Cold N.W. wind: fair amount of sun. There was a second day’s racing at the Gala Rigg for the first time and the usual games at Cricket Piece. I cycled in town to Clifton Terrace, Curror Street, Hospital, Pinegrove + Forest Road + walked to Henhouse + on the way went to the top of deer park¹. Found message to Jas. Hardie², Bridgelands when I got back + cycled there. Helen³ went with Jack⁴, Nancy⁵, Barbara⁶ + her friend Thomson⁷ to Moffat + took Tim⁸ to Wamphray Glen⁹ where the [sic] had lunch + tea pic-nic.

¹ The Deer Park, Hartwoodburn (a deer park historically and until well into the 20th Century) is about 56 acres between Haining Loch and the A7 opposite the Selkirk Golf Club

² Assume James Hardie (about 1841-1922), retired ploughman, husband of Margaret Nicholson, who was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Bridgelands Lodge, Galashiels, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁴ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and three-time Provost of Selkirk, later knighted “for political and public services in Selkirkshire”

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

⁶ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), daughter of John Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir

⁷ Dr Muir seems to have had a problem with Miss Thomson’s name (see diary entries for 15th and 16th June 1922) but in any case she is unidentified

⁸ George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), son of John Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts nee Muir, later a mill owner

⁹ Wamphray, east of the Moffat to Lockerbie road, the glen runs through grid reference NGR NY135,972

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

Common Riding Day

Dull rather misty morning without much wind N.W. Kept fair all day + some sunshine in afternoon + evening. Saw the start from Victoria Hall¹, all of us in dishabille². There was said to be 153 riders. Had breakfast at Wellwood³ after the Casting⁴. Col. Dunlop⁵ + Mark Sprot⁶ there. The latter rode the Marches⁷ + afterwards motored to Edin[burgh]! Nancy⁸ + I cycled up Yarrow. She to M^t Benger School + I to Bengerburnhope. Got back about 5.20 + had to go up Ettrickhaugh Road to Mrs Gill⁹ + in the evening to Mrs Neil, Fairnilea Cottages¹⁰ in all 40.6 [miles]. Dora¹¹ + Louis Brown¹² went to Edin.

¹ On the morning of the Common Riding the focus on the Victoria Hall from 06.30 before the procession forms and marches to Market Place awaiting the “Second Drum” at 07.00

² En déshabillé means in a state of undress – or informally dressed – remember that Dr Muir lived directly opposite the Victoria Hall so he may well have been informal at this time

³ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, home of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg, John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts, Louisa Jane Roberts, later Rutherford, Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts

⁴ Casting is the part of the Selkirk Common Riding where the procession returns to town following the Rideout accompanied by the Selkirk Pipers and Silver Band for the Casting of the Colours (flags)

⁵ Colonel Dunlop is unidentified but is presumably a member of the Dunlop family of Whitmuirhall, Selkirk

⁶ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf

⁷ Riding the Marches (or boundaries) was the main task of the Common Riding

⁸ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁹ There are a number of references to Gill at Ettrickhaugh Road, Selkirk in the Valuation Rolls so it is not possible to identify Mrs Gill here

¹⁰ Dr Muir had seen a patient on 21 April 1922 whom the Editor suspects was the wife of James Neil, ploughman at Fairnilea, Caddonfoot

¹¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

¹² Louis (Louise?) Brown (the Editor thinks the reading Louis Thomson was correct for 15 June 1922 diary) is not identified

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

An absolutely sunless but not unpleasant day. Little or no wind: once a threatening of rain. I saw 4 town cases + Hospital + cycled to Upper Faldonside to find that the cook¹ was away to Gala. Got a drink from Jessie² + went on to Melrose, Newstead, Leaderfoot + Cove³. Went up the road to the quarry + left my bike + walked up one of the crags that run towards Smailholm + took my tea. It was very delightful though the distant views were hazy. Walked along to the highest one above Brotherston. Got back at 5. Changed + went to the Colonial Bussin’.⁴ Tom Ballantyne⁵ in the Chair + he got me on my feet. Dora⁶ + Brown⁷ went to [illegible] Corporation Bussin’ in the Victoria Hall + Helen⁸ went with Barb.,⁹ Mrs Mack¹⁰ + Louis Thomson¹¹ to the [illegible] soldiers.¹²

¹ Mrs Montgomery was the cook at High Faldonside but is otherwise unidentified

² Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

³ Though Dr Muir’s route there is not clear this probably refers to Cove House, Earlston, grid reference NGR NT628,379, which has a quarry nearby from which Dr Muir presumably walked in the direction of Boghouse and Brotherstone – see Ordnance Survey 6 inch Sheets Berwickshire XXVI (and extension XXV) and Roxburghshire IX, both published 1862

⁴ The Colonial Bussin’ is part of the Selkirk Common Riding

⁵ Tom Ballantyne is not (yet) identified

⁶ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁷ Miss Brown is unidentified

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁹ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest granddaughter

¹⁰ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

¹¹ Louis (Louise?) Thomson is not identified

¹² Presumably part of the Common Riding but not identified

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

Fine day + just right temp. for active exercise. Cycled to Clifton Road, Hospital, Forest Mill, Forest Road + Backrow + then walked to Rockville, Deepslade [sic] + on to Whitmuir moss where I had an unsuccessful hunt for Coralorhiza¹. It was lovely all round + the hawthorn magnificent. Got back to tea in the garden with Dora² + Miss Brown³ who went down to Elmpark⁴ after dinner. At 11 p.m. David⁵ got me over to the Home to Chloroform Mrs Tweddle from Deloraine⁶ who he thinks has an ectopic gestation.

¹ Probably Corallorhiza trifida, a “rare northern continental element which is recorded at Whitmuir Moss [Rosalind Tratt, 1997, ‘The Scottish Borders Fens: Controls on Vegetation Development and Composition’, A thesis submitted to the University of Sheffield for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy page 4, https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/2967/1/DX201680.pdf%5D

² Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

³ Miss Brown is unidentified

⁴ Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), Dr Muir’s close friend

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

⁶ Jeanie Mitchell had married Robert Kyle Tweddle at Kirkhope in 1919; he was Tenant of properties at Wester Deloraine, Delorainehope and Deloraineshiel and elsewhere in Kirkhope [marriage: 1919, 776/ 1, Kirkhope]

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

N.E. [wind] Welcome rain today from 4 a.m. till about 1. It will do good but another 24 hours of it would have been better. I walked to Forest Road + Hospital (where 2 cases of D.¹ have been admitted) + then gave Clor[oform] to Maycock² at the Home³ while D.⁴ extirpated a hydrocele. Then I went in the Morris Cowley to see Mrs Dees who with Mr Dees⁵ came up from N Berwick⁶ for a night. Started at 3 in a hire [car] with Mrs Mack⁷, H. + D.⁸ + Miss Broom⁹ + went via Wollrig to Ettrickshaws¹⁰ for tea. We saw the most magnificent display of Rhododendrons there. All the girls went to the Picture Ho. at night.

¹ Diphtheria is evidently still about after the major outbreak in Selkirk or there has been another outbreak; Dr Muir has not referred to anything like as often latterly

² Dr Muir had previously attended Catherine Maycock née Gow (1874-1959), wife of George James Maycock (1877-1957), butler, later poultry farmer, at this time living at Lower Faldonside, Galashiels – see diary entry for 14th October 1921 for more detail

³ The Home refers to Viewfield Nursing Home

⁴ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁵ No reason is given for why Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson and her husband Robert Irwin Dees who lived at Faldonside should be described as visiting

⁶ If the reading North Berwick is correct there is no evidence in the Valuation Rolls that the Dees had property interests there

⁷ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s youngest daughter and a nurse

⁹ Miss Broom is as yet unidentified

¹⁰ Ettrickshaws, Kirkhope, home of Joan Scott Anderson née Shaw (about 1857-1936), widow of Thomas ‘T’ Scott Anderson of Shaws

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

Shilfa¹ nest in log at back. I thought I had seen a sparrow going into the place + got Baptie² to investigate, when the hen Shilfa flew out

A fine day with strongish S.W. wind but not enough to raise dust. Cycled to Mauldsheugh on my way to Ettrickhaugh Road + Hospital + David³ told me that Cutkerwood should be seen so I went on there calling at Tinnis + Yarrow Hall⁴. Got back before 2 + saw some town cases after. D.³ came up at night + we arranged Income Tax returns amounting … £240 from Viewfield to £2407-19-8 [illegible] £663 703-2-4⁵. Got letter from Patrick⁶.

¹ SHILFA, n. Also -faw, -flaw, -fie, -f(e)y, shillfa, schilfa, shelfa, -fie, sheelfa, and reduced forms shillie, -y, shellie, -y (Fif.), sheelie, -y, sheilie, shully. The chaffinch, Fringilla caelebs (Ags. 1784 Gentleman’s Mag. II. 505; Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bwk. 1889 G. Muirhead Birds Bwk. I. 162; Cai. 1907 J. Horne County Cai. 374; Ayr. 1909 Science Gossip (Aug.) 227; Cai., m. and s.Sc. 1970). Also in Nhb. dial. [Source: ‘Dictionars o the Scots Leid’]

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

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁴ This may refer to the public hall at Catslackburn, Proprietors Yarrow Parish Council, though it seems most likely that Dr Muir is attending the hall’s caretaker Adam Brunton who was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of the house attached [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/392, Selkirk County, page 392 of 611]

⁵ The Editor does not precisely understand the text here but if they partners were paying a shade under 30% Income Tax that would be in line with rates at the end of the First World War and into the 1920s

⁶ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

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

All blooms in great profusion Rowan Tree full out

Glass which fell yesterday rose today and all signs of rain are gone. Slight N.W. wind, sunny + not too warm. Saw 4 cases + went to morning service. Was called out to see Mrs Hope¹, Ettrick Terrace + also cycled to Ewart², Ettrickhaugh Road for a child. Expecting Dav.³ up to arrange about Income Tax returns I got everything ready but he couldn’t [illegible word]. Supped at Wellwood. Ed. Macnamara⁴, Backrow, has pneumonia for the 2^d time.

¹ Mrs Hope has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² Dr Muir was presumably attending one of two children James Ewart (1919-), born Aberdeen, or Margaret Mary Ewart (1921-), born Ettrickhaugh Road, Selkirk, the children of Thomas Ewart, marine stoker, and Annie Ewart née Cruickshanks; the parents had married 1 May 1918 at Graitney or Gretna, Dumfriesshire, at which time he was a stoker on H.M.S. Hercules (the later of the two Colossus-class dreadnought battleships) and she was a munitions worker [1919, 778/ 27, Selkirk; 1921, 778/ 45, Selkirk]

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁴ Edward ‘Ed’ Macnamara, carter and Tenant Occupier of a house at 50 Back Row, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/282, Selkirk Burgh, page 282 of 644]

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

No more rain during the night + just a few drops this morning. There has not been enough to any good + brown patches are showing in Dovecot Park. Two minor operations at Viewfield. Cycled to Henhouse, Boose Mill + Lilliesleaf. At Boose Mill D.¹ had a confinement yesterday². Met Mrs Cochrane of Linthill³ there whom I haven’t seen for many years. Got home at 3.15 to find a message to Dewar, Woll Rigg⁴ + cycled there (6.6). Dav. attended Mrs Henry, Deepslaids⁵. N.W. to W. wind kept the day pleasantly cool.

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

² Jeanie Blair Blackie Renton, born 9 June 1922 at Boosmiln Cottage, Lilliesleaf, the daughter of Thomas Borthwick Renton, ploughman, and Jeanie Blair Renton née Blackie, married 1918 at Gordon, Berwickshire

³ This may refer to Mrs Catherine Cochrane née Swinton, born Legerwood, Berwickshire, wife of David Cochrane, gardener, the Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house known as Garden Cottage, Linthill, Lilliesleaf; they had married 1880 at Gordon, Berwickshire and had children James (1883-), Thomas Hay Swinton (1884-), Margaret Kirkwood (1887-), Alexander (1886-), Joseph Swinton (1888-), David (1895-), Roberta Kate (1898-) and Janet Swinton Borthwick (1903-) [statutory BMDs and 1922 Valuation Roll VR011600033-/883, Roxburgh County, page 883 of 993]

⁴ William Dewar, manager, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house known as Wollrig, Ashkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/355, Selkirk County, page 355 of 611]

⁵ It is probable that this refers to Anne or Annie Patterson Henry née Black, wife of Peter Henry, farm servant, who was “Inhabitant Occupier not rated” of a house at Deepslaids, Selkirk, 1922 and who was recorded as ploughman at Fauldshope, Kirkhope on the 1911 Census, and this seems to be corroborated by the birth record of Margaret Henry in 1902 at Mortonhall, Melrose where the couple had married the month before her birth [sources: 1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/375, Selkirk County, page 375 of 611; 1911 Census 776/ 3/ 4, page 4 of 8; Margaret’s birth 1902 Henry, Margaret, Statutory registers Births 799/1 25; parents’ marriage Henry, Peter and Black, Anne Patterson, 1902, 799/1 3, Melrose]

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

Bright calm morning: dull in afternoon. Wind E. to S.E. Cooler: some very slight showers. Frank, Dorothy, Diana + Marg^t1 left for home intending to stay tonight at Penrith. I have enjoyed their visit very much. I saw a few town cases + cycled to Hospital + to Lower + Upper Faldonside. Jessie Boyd² + I looked up the plates in Sowerby’s E.B.³ I spotted the plant from White Coomb⁴ as Cornus suecica a dwarf cornel; one of 2 species in the order Cornaceae⁵, the other being a shrub Dogwood. Mrs Tulloch⁶ a nurse who was with Mrs Muir Stewart⁷ when I attended her 14 years ago at Galashiels came to tea. She has been with Mrs Thorburn⁸. Dora’s⁹ friend Brown¹⁰ arrived.

¹ Francis ‘Frank’ Muir, Dr Muir’s son-in-law, Dorothy Muir née Armitage, Frank’s wife and their two daughters Diana Marianne Muir, later Greener and Margaret Helen Muir, later Greener

² Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

³ James Sowerby ‘English Botany’ usually known as ‘Sowerby’s Botany’ and described as “English Botany or, Coloured Figures of British Plants, with their Essential Characters, Synonyms and Places of Growth”, it was published between 1790 and 1814 with a second edition 1831 to 1846

⁴ Nancy Roberts née Muir, Dr Muir’s second daughter, had found a plant which Dr Muir did not recognise at White Coomb in the Moffat Hills, see diary entry for 8 June 1922

⁵ Mrs Tulloch is not yet identified

⁶ Mrs Muir Stewart is not yet identified

⁷ Cornus suecica a dwarf cornel; one of two species in the order Cornaceae

⁸ This may refer to Mary Alison Thorburn née Brodie, wife of Malcolm Murray Thorburn (1889-1977), manufacturer and sometime soldier, at Dandswall, Shawpark Road, 1921 Valuation Roll

⁹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

¹⁰ Dora’s friend Brown is unidentified

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

A very hot day becoming hazier + sultry towards night and the wind went round to E. Frank¹ with Nancy² + Dora³ went to Loch Skene⁴ where F. got 1½ doz. nice trout: Nancy climbed White Coomb⁵ + lunched beside a snow drift + Dora studied the Tail⁶ + lunched!⁷ I cycled to Tinnis, Cutcarwood, Deuchar Mill + Newarkburn⁸. Helen⁹ had Alice Muir’s kids¹⁰ + the Passy children¹¹ for tea in the garden. I was called out about 11.10 to see Georgina Kemp¹² who had cycled into Tweed Bridge + got concussion. Frank got about Nancy brought a very pretty little flower from White Coomb which I didn’t know.

¹ Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1877-1972), electrical engineer and managing director, and Dr Muir’s nephew, for more detail see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 5 June 1922

² Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

³ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

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

⁵ White Coomb in the Moffat Hills, NT16321,15090

⁶ Grey Mare’s Tail on the Tail Burn, ESE of Birkhill, NT184,148

⁷ Dr Muir has commented on his youngest daughter’s weight before

⁸ All points on the Selkirk to Mountbenger road

⁹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

¹⁰ Alice Muir and her children have not (yet) been identified

¹¹ The Passy children were Margaret Helen Katherine Passy (1915–1982) and Ian Harry Deare Passy (1921–1941), later Serjeant RAFVR 921874 who died around 04.00 hours on Monday 13 October 1941 when his Avro Manchester I serial L731 code EM:L of 207 Squadron flying out of RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire was shot down while returning from an attempt to bomb a synthetic rubber factory at Hüls (Krefeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen) by Dornier 215 B-5 flying from Gilze-Rijen, crew Oberfeldwebel Paul Gildner, Feldwebel Müller and Unteroffizier Pollelmeyer, crashing with one survivor at Horendonk about 2 km east of Essen, Antwerp, Belgium; the crew are buried in a collective grave at Essen (Horendonk) Communal Cemetery, Belgium and Ian’s personal inscription reads “Crusaders They, As Any Knights Who Wore The Cross” which a Dutch source expands to “Crusaders they, as any knights who wore the cross, They climb into their bombers, careless of death and loss, For evil must be stamped by sacrifice and toil, His body lies in Belgium’s soil.”, noting that “De moeder van Ian koos voor een regel uit een gedicht dat ze in 1943 ter nagedachtenis van haar overleden zoon had geschreven. Vandaag siert deze regel nog steeds het graf van haar zoon.” [“Ian’s mother chose a line from a poem she wrote in 1943 in memory of her late son. Today, this line still adorns her son’s grave.”] [sources: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2806971/ian-harry-deare-passy/ and http://aircrewremembered.com/bowes-cavanagh-brian.html and a source at docplayer.nl in which the Editor has limited confidence (no sources are given) though the source is very specific noting that on 8 December 1949 Ian Passy’s mother was asked what text should be engraved on the headstone of her son’s grave]

¹² Perhaps Georgina Kemp (1900-1986), daughter of George Kemp, woollen pattern weaver, and Elizabeth Linton Kemp née Hope, married 1884, Selkirk

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