Magnificent sun rise followed by a dull coldish day + occasional slight drizzle. Breakfasted at 7.15 + left at 8.10 + went right up to Craighill to see Abbey Anderson¹ who had a feverish cold. Called for Lady Napier² + for a maid at Cacrabank³. Came back via Shielshaugh to see May Warwick⁴. Found messages to Niven⁵, Mavisbank, Henderson⁶, Dunsdale, + Emond, Chapel Street⁷ which I did along with Shawpark⁸, on foot + then I had to go over to Gala to see Isa Paton⁹ who had injured her side by a fall. Dav.¹⁰ was shooting at Fairnilea¹¹.

¹ Craighill was the home of Mrs Grace Linton Anderson née Davidson who had been seen by Dr Muir several times since she had had a baby Johan Muir Anderson on 1 August 1921; she was the second wife of John Laidlaw Anderson, shepherd, they had married 7 March 1919, at Ettrick [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/312, Selkirk County, page 312 of 611.

² Clarice Jessie Evelyn Napier née Hamilton (1881-1951), the Hon., Lady Napier

³ Cacrabank, Ettrick; the identity of the maid is unknown

⁴ Assume Margaret ‘May’ Warwick, wife of Andrew Warwick, head gamekeeper, [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/324, Selkirk County, page 324 of 611]

⁵ Assume Miss Maggie Niven, weaver, who was Tenant Occupier of a house 8 Mavisbank, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/182, Selkirk Burgh, page 182 of 644]

⁶ Assume Henderson, Dunsdale [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/324, Selkirk County, page 324 of 611]

⁷ Assume Miss Joan Emond, Tenant Occupier of a house and garden at Chapel Street, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/174, Selkirk Burgh, page 174 of 644]

⁸ Dr Muir was seeing John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawpark and Shawmount, Selkirk

⁹ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929), formerly of Selkirk but who had flitted to Galashiels with her sister Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940) in May 1918

¹⁰ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Quite a change to a clear sunny day + a more seasonable temperature. N.W. To W. [wind]. Helen¹ went to Edin[burgh] at 8.11 to spend a couple of days with Mrs Mack² at Mrs Simpson’s³. I had a small town list but was twice at Shawpark where I opened a suppurating cyst at the back of Boylan’s⁴ ear. Did some clerical work in afternoon.

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

² Agnes Mackintosh, née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

³ Margaret ‘Maggie’ Simpson née Watson (1857-1939), sister of Mrs Agnes Mackintosh née Watson of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁴ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawpark and Shawmount, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Dense fog which continued the whole day: quite calm + not cold. Got letters from Dora¹ + Jean² + wrote them both. Walked first to Millburn Place + gave Chlor[oform] to a man whose knee D.³ wanted to examine. Then to The Green, Forest Road, Dunsdale, Hospital. Then to Bank, Rockville, Mavisbank + [illegible]. Helen⁴ + Nancy⁵ cycled to Friarshall⁶ to see Mabel Herdman⁷.

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

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

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

⁵ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁶ Friarshall or Friar’s Hall, sometimes Friarshaugh, Melrose, grid reference NGR NT54973,35017; Proprietor Occupier Charles William Herdman [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/601, Roxburgh County, page 601 of 993]

⁷ Mabel Herdman (1877-1951), daughter of John Herdman, flour miller, and Elizabeth Herdman née Blackhall, and sister of Charles William Herdman (1881-1956), at this time of Friarshall, Melrose

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Fog in morning which lifted but did not disperse

Still mild but not nearly as close as the last two days. Went with Sam Steel¹ + Tom Wilson² (Ladhope) to Limeycleuch³ where they were Redding the ewes i.e. drafting for sale those over 6 years. It was a nice run. I had a look at the papers while the operation was going on: then we had lunch. (Sam + I) of Tom’s providing + then walked to the top of the Wisp [? Hill]⁴. Frustratingly the visibility was poor + the views much restricted. The car met us near Eweslees⁵ + we returned via Hermitage⁶. The road from Fiddleton Toll⁷ to Hermitage I think I have gone twice but it was as good as new to me. Got home at 6.

¹ Major Samuel ‘Sam’ Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., of Philiphaugh, Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958

² Tom Wilson of Ladhope is not identified

³ Limiecleuch, Teviothead, grid reference NGR NT388,028

⁴ Wisp Hill, Teviothead / Ewes, grid reference NY386,993

⁵ Eweslees, Ewes, grid reference NY387,973

⁶ Hermitage, between Hawick and Newcastleton, grid reference NY506,957

⁷ Assume Fiddleton Toll Bar Cottage, Ewes, grid reference NY388,962, see also Ordnance Survey 6 inch Dumfriesshire Sheet XXVII.SE, published 1900 (the building, though it does not appear to have been identified as a toll house on the OS six inch mapping, is still clearly identifiable on the east side of the A7 as one travels south alongside the Eweslees Burn between Eweslees and Bush and is unmistakably a toll house in origin)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Another most delightful day. Calm: bright mild: I had to put on my lightest under clothing. I was not at Church either morning or evening. Walked to Hospital: 4 new cases of Diph.¹ admitted + among them a third Wylie². Helen³ + I lunched at Philiphaugh. Sam Steel⁴ gave me the handsome donation of £50 for Viewfield⁵. Jack⁶, Nancy⁷ + Mrs Mack⁸ supped with me.

¹ An outbreak of Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever had been running in Selkirk since the summer of 1921

² James Wylie, labourer, and his family lived at Market Place, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll]

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

⁴ Major Samuel ‘Sam’ Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., of Philiphaugh, Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958

⁵ Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, purchased by Dr Muir in 1920 for the Muir and Graham co-partnery

⁶ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, and Dr Muir’s son-in-law

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁸ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A most perfect day. How I wished it had been such a week ago! There was constant sunshine + a little S.W. breeze. Cycled to Rockville¹, Market Place (another Wylie² with Diph.), Hospital, Forest Road, Beechwood + Black Andro Cottage. At latter saw John Hogg³ (formerly Chapel Street) on behalf of the Co-op Insur^ce Soc.⁴ Went up the hill a little + enjoyed the lovely landscape + the autumnal tints. Dora⁵ ‘Phoned the astounding news that she had left Mrs Ritchie⁶. She says what Mrs R. wants is a Lady’s maid.

¹ Rockville, 44 Hillside Terrace, Selkirk, home of Robert Currie ‘junior’ (about 1847-1923), hosiery manufacturer

² James Wylie, labourer, was tenant of a house at Market Place, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/110, Selkirk Burgh, page 110 of 644]

³ John Hogg is elusive, not showing up at either Black Andro or Chapel Street

⁴ Co-operative Insurance Society

⁵ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁶ This was indeed astounding because Dora had only left for Mrs Ritchie’s home after lunch on the 6 October 1921

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Mild weather continues+ there was only a very slight drizzle once. Dav.¹ operated on Mrs Mein² at Viewfield³ (Colopath…). I saw town cases walking. Called at Mauldsheugh⁴ was introduced to a Miss Carmichael, Miss Cumming + Major Hilton⁵. Gave Fanny Boyle⁶ gas. Dav. extracted 6 teeth. Nancy⁷ came home from Ambleside + Jack⁸ from London.

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

² Mrs Mein is unidentified

³ Viewfield Nursing Home was purchased by the Muir and Graham medical practice in 1920

⁴ Mauldsheugh, Selkirk was Dr Graham’s home and the medical partnership’s surgery and cottage hospital

⁵ None of Miss Carmichael, Miss Cumming[s] or Major Hilton has been identified

⁶ Fanny Boyle is unidentified

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁸ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, and Dr Muir’s son-in-law

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

[The text at the top of the page has been transcribed as part of the diary entry for Monday 3rd October]

Still very mild + fair up till 4.30 after which there was some rain. David¹ was shooting at Yair². I cycled to Rosemount³, Viewfield, Hospital, Manorhill⁴ +c. At latter I saw Taylor⁵ the gardener + Mrs Steel asked Mr T to tell me she had been staying with Mrs Murray Scott⁶ (a Ramsay of Bowland) at Haslemere + had called for May⁷. Attended meeting of panel committee in Stalker’s⁸ office where we re-elected …⁹ for 3 years. Got wet in the knees cycling back. Dora¹⁰ went off to Edin. to Mrs Ritchie¹¹ at 3.40.

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

² The Tenant Occupier of Yair Mansion, Caddonfoot was Isaac William Burns-Lindow, not Lindon as ScotlandsPeople has it (about 1868-1946), D.S.O., the last commanding officer of The South Irish Horse, one of the six southern Irish regiments of the British Army disbanded in 1922 following the creation of the new Irish Free State [Sources include: 1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/306, Selkirk County, page 306 of 611; Robin Rhoderick-Jones ‘In Peace & War: The Story of The Queen’s Royal Hussars’, 2018]

³ James Kirkpatrick, wool agent, was Proprietor of a house Rosemount, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/141, Selkirk Burgh, page 141 of 644]

⁴ Florence Elphinstone Ford or Steel, widow, was Proprietor of a house, offices and grounds Manorhill, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/329, Selkirk County, page 329 of 611]

⁵ Albert Taylor, gardener, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house “at Gardens, Manorhill” (1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/329, Selkirk Burgh, page 329 of 611]

⁶ Helen Gertrude Scott née Ramsay (1874-1963); Canada-born daughter of William Ramsay (about 1836-1919), landed proprietor, and Helen Anderson Ramsay née Reid, of Bowland, Stow, Midlothian, she had married, 15 February 1913, at Bowland, Stow, William Murray Scott, sugar refiner, of Richmond, Surrey

⁷ May is almost certainly a Muir relative

⁸ D G Stalker, Clerk to the National Health Insurance Committee, based at the British Linen Bank Buildings, Galashiels

⁹ This reference is unclear

¹⁰ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), his youngest daughter and a nurse

¹¹ Mrs Ritchie is not identified

¹ [Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Most remarkably mild almost oppressively so + yet very pleasant. Saw 9 town cases + cycled to Galashiels to a meeting of the Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax. It was very pleasant cycling. Sent a child Wylie¹ to Hosp. with Dipth². Dora³ went to tea at Elmpark⁴ to say goodbye + Helen⁵ with her.

¹ James Wylie, labourer, and his family lived at Market Place, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll]

² There was a prolonged outbreak of Diptheria and Scarlet Fever in Selkirk during 1921

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

⁴ Elm Park was the home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Still wet but not so bad as yesterday. Fair today but misty + damp. Made 14 town calls + motored to Newtown for a meeting of the Branch¹ at which D^r Easson² gave a very interesting lecture on Goitre³. I didn’t stay to tea as Alex^r Roberts⁴ had asked me to dinner at the Forest Club⁵. However in David’s⁶ absence at Williamhope⁷ I had to go to Howford Cottage to see Mrs Tait⁸ + missed the dinner. Jock⁹ went back to school + so Wellwood¹⁰ is empty.

¹ The local meeting of the Edinburgh Branch of the British Medical Association

² John Eason (1874-1964), M.B., C.M., M.D., F.R.C.P. Edin. was a specialist in goitre at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh

³ Goitre is swelling of the thyroid gland

⁴ Assume Alexander Thomas ‘Alec’ Roberts (1885-1972), son of Thomas James Scougal ‘Tom’ Roberts and Hyndmer Rutherford Roberts née Crawford

⁵ This dinner of the Forest Club, held 4 October 1921 at Selkirk, is recorded in the minutes of that club held at the Heritage Hub; those present were C H [Charles Henry] Scott Plummer, John Scott, C W [Charles Walter] Dunlop, A S Pringle Pattison, S [Samuel] Strang Steel, A J [Alexander Thomas ‘Alec’] Roberts, Walter Dunlop jun., William Younger, J B [? James Bruce] Jardine, D M [Douglas Monro] Ramsay, N S [Norman Smith] Pringle Pattison, Wm C [? William Claxton] Dundas and apologies from Major Forbes Gordon but no mention of Dr Muir presumably reflecting his absence at short notice [The Forest Club, minutes 1874-1956, Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/584/4]

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

⁷ Williamhope, Caddonfoot

⁸ Assume Agnes Tait née Doherty, wife of Robert Tait, ploughman, who had a daughter Helen, 10 January 1921, at Howford Cottage, Kirkhope [birth 776/ 2 Kirkhope]

⁹ John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), one of Dr Muir’s grandsons

¹⁰ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk was the home of the Roberts family comprising Dr Muir’s daughter Nancy, her husband John and their children

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]