A most delightful day of constant sunshine + almost no wind. I wish there had been something of the kind at Prestwick.¹ Dav.² came in + we talked over things. I saw a few cases. Went to Elmpark³ at 2 for a rally of Girl Guides + Brownies who were inspected by Mrs Steel⁴ + had several competitions including a 1^st Aid in which 4 teams took part + I judged them.

¹ Dr Muir had struggled with the wind while cycling in Ayrshire while staying at Prestwick in the days immediately prior to this one.

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

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

⁴ Assume The Hon. Vere Mabel Strang Steel née Cornwallis (1889-1964), daughter of Fiennes Stanley Wykeham Cornwallis, 1st Baron Cornwallis and Mabel Leigh (1866-1957); she had married Samuel Strang Steel on 3 August 1910.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Fortunately it was fair this morning + after saying good bye to Rennie¹ I started at 9.40 to cycle homewards. Met Baptie² a little before Sorn + sent him on for my luggage. He picked me up again between Douglas + Rigside³ + we got home alright at 6. We did the 30 miles from Castle Craig in 1½ hours.⁴ It was quite [a] pleasant day though at times the S.E. wind was against me. There were some glints of sunshine. Was glad to see dear Mousey⁵ again after more than 4 weeks. Had several people in at consultation.

¹ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister, of Ladyton, Prestwick and widower of Catherine Stewart ‘Kate’ Rennie née Muir (1829-1915), Dr Muir’s sister..

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

³ Sorn, Ayrshire grid reference NGR NS556,264, Douglas NS835,306, and Rigside NS878,353.

⁴ Assume Castle Craig near Blyth Bridge, Peeblesshire (though that looks like a long way round).

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Munro appointed Lord Justices Clerk¹ 14^{th [2]}

Poured from morning till night without intermission. I could do nothing but sit + read by the fire. Towards evening I walked along to the P.O. [Post Office] + wired for Baptie³ to start at 7 tomorrow + come over here. Eddie Miller⁴ was to have come along but it was too wet. Wind S.S.E. + stronger.

¹ Robert Munro (1868-1955) 1st Baron Alness, GBE, PC, QC, DL, Scottish lawyer, judge and Liberal politician, who served as Secretary for Scotland (1916-1922) and was in 1922 appointed Lord Justice Clerk, the second most senior judge in Scotland after the Lord President of the Court of Session.

² The London Gazette states 17 October 1922 [The London Gazette, 20 October 1922, Issue 32757, page 7369].

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

⁴ Edward Caird ‘Eddie’ Miller (1864-1927), iron and steel founder, of Redstone, Prestwick [Monkton, Ayr], widower of Jessie Logan Miller née Rennie (1860-1920) Dr Muir’s niece.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

A sunny morning with stronger S.E. wind. Breakfasted 8.30 + left before 10 cycling to Ayr (2.1).¹ Bought a Scotsman + went on to Alloway where I admired the scenery + walked over the old Bridge. Then to Maybole : views less distinct than yesterday. From Maybole I went to Crosshill (where I had never been before) + there swithered² whether to go to Straiton + over the road to Newton Stewart that Jim³ + I once motored but it would have taken too long so I turned by a road that took me back to the Crosshill – Girvan road that ran down to Girvan – a fine road with some fine places notably Dalquharran Castle (old + new⁴). Got lunch at Girvan + had splendid run back by Turnberry and Dunure, the wind actually driving me up some hills. Stopped at Air [sic] + bought 2lbs of Salmon + got home at 5. Wrote Helen⁵ + sent card to Mrs Smith (Mary Dobie) who [sic] husband’s death is announced at Inverdovat (Smith).⁶ Walked along + posted them.

¹ Dr Muir’s route was Ayr, grid reference NGR NS339,219, Alloway, NS334,185, Maybole NS298,100, Crosshill, NS325,065, Straiton, NS381,049 (from where the direct road to Newton Stewart – if he had taken it – was over the hills via Glentrool Forest, reaching 294 metres just east of the Rig of the Shalloch), Dalquharran Castle, NS270,022, Girvan, NX185,977, Turnberry, NS203,053, Dunure, NS254,159, and Ayr again by which time he was nearly back at his brother-in-law’s (it was a long way to get a piece of fish).

² SWITHER, v.¹, n.¹ Also swuther (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); and, now chiefly ne.Sc., swidder, swudder; swydder (Peb. 1832 R. D. C. Brown Pastorals 70). [′swɪðər, ne.Sc. + ′swɪdər]
v. 1. intr. To be in a state of uncertainty of purpose, to be perplexed about what to do or choose, be in two minds, to doubt, hesitate, dither (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 80; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai). Gen.Sc. Vbl.n. swithering [Dictionar o’ the Scots Leid].

³ Jim is conceivably Dr Muir’s brother James Logan ‘Jim’ Muir (1834–1914), East India Merchant, born North Leith, Midlothian, died 4 February 1914 at Prestwick, Scotland and Dr Muir attended his funeral, see Diary entries, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, 3-8 February 1914.

⁴ There are two castles, old and new, the former 15th Century and the latter 18th Century.

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁶ Mary Meldrum Dobie (1857-1936), born at Leslie, Fife but removed to Selkirk with her family by 1871; she had married Thomas Smith, farmer, of Inverdovat, Forgan, Fife in 1888 at Selkirk and he died there 9 October 1922 aged 77 [Smith, Thomas and Dobie, Mary M, 1888, 778/ 17, Selkirk]

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Another day like yesterday. No sunshine but clouds higher + visibility better. Saw Arran + Ailsa Craig.¹ Same light S.E. wind. Coughed terribly [?] after going to bed last night. Breakfasted at 9. Parcels arrived at 10 after 10.² Gave Rennie³ the pheasant + some Panatellas.⁴ He kept his bed till evening. Left after 11 + cycled⁵ to Ayr (2.1), Dunure, Culzean where I turned towards Maybole but avoided it + went on via Cassilis to Dalrymple where I had a delightful tea at the same Inn where [gap] years ago a lot of us went on a cycle run.⁶ From there by Martnaham Loch to Coylton, Auchincruive and St Quivox = 34 or 35 [miles]. Had fine hot Bath + supper with oyster. Eddie Miller looked along [sic] at night.⁷ Fine moonlight night. The scenery at Auchincruive Bridge was lovely + not a leaf was stirring.⁸ I had the most extraordinary meeting with And. Hope + his wife who were passing in a motor [illegible word]⁹.

¹ It is just possible that from Monkton Dr Muir could have seen Ailsa Craig which is in the outer Firth of Clyde and well to the south of Ayr.

² Dr Muir was sending items Post restante in preparation for his forthcoming trip to his brother-in-law at Prestwick, Ayrshire.

³ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister, of Ladyton, Prestwick and widower of Catherine Stewart ‘Kate’ Rennie née Muir (1829-1915), Dr Muir’s sister.

⁴ Rennie evidently liked his small cigars because Dr Muir had made a gift of Panatellas previously, on 5 March 1921.

⁵ Dr Muir cycled an anti-clockwise route heading south to Ayr and then travelling via Dunure, NS254,159, Culzean, area of NS237,102, Maybole NS298,100, Cassillis, area of NS340,128, Dalrymple, NS359,145, Martnaham Loch, NS392,174 (and presumably passing it via NS391,178), Coylton, NS408,196, Auchincruive, area of NS387,230, and St Quivox, NS375,240.

⁶ Very possibly the Kirkton Inn, Main Street, Dalrymple.

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

⁸ Oswald’s Bridge, River Ayr, Auchincruive, Ayrshire.

⁹ Assume Andrew Hope (about 1857-1928), mason, builder and Tenant Occupier of a house at Smiths Road, Darnick, Melrose [1911 Census; 1922 Valuation Rolls VR011600033-/897, Roxburgh County, page 897 of 993; death 1928, 799/1 39, Melrose].

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Breakfasted 5.30 + left in car at 6.10 intending to take the 7.40 from Peebles to Symington¹ but we got on so well that I took the car to Biggar which we reached about 8.30. Had breakfast at the Clydesdale² + left cycling at 9.18. Had a splendid run. There was a very slight S.E. wind which helped me + it was though it was a dull day there was no rain + I never got over heated. I didn’t stop for tea anywhere and got to Prestwick quite easily at 3.50. Including 20m [minutes] of stops I did the 53 miles in 5 hours 12 minutes. Found Rennie³ wonderfully well but complaining of feeling tired. My parcels hadn’t arrived so I went along to the P.O. but got no satisfaction.⁴ Sent P.C. [postcard(s)] to Dees⁵ + David.⁶ Got a pair of Rennie’s pyjamas from Marg^t.⁷

¹ Symington South Lanarkshire (rather than Symington South Ayrshire, the latter very close to Dr Muir’s destination), grid reference NGR NS994,353, where at the end of his journey on the Caledonian Railway, Symington, Biggar and Peebles Branch Dr Muir would have alighted on the east side of an island platform with the Caledonian Railway ‘down’ mainline on its west side, see Ordnance Survey 6 inch Lanarkshire Sheet XXXIII.SE, published 1912.

² The Editor has previously been unable to identify or locate the Clydesdale Arms (see diary entry for 27 June 1921).

³ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister, of Ladyton, Prestwick and widower of Catherine Stewart ‘Kate’ Rennie née Muir (1829-1915), Dr Muir’s sister.

⁴ Dr Muir had sent his luggage Post restante in preparation for his forthcoming trip to his brother-in-law at Prestwick, Ayrshire.

⁵ Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer, living at Faldonside, Galashiels.

⁶ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁷ Margaret is unidentified. James’s servant in the 1921 Census was Elizabeth Park aged 15.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

A dull day compared with yesterday but calm + pleasant + no rain S.E. Cycled to Mount Benger + over Swire to Fauldshope¹ + via Carterhaugh + Bridge Street to Hospital. Got back before 3. In afternoon made out list of patients for D.² to see +c. Made up a parcel to be sent by Parcel Post to Prestwick.³ Wrote a note to Helen⁴ who returns tomorrow afternoon + in short got everything ready for an early start tomorrow D. V. + W. P.⁵

¹ Dr Muir is repeating a route he had done on 4 October 1922 from Mountbenger, grid reference NGR NT309,253, over the Swire though NT369,259 to Fauldshope, Kirkhope, NT414,255, where he was attending the Wilson family; that Dr Muir aet 77 did this twice in a week ‘for fun’ (he could have driven) is evidence of his phenomenal fitness.

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

³ Dr Muir is sending items Post restante in preparation for his forthcoming trip to his brother-in-law at Prestwick, Ayrshire.

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

⁵ Deo volente (God willing) and weather permitting.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Dense fog : heavy dew. Lovely bright calm day. There wasn’t a leaf stirring. The weathercock pointed N.E. My cold rather better. David¹ was away shooting with Dees.² I saw Peter³ at Viewfield + walked on by Backfeus to Goslaw Green, Hospital, Raeburn Place, Halliday’s Park, Duncreay, Hill Street + Tait’s Hill. Had to go down in afternoon to see Mrs Dav. Judge, Forest Road.⁴ Only one person at Consultation. Wrote Margaret that I might be down at Prestwick on Monday.⁵

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

² Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer, living at Faldonside, Galashiels.

³ Peter is unidentified.

⁴ Helen Judge née Simpson (about 1877-), wife of David Judge (about 1870-1956), millworker, who was Tenant Occupier at 105 Forest Road; they had married 7 August 1920 at Edinburgh [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/166, Selkirk Burgh, page 166 of 644].

⁵ Margaret, otherwise unidentified, may be the housekeeper (the overdue 1921 Census would help) to Dr Muir’s brother-in-law the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), of Ladyton, Prestwick.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Streets wet this morning but it turned out a fine day. I feel very miserable with the Coryza + sneezed + coughed continuously. Saw some 6 or 7 cases and walked to Linglie Mill. Was in the house all day after. Mrs Mack with “supplies” including a pint of whisky: a pot of cream : some sponge cake + eggs.¹ I lunched off porridge. It was very clear calm + frosty looking at night.

¹ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose home was sometimes called ‘the Magic Cave’ by Dr Muir because of her frequent and generous gifts of food and drink.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Threatened with Coryza.¹ Had a very troublesome cough during last night + took several doses of cough mixt. C. Pen….² which seemed to cause dyspepsia: but this may also have been caused by Tuesday night’s dinner.³ It rained most of the day. Walked in the town + to Hospital + Broomhill (Mrs Graham, the County Surveyor’s wife).⁴ Called at Elmpark at night David⁵ was at Peebles at the unveiling of a War Memorial⁶ by Earl Haig⁷ + the opening of a Hospital⁸ by Munro.⁹

¹ Coryza is the Common cold.

² This medicine is as yet unidentified.

³ Dr Muir had dined with the members of the Forest Club, see diary entry for 3 October 1922.

⁴ Mrs Graham is so far unidentified but was the wife of William Graham, road surveyor and Tenant Occupier of a house and garden Broomhill, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/386, Selkirk County, page 386 of 611].

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

⁶ Peebles War Memorial at the Chambers Institution, grid reference NGR NT25275,40424, was unveiled 5 October 1922.

⁷ Field Marshal Earl Haig, KT GCB OM GCVO KCIE [Canmore ID 98203; War Memorial Reference 6040].

⁸ Moreland Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 and was located at Morelands on Tweed Green, Peebles. In 1922 Morelands and two adjoining houses were handed over to the community as The War Memorial Hospital. It was inaugurated on the same day as the Peebles War Memorial was unveiled. It was on Tweed Avenue, overlooking Tweed Green. It closed as a hospital in 1985 and became a private nursing home.

⁹ Robert Munro (1868-1955), 1st Baron Alness, GBE, PC, QC, DL, Scottish lawyer, judge and Liberal politician, who served as Secretary for Scotland (1916-1922), Lord Justice Clerk between 1922 and 1933, and was elected M.P. for the new Roxburgh and Selkirk Constituency in the 1918 General Election.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]