waddel & Turnbull, tweed manufacturer, was a boarder with Mary Turnbull at Yarrow Feus, 1921 Census.

³ Nurse McIntosh is so far unidentified. Nobody of that surname and occupation was recorded at Selkirk in the 1921 Census.

⁴ Miss Dickson is so far unidentified.

⁵ L.M.C. must be a variant of M.C. or ‘Magic Cave’ as Dr Muir had previously named Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.

⁶ Mrs Mackintosh’s housemaid is so far unidentified.

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

Wet morning but kept fair after. Wind N.W. – N. + finally N.E. slight. David¹ was away shooting at Hume Hall² + I had next to nothing to do save 8 town cases (including Hospital) walking + spent the afternoon packing my bags for my trip to Dumfries + Rennie!³ The L.M.C.⁴ called with 2 Findon haddocks⁵ + said she was going to bring me grapes. Had a call from Walt. Dunlop⁶ who is living at Whitmuir.⁷

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

² Humehall, grid reference NGR NT711,412.

³ Dr Muir was planning to see the widow of an old friend at Dumfries en route to Ladyton, Prestwick, Ayrshire to visit the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Dr Muir’s brother in law, the husband later widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir.

⁴ L.M.C. must be a variant of M.C. or ‘Magic Cave’ as Dr Muir had previously named Elm Park, Selkirk, the home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).

⁵ Findon or Finnan haddie is a cold-smoked haddock.

⁶ Walter Dunlop (1871-1941), East India Merchant, son of Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922) and Edith Dunlop née Sugden (1846-1926). Walter had married Clementina Alderman in 1905..

⁷ Other members of the Dunlop family had moved away from Whitmuirhall after the death of Charles Walter Dunlop the year before, but Walter was to stay there at least into the 1930s.

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

A deceptive sort of day. Was knocked up at 5 a.m. to see Mary Thomson, Hill Street.¹ It was a perfect morning, calm + clear but with the marks of big rain drops. It kept fair most of the day with a very slight drizzle at 3.40. I went for a run to Rink + Yair Bridge² + coming back got wet. Had to change. Dined at Elmpark.³ The Charles’s there.⁴ Dav.⁵ called to say he was shooting at Hume + Oxmuir.⁶

¹ Assume Mary Lockie Thomson (1891-), daughter of William Nichol Thomson, blacksmith, and Margaret Thomson nee Broadfoot, recorded in 1921 as a powerloom weaver for George Roberts & Co. Ltd., tweed manufacturers.

² The Rink, grid reference NGR NT482,323, and Yair Bridge, NT458,325, both Caddonfoot parish.

³ Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).

⁴ Mr and Mrs Charles are so far unidentified.

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

⁶ The second word works quite well as “tower” (from some angles Hume Castle looks very much like a tower) or as “+ oxmuir” (Oxmuir is about a mile E.N.E. of Hume Castle).

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

Very pleasant change: a clear sunny day with sharp N.W. wind : a delightful contrast to yesterday. River very full. Saw a fish jump at the Cauld.¹ Cycled to Hospital, Ettrick Mill, Buccleuch Road, Philiphaugh Cottages + Heatherlie + then to Riddell West Lodge² + Lilliesleaf. Robert Mein³ has bought the house + policies at Ettrick Shaws.⁴ Returned Agnes Logan’s Life of Aunt Marion⁵ after making some extracts.

¹ Presumably the Cauld and Salmon Leap on the Ettrick Water with Philiphaugh Home Farm to the north and Howden to the south and visible on Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XI.SE, published 1900.

² On 22 June 1923 Dr Muir attended a patient name Campbell at Riddell West Lodge. Campbell remains unidentified but the West Lodge, grid reference NGR NT514,243, is visible on Ordnance Survey Six Inch Roxburghshire Sheet XIII.SE, published 1899.

³ Robert Mein is unidentified, but see also Footnote 3.

⁴ This appears to be incorrect. The Trustees to the late Thomas Scott Anderson continued to be the Proprietors at Ettrick Shaws, Kirkhope, as late as 1935.

⁵ The Editor cannot identify the book but assumes that it is privately printed or a manuscript. Dr Muir mentioned that he was reading it in his diary of 2 July 1923. The author must be Agnes McIver Logan (about 1848-1928), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousin. Her subject is presumably Marion Stewart McClure née Logan (1822-1916), the younger sister of Dr Muir’s mother.

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