Was knocked up when I had been about 10 minutes in bed, at 11.40 for a case of appendicitis at Viewfield, a young man Brown1. Got back to bed at 2 + was rung up by Geo. Lawrie for his wife2. Went along + gave her a hypo of Heroin. Got finally to bed at 3. Motored over to Riddell to see Mark Sprot3 at 9.40 + was back in time to give anaesthetic at Viewfield for Mrs Lewis4 (bunion) + Mrs Neil5, Fairnilea (curetting). Had little else to do. Bank £67 odd including Simon Linton’s cheque for £62 6 06. Got my tackle ready for tomorrow at St Mary’s Loch with Sam Steel7. Saw Alastair Napier8 twice at Elmpark9. Sitting in the smoke room after dinner I was seized with renal colic and [illegible].
1 Brown is unidentified
2 Mrs Lawrie is unidentified though it may be possible to identify her when the 1921 Census is published later this year; she may be Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Laurie, wife of Robert Laurie (about 1851-1931), ironmonger, of Market Place and Fernlea, Anderson Road, Selkirk
3 Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf
4 Mrs Lewis is unidentified but may be part of the Lewis family, booksellers at Selkirk
5 Perhaps the wife of James Neil, ploughman at Fairnilea, Caddonfoot
6 Dr Muir had attended Simon Linton (1836–1921), farmer, of Oakwood, Selkirk, prior to his death on 23 June 1921 and this must be his final account
7 Samuel ‘Sam’ Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958
8 Alastair John George Malcolm Napier (1909-1984), son of Francis Edward Basil Napier, 12th Lord Napier of Merchistoun and the Hon. Clarice Jessie Evelyn Hamilton and thus Mrs Mackintosh’s first cousin once removed
9 Elm Park was the home of Mrs Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)
[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 but less clear + rather more S.E. wind. Continuous sunshine: hoar frost in morning. Saw Mrs Lawrie1, Market Place + at Thornfield gave Geo. Roberts2 Gas while D.3 removed tonsils + adenoids + also Miss Falconer4 for an abscess on her toe. Cycled to Peelburnfoot, Bank, Mill Street, Ettrick Mill + Hospital + later to Peelburnfoot + Gala where I attended meeting of Panel Comttee at which Menzies5, Tyrell6, Henderson7, McKay8 + Dav. were present. Dined at Elmpark9 + had to doctor little Alastair Napier10 who had a temp. of 101.8.
1 Mrs Lawrie is unidentified though it may be possible to identify her when the 1921 Census is published later this year; she may be Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Laurie, wife of Robert Laurie (about 1851-1931), ironmonger, of Market Place and Fernlea, Anderson Road, Selkirk
2 Perhaps George Roberts (1907-1934), son of Charles Henry Roberts, tweed manufacturer, and Euphemia Cranston Roberts née Greenwood, formerly of Mauldsheugh but by 1919 at Thornfield , 25 Scott’s Place, Selkirk; their children were cousins of the Wellwooders, Dr Muir’s grandchildren
3 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
4 Miss Falconer is unidentified though it may be possible to identify her when the 1921 Census is published later this year
5 James Morris Menzies (1871-1926), M.B., Ch.M. Edin., 1894, M.D., 1902, of Ettrick Lodge, Selkirk
6 Edward Munro Tyrrell (c.1862-1940), M.B., C.M., medical practitioner, of Wellwood, Galashiels
7 Percy James Henderson (1871-1935), M.B., CM (Ed.), 1896, medical practitioner, at Church Street, Galashiels in 1921 and 1924 but for some reason not noted in the 1922 or 1923 Valuation Rolls
8 McKay is unidentified (as he was in Dr Muir’s 24 June 1921 diary entry) though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year
9 Elmpark, Selkirk, home of Dr Muir’s friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) who, as a Watson was related to Alastair Napier
10 Assume Alastair John George Malcolm Napier (1909-1984), son of Francis Edward Basil Napier, 12th Lord Napier of Merchistoun and the Hon. Clarice Jessie Evelyn Hamilton and thus Mrs Mackintosh’s first cousin once removed
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
There was very heavy hoar frost this morning which disappeared whenever [?] the sun rose. It was an absolutely perfect day. There was never a cloud let in the sky till night + hardly a breath of wind. It was a glorious day to be out + after seeing the few town cases – 11 – on my list I started with Nancy1 about 11.40 + cycled to Gordon where she went for some chickens. We returned via Fanns2 + had tea with Charlie Herdman3 at Friarshall which is a charming sun-..tted place. He has a wall with nectarines + peaches4 covered with blossoms. We got back a little after 7. It was a very enjoyable run of about 35½ miles. I did 37.4.
1 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior
2 Fans, ENE of Earlston at grid reference NGR NT620,403; Dr Muir has confused the spelling with Fanns, Kirkhope, Selkirkshire, an isolated farmstead at the top of the Blindhaugh Burn, NT422,215 and also recorded as Canmore ID 275041
3 Charles William ‘Charlie’ Herdman (1880-1956), Proprietor Occupier, Friarshaugh and Friarshall, Melrose [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/590, Roxburgh County, page 590 of 993]; born 1880, Newington, married, 1925, Lucy Cameron Grace Campbell (1896–1981), died Gloucestershire
4 The Editor cannot resist quoting from Andrew Marvell’s The Garden “What wond’rous life in this I lead! | Ripe apples drop about my head; | The luscious clusters of the vine | Upon my mouth do crush their wine; | The nectarine and curious peach | Into my hands themselves do reach; | Stumbling on melons as I pass, | Ensnar’d with flow’rs, I fall on grass.”
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Still very cold with E. wind but quite dry + plenty sunshine. Very little to do so cycled to the meet at Ettrickbridgend. Jack + Tim1 were riding + the rest cycled. Jock, Stewart + Louise2 with a friend of Jock’s went on to the Hartleap + Tibbie3. Nancy4 + I crossed the river at Ettrickshaws + left our bikes5 at the house Saw Mrs Anderson6. Lady Dalkeith7 did the same in her motor. We saw them draw the woods at the [illegible]8 + then walked to the top of Shaw hill9 + saw them find at Gildie’s Green10, Deloraine Hill11, Singlie12, Kirkhope Town13 and Howchesters14. I spoke to Sam Steel15, The Duke and Duchess16. There were 25 to 30 riders. Got home at 4.30. Helen17 was down seeing Mrs Kennedy18 at Melrose [?].
1 John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Dr Muir’s son-in-law, and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s grandson, later a mill owner
2 John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982), also Dr Muir’s grandchildren
3 Hartleap and Tibbie Shiels, both Yarrow, grid references NGR NT283,213 and NT242,206 respectively
4 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior
5 It is interesting that of Dr Muir’s daughters Nancy appears to be the only one who is a regular or enthusiastic cyclist
6 Joan Scott Anderson née Shaw (about 1857-1936), daughter of Thomas Shaw and Catherine Shaw née McLaughlin and widow of Thomas ‘T’ Scott Anderson of Shaws; her daughter Katherine Margaret Scott Anderson was married to W H Ogilvie and lived at Kirklea, Ashkirk
7 Assume Lady Vreda Esther Mary Montagu Douglas Scott née Lascelles who had married, 1921, Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott (1894-1973) at this time styled the Earl of Dalkeith, later the 8th Duke of Buccleuch
8 This place name is illegible and indicates how Dr Muir’s writing has started to deteriorate, especially since the area in which the wood sits must be quite restricted within reach of both Ettrickshaws Farm and Shaw’s Hill
9 Shaws Hill grid reference NT379,216, from where they saw the hunt
10 East and West Gildiesgreen, Kirkhope, area of NGR NT382,183,
11 Deloraine Hill, unidentified but presumably somewhere between Delorainehope, NT341,187 and Gildiesgreen some way to the east
12 Singlie, Kirkhope, NT369,215
13 Kirkhope Town (the Editor cannot see Tower here) is not identified as such in any mapping or archaeology sources that the Editor can readily find (though see below) but is presumably the area of Kirkhope House and the range of buildings to its west, around grid reference NT38148,23806 and south of Hawkshawhall; however without further evidence (other than the logic of how far the hunt travelled and of what Dr Muir and Nancy could see from Shaw’s Hill) one cannot rule out Old Kirkhope and Kirkhope Tower to the north of Hawkshawhall; and though it does not solve the problem followers may like to see the one piece of evidence uncovered: “As they rade down by Rangecleuch ford, | They met Tam Bold o’ Kirkhope town; “ Now whar gang ye, thou rank reaver, | Beneath the ae light o’ the moon ?” | “When ye were last at Hawkshaw ha’, | Tam Bold, I had a stock right guid; | Now I hae neither cow nor ewe | On a’ the bonnie braes o’ Fruid.”” [The Tweeddale Raid from James Hogg, 1821, ‘The Mountain Bard: Consisting of Legendary Ballads and Tales’]
14 Howchesters has not been identified
15 Samuel ‘Sam’ Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958
16 Assume John Charles Montagu Douglas Scott (1894-1935), 7th Duke of Buccleuch and Lady Margaret Alice Bridgeman
17 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper
18 Mary Balfour Kennedy née Alison (1889-), born Newington, Edinburgh, she married, 1915, at Morningside, William Nicol Watson Kennedy, q.v., medical officer of health and school medical officer for Selkirkshire, 1921-about 1924, and had two sons Ian Alexander Kennedy (1916-1988) and Charles Gordon Kennedy (1920-) [sources: marriage 1915, 685/6 46, Morningside; Ian’s birth 1916, 685/6 219, Morningside; Charles’ birth Jun 1920, Croydon 2a 531]
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Yarrow Church burned last night or rather early this morning1
A dry but very cold day: dry, fresh + the [illegible] is frozen: keen N. to N.E. wind. Intended only going to Peelburnfoot but Dav.2 asked me to give gas at Clark Dentist’s3 to have a tooth extracted at 12. Before that I ran down to Halliday’s Park, Ettrick Road, Heather Mill + Hospital. From Clark’s I cycled to Peelburnfoot + Nest. Did some more tidying in my room. Helen4 had Miss Campbell5 to tea + a walk to Haining.
1 Yarrow Kirk was “seriously damaged by fire on Easter Sunday 1922, but rebuilt the following year, largely as it had emerged from the 1906 renovation.” [https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/selkirk/yarrowkirk/index.html]
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
3 Assume Thomas Raeburn ‘T Raeburn’ Clark (1879-1943), dental surgeon, at 8 The Green, Selkirk, and of Ettrickbridge, 1920 Valuation Roll; married to Isabella Watson, he died, 9 July 1943, aged 63, at 153 Morningside Drive, Edinburgh, usual residence Elburn, Ettrickbridge
4 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper
5 If the reading ‘Miss’ is correct then Miss Campbell may be the Viewfield night nurse who went with Dr Muir, Mrs Mackintosh (and possibly Helen Muir) to a performance of ‘The Creation’ on 23 March 1922
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
The morning broke bright + sunny but the day was dull + cold. Wind N.E. to N. A very slight drizzle once. I walked to Hospital + Halliday’s Park + went to morning service. Last Sunday I had taken all the books home as the Church was to be cleaned + I forgot them today so had to borrow from Robert Johnstone1. David2 came up in the evening + we had a talk over various matters + amongst others he suggested that he should have some extra remuneration for the operations to which I agreed. Mrs Mack3, Agnes4, Barbara5 + Alistair Napier6, who is staying at Elmpark, came to supper.
1 Robert Johnstone is unidentified
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
3 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk
5 Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest grandchild
6 Alastair John George Malcolm Napier (1909-1984), son of Francis Edward Basil Napier, 12th Lord Napier of Merchistoun and the Hon. Clarice Jessie Evelyn Hamilton and thus Mrs Mackintosh’s first cousin once removed
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Raining heavily all day till 2 [then] fair till 7 when there was a heavy shower. There was no frost nor sleet. S.W. [wind] glass very low. I was never out of the house. I had a list of 9 town cases none of them urgent so I stayed in my room + put up the accounts finally for delivery + a few which D.1 brought up for postage. Tidied the papers on the mantel shelf. Helen2 went with Nancy3 to the meet at Bowhill.
1 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
2 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper
3 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Dull cold morning. I cycled only to Faldonside (Katie Duff1) to get back in time for operations at Viewfield at 11. It began to rain as I got to Faldonside + was pretty wet when I got back. I had to get my coat dried at Viewfield. It poured all the day after with sleet at times. There were 2 cases of appendicitis+ a girl with [illegible]. I changed before lunch + after it motored to Philipburn, Peelburnfoot, Nest + Hospital. Took Helen2, Mrs Mack3 + Agnes Durnford4 to the Picture Ho. to see the Grand National5 – a very good film.
1 Kath, Cath or Katie Duff was house tablemaid at Faldonside, see 7 June 1920 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir
2 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper
3 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk
5 There is a good chance that Dr Muir’s party saw the British Pathé film of the 1922 Grand National which survives and may be seen here: Grand National 1922 At Aintree 1922 (be aware that there is a distressing scene on this film)
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
The rain here last night was snow on the hills + it was cold as ever with N. to N.E. wind but almost quite dry and pretty constant sunshine. Very small list which I finished shortly after 12 + then tackled the accounts + finished them at night. David’s1 plan to keeping separate books is not working well at all. Barbara2 came home today looking very bright + happy.
1 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
2 Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest grandchild, had left for Paris on 7 September 1921; she may have travelled further but the Editor cannot readily find any shipping records that document that
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Snow again! It is really most depressing. It was little more than a sprinkling+ soon disappeared but the wind went S.E. + then E. + there was no warmth. At night it was raining. I motored to Sprot Homes1 + found to my disquiet that D.2 (who had been at a confinement at Midlem Mill3) had just left. I had ‘Phoned him + Norah4 couldn’t tell me where he was. I came over by Lindean to Peelburnfoot. Walked to Hospital after lunch for another case of Diph. from Beechbank5. Helen6 went with Nancy7 to the meet at Borthaugh8 + was away all day.
1 A group of houses at Lilliesleaf known as Miss Frances Sprot Homes provided by the Miss Frances Sprot Trust
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
3 Dr Graham was presumably attending the birth of John Cockburn Young, born 12 April 1922 at Midlem Mill, Bowden, Roxburghshire, son of James Turnbull Young, gardener, and Davina Melville Young née Durie, married 1907 at Edinburgh
4 Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971), wife of Dr David Charteris Graham (1889-1963), medical practitioner
5 The Diphtheria outbreak had been running since early in 2021
6 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper
7 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter
8 Borthaugh, Teviotdale, with Borthaugh Covert at grid reference NGR NT474,136
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 