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 Comttee.2 Lunched at the Caley Grill3 + then went to meeting of Insurance-Sub-Comttee 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.
The Burns Monument and Hotel, Ayr, with tramlines visible in foreground
[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 97th 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. + Comttee1 + 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]
Not a glint of sun today + from 1.30 there was a lot of rain. No wind S.S.W. Letter from Dora at Liverpool + a P.C. [postcard] They had a wait of 2½ hours at Carlisle owing to a breakdown at Lockerbie.1 I made 11 calls walking, including Shawpark2, and motored to Sprot Homes3, Bewlie Mains4, Lilliesleaf + Woll Rigg.5 At Lilliesleaf saw Mrs Jackson6 (once with Nancy7) + Mrs Steel (a Chisholm8). Helen9 went to the Opera at Gala.10 with the Kennedys.11 Mrs Mack12 sent up a cut of Salmon. Gave Mrs Moran [illegible].13
1 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, was travelling to Liverpool en route to Port Said with Isabella Donald (1876-1956), nurse, sometime of Ashwood, Galashiels [for details see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 1 March 2023].
2 Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir.
3 The Sprot Homes, Lilliesleaf, were six almshouses provided by the Miss Frances Sprot Trust endowed in 1881 by Miss Frances Sprot and known as the Miss Frances Sprot Homes.
4 It is also not immediately clear who Dr Muir was visiting at Bewlie Mains, sometimes Bewliemains, Lilliesleaf.
5 Woll Rigg, Ashkirk, where Dr Muir may perhaps have been visiting William Dewar who had his hand lacerated when sawing a branch off a tree on 28 November 1922.
6 Mrs Jackson may refer to Annie J Jackson née Glendinning (1885-), living at Riddell Cottage, Lilliesleaf with her family and occupation recorded as Home Duties. She had married Adam Jackson, shepherd, 26 April 1912 at Hawick [1921 Census].
7 The Editor cannot find any evidence that Annie Jackson worked for Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior. However, as Annie Glendinning, she is recorded as a cook at Colislinn House, Cavers in the 1911 Census so it is perfectly possible that she was in service with Nancy at some time.
8 Elizabeth Steele née Chisholm (1879-), born Selkirk, living at The Green, Lilliesleaf in 1921 with her husband Thomas Steele, farm worker. They had married 20 June 1912 at Shawburn, Bowden [1921 Census; marriage: Chisholm, Elizabeth and Steele, Thomas, 1912, 783/3, Bowden].
9 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
10 Galashiels Amateur Operatic Society put on six performances of the musical comedy ‘Merrie England’ by Edward German (1862-1936) and Basil Hood (1864-1917) at the Playhouse, Galashiels from 26 February to 3 March 1923 [Southern Reporter].
11 The Kennedy family comprised William Nicol Watson Kennedy (1888-1961), O.B.E., M.D. Edinburgh, M.R.C.P.Ed., D.P.E., medical officer of health and school medical officer for Selkirkshire, circa 1921, his wife Mary Balfour Alison and their sons Ian Alexander Kennedy (1916-1988) and Charles Gordon Kennedy (1920-). [Caveat Emptor: There is a problem with this identification because some evidence suggests that Kennedy had already moved to Croydon.]
12 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.
13 There is a good chance that this refers to Sally Moran née Muldoon (about 1830-1925), widow of Patrick Moran, general labourer and daughter of Hugh Muldoon, flax weaver, and Bridget Muldoon née McGill. Sally was born in County Mayo and in 1921 was living alone at 35 Kirkwynd, Selkirk.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
A most welcome blaze of sunlight this morning + all forenoon it was very pleasant but it gradually got duller + then rained again. Met Dav.1 at Isaac Piercy’s2 where he curetted Mrs P.3 Then I was at Viewfield4 from 11 till 3.20. Dav. operated on Mrs Fowler5 for appendicitis + then a short circuit for a (probably) malignant condition.6 Then he did an appendicitis on Mrs Lumgair’s cook aet 60.7 Cycled to Shawpark + gave Boylan an enema.8 Helen9 was at Melrose seeing Kennedys10 + Chrystals.11 Mrs Mack12 capped all previous gifts by giving me lib. triginti!13
1 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
2 Isaac Piercy (1888-1973), woollen yarn storeman, living at 8 Raeburn Place, Selkirk (though there were two other individuals named Isaac Piercy in the 1921 Census – Isaac Alexander Piercy junior (1920-1979), son of Isaac Piercy above and Isaac Douglas Piercy (1908-1979).
3 Margaret Piercy née Brown (1889-1973), wife of Isaac Piercy (1888-1973), woollen yarn storeman [marriage: Piercy, Isaac and Brown, Margaret, 1910, 778 / 25, Selkirk].
4 Viewfield Nursing Home, the Muir & Graham medical co-partnership’s property.
5 Mrs Fowler is probably Janet Fowler née Latto (1868-1924), wife of William Fowler (about 1863-1933), Inspector of Poor and Registrar, Selkirk.
6 Janet Fowler was later diagnosed with tuberculosis of the caecum so presumably the “short circuit” was an colon resection of some sort.
7 Conceivably Mary Morton (1869-1930), Kirkcudbrightshire-born “cook” at The Priory, Ettrick Road, Selkirk in the 1921 Census (though in that case Dr Muir has misjudged her age).
8 John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer and acquaintance of Dr Muir, of Shawpark, Selkirk.
9 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
10 The Kennedy family comprised William Nicol Watson Kennedy (1888-1961), O.B.E., M.D. Edinburgh, M.R.C.P.Ed., D.P.E., medical officer of health and school medical officer for Selkirkshire, circa 1921, his wife Mary Balfour Alison and their sons Ian Alexander Kennedy (1916-1988) and Charles Gordon Kennedy (1920-). [Caveat Emptor: There is a problem with this identification because some evidence suggests that Kennedy had already moved to Croydon.]
11 The Reverend James Robert Chrystal (about 1840-1930), Congregational Church minister, and his daughter Alice Margaret Wilkie Chrystal (1872-1948) [1921 Census]. His wife Margaret Sophia Chrystal née Riddell had died in 1913.
12 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.
13 The Editor does not have the Classical knowledge to interpret this text but the consensus is that this is not a reference to 30 pounds or 30 books! Information would be gratefully received.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Actually dry this morning! But it began to rain a little in afternoon. Darling Dora1 left today. I went with Jack, Nancy2 + Mack3 (Jack motoring us) to a performance of “Merrie England” at Gala4 + saw Dora off by the last train with Miss Donald5. Helen6 came with her by the Selkirk train. I said my real good-bye to her here. We may possibly not meet again but God knows. I cycled (first time since Feb. 9th) to Curror Street + Shawpark + twice to bank. Gave Do. £5 as a parting gift. Attended meeting of Red X Society.7 Couldn’t hear the woman speak.
1 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, travelled to Port Said (بورسعيد , Egypt) with Isabella Donald [see footnote 5] on S.S. Oxfordshire, official number 131454, Liverpool – Marseilles – Port Said – Colombo – Rangoon, departing Liverpool 2 March 1923 [source: UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, Liverpool, 2 March 1923].
2 John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.
3 Assume Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, though Dr Muir has never previously described her thus.
4 Galashiels Amateur Operatic Society put on six performances of the musical comedy ‘Merrie England’ by Edward German (1862-1936) and Basil Hood (1864-1917) at the Playhouse, Galashiels from 26 February to 3 March 1923 [Southern Reporter].
5 Isabella Donald (1876-), nurse, sometime of Ashwood, Galashiels home of her sister Margaret Meikle ‘Peggy’ Brown née Donald (1885-1960) who had married James Douglas Brown of Ashwood in 1918. Isabella was travelling to Port Said (بورسعيد , Egypt) with Dora Muir [see footnote 1] on S.S. Oxfordshire, official number 131454, Liverpool – Marseilles – Port Said – Colombo – Rangoon, departing Liverpool 2 March 1923 [UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, Liverpool, 2 March 1923].
6 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
7 Red Cross Society.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 