How Joakim Gomez Ran 37.2km During A Week-Long Trip In Scotland (And What Else He Got Up To Over There)

Loch-ed and loaded: Joakim in front of the abandoned ruins of the 15th century Kilchurn Castle (above), which sits on the stunning shores of Loch Awe. In case you’re wondering why the 987FM jock, who was there in February, is in running gear, it’s ’cos the avid runner did a lot of running on this trip. And, no, the cold didn’t bother him. “Obviously, at the start of my run, I was very cold. But in less than five minutes, my body warmed up and I was doing fine. I think running is one of the best ways to explore a city,” he says.

Doesn’t the Kilchurn Castle look like the perfect setting for an episode of Game of Thrones?

There’s a good reason why Joakim is drenched in sweat (right), despite being decked out in only one layer in -1°C weather. This was taken right after he ran 6km to get to the top of the 1,126m-high mountain at the Cruachan Dam in Loch Awe. As a bonus, he was greeted with the sight of tons of gazing sheep on the jog up. Not baa-d.

To get to the top of Arthur’s Seat for this breathtaking view, Joakim ran a total of 12km to and from from The Lairg hotel, where he was staying. “There are many ways to get to the peak of Arthur’s Seat. You can either follow the path or find one on your own. Just make sure you wear shoes with great grip,” he advises.

Let’s toast: What’s the next best thing to do on holiday after running? Drinking. We’re talking about the birthplace of whisky, after all. Joakim recommends the world famous Bon Accord bar in Glasgow, where you can have a good dram of whisky and ale. “Ask the friendly bartenders for recommendations or tell them your preferences,” he says. Other go-to bars: Church-turned-pub Òran Mór, BrewDog Glasgow (“Try their ‘Elvis Juice’”) and the 178-year-old whisky distillery Ben Nevis. For whisky shopping, Joakim highly recommends heading to The Good Spirits Co. at Bath Street.

Whisky lovers, amble over to The Oban Distillery, Scotland’s oldest distillery. “It was a shame I went there when they weren’t doing tours but I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the old-timers, Bill. I sampled a few of their whiskies, which cost about £4 to £6 (S$7 to S$10) a dram,” Joakim says. “My personal favourite was the ‘Oban Distiller’s Edition’.”

Scottish delights: Tuck into the traditional Scottish breakfast (£5.25) — complete with black pudding — at The Counting House.

Joakim suggests a visit to the Mimi’s Bakehouse for a taste of their french toast and maple syrup.

Mimi’s is also well-known for their sweet treats and hot chocolate. Order this Melted Mallow Hot Chocolate filled with lots of marshmallows and cream.

Don’t miss out on the clam chowder and fish and chips at The Waterfront Fishouse Restaurant — a steal at just £13.99 (S$25) for two courses. But the best mea Joakim had in Scotland was the cheap and scrumptious grub at humble-looking joint Mosque Kitchen.

By George: Joakim at the iconic George Square in Glasgow.

Rome has the Colosseum. Obay has the McCaig’s Tower.

A hike up the tower resembling the Roman amphitheatre will gift you with this picture-postcard view of the sleepy fishing town.

Harry Potter fans should visit the Greyfriars Kikyard, the beautifully haunting cemetery where J.K Rowling got inspiration for most of her character names in Harry Potter. When you’re there, see if you can spot Professor McGonagall.

Potter fans may also relish having a cuppa at The Elephant House, where the magic all began. J.K. Rowling, then a struggling single parent, wrote parts of the first book in the back room of this pretty café in Edinburgh. Who knows, budding authors might even find inspiration over coffee and cake here. “Every other café in Edinburgh has a running joke, like, ‘JK Rowling did not write here.’” Joakim muses.

The back room of The Elephant House boasts a killer view of the Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress built on a 700 mil-year-old extinct volcano called Castle Rock. Not pictured: Hordes of tourists.

Joakim says the scenic coastal town of Oban, located on Scotland’s west coast, is one of his favourite spots in the country. We can sea why.

History buffs, hotfoot it to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. And for the rest of us, this beauty that is the museum’s main hall is worth a visit.

The view from on top of Calton Hill.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh for a picturesque piece of serenity at Dean Village.

That must have been what Joakim was feeling as he took in this breath-taking view from Dean Bridge.

Pretend that you are walking through the Great Hall of Hogwarts as you amble down the hallowed hallways of the medieval Glasgow Cathedral.