Best of the rest: A Recommends miscellany

BEST ARCHAEOLOGICAL/HISTORY SOCIETY: Hawick Archaeological Society www.airchieoliver.co.uk Established in 1856, this must be one of the best societies in Scotland and is certainly one of the oldest.

It is about to make all of its annual, printed transactions available online courtesy of the Lottery. These contain a wealth of Scottish Borders history and culture from the past 150 years.

The Society has a syllabus of lectures throughout the winter and also has an annual excursion.

It has over 500 members world-wide and was instrumental in establishing one of the loveliest museums in Scotland – the Wilton Lodge Museum.

BEST RESTAURANT: Tempus at the George Hotel, George Street, Edinburgh, 0131 240 7197 www.eh2tempus.co.uk: It is not often that a piece of meat beats me at a dinner-time showdown, but that is exactly what happened at Tempus last week. The beef Wellington contained an amazing slab of fillet beef, cooked perfectly and served with a creamy mashed potato. It was just too big – not a criticism I generally make of restaurant portions.

My fellow diners were equally impressed, with the salmon, mussels and duck dishes all gaining thumbs up. Service was efficient and, although not at the budget end of the eatery scale, the price reflected what was served on the plate.

BEST CAFÉ: The Treehouse Café, Academy St, Dumfries, 01387 731 359: As a regular customer, I would like to recommend the Treehouse Café. I have enjoyed going there since it opened for my coffee and scones and also for breakfast or baked potatoes.

You are sure of a nice welcome from the staff. There is room for about 60 people and there is a nice garden in which you can sit in good weather – and a log cabin that is very cosy and warm on winter days. I go there before Queen of the South matches and heartily recommend it.

BEST FISH AND CHIPS: The only fish and chip shop is Jim Jacks in the Northgate, Peebles. Your writers should go and taste the real thing, then they can say "by God, we have lived!" You're still the best Jim – and Jenny is the best assistant.

I consider myself a bit of an expert on fish and chips and would like to nominate Ghiloni's in Townhead, Kirkintilloch. Freshly cooked, crispy batter and the chips are just how they should be. Added to this, the home-made tartare sauce is perfectly complimentary to the fish. I'm making myself hungry just by writing this e-mail. It must be up there with the best.

(These two chippies are not featured in Best of the Best as this is the first time either has been recommended – if they get more support, they will be included in the listings.)

BEST FARM SHOP: Carmichael Estates Farm Meats in Biggar (www.carmichael.co.uk). It has the best lamb, venison and beef I've ever tasted, and their butcher is brilliant. A real hidden gem.

BEST WILD DISCOVERY: Mine was in April 2004, when I startled one of Scotland's not-so-friendly cats on Culloden Muir near the Culwiniac enclosure.

BEST GOLF HOLE: I cannot believe your correspondent Paul MacMichael picked five 18th holes and didn't include Moray Old. I can only assume he has never played the course. It is mentioned regularly by golf writers as possibly THE best finishing hole in Scotland. With the tee hard against a wall and gardens out of bounds all the way up the right, and a row of bunkers waiting down the left, a straight drive is essential. The second shot to a raised green carved out of a bank, with the imposing clubhouse sitting above the green, is a challenging second, with Hell bunker awaiting the slack shot.