The world’s only rotating boat lift has received a Willy Wonka style makeover as Scottish Canals prepare to enter The Falkirk Wheel into Cake Fest Scotland as part of ongoing celebrations for the 2016 Year of Innovation Architecture and Design.
The 35-metre-tall engineering marvel has been recreated by Scottish Canals and local chocolatier Michael Maley in a scale chocolate model which sits 22 truffles high and carries chocolate renditions of The Falkirk Wheel’s recently refurbished trip boats Antonine and Archimedes.
The model even features a chocolate nod to the Kelpies maquettes which are stabled at The Falkirk Wheel.
Whilst the trip boats and The Wheel itself are made out of over 10kg of Maley’s delicious dark and white chocolate The Wheel’s basin and surroundings have been lovingly constructed from 8kg of fruit, 14kg of sugar and flour and 40 eggs all hand mixed by one of The Falkirk Wheel’s very own Boat Crew, Lauren Hendrie.
Topping the 1m x 50cm fruitcake is 1kg of marzipan and 1500g of icing fondant which has been used to recreate the some of The Wheel’s attractions including the newly added bumper boats, WaterWalkerz, electric boats and ice cream hut.
The structure also incorporates the ‘Flavour of Falkirk’ with 60 handmade ‘Falkirk Fancies’. The sweet treats feature IRN-BRU flavour milk chocolate with a whisky flavour ganache and highland toffee and whisky caramel centre – all flavours synonymous with the Falkirk area.
The ‘Falkirk Fancy’ was thought-up by local resident Louisa Liddell who entered Scottish Canals’ #flavouroffalkirk competition for a chance to create her own chocolate under the guidance of Michael, who also hand crafted the 22 different chocolate components to make up The Wheel and trip boats.
Visitors to The Falkirk Wheel on Friday (9th September) will get a chance to see this one of a kind celebration of The Falkirk Wheel before it makes the journey to Cake Fest (Sunday 11th September).
Steve Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Canals, said: “We’re delighted to get involved with the Festival of Architecture Cake Fest as part of the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.
“The Falkirk Wheel is an engineering marvel; it’s iconic, recognisable around the world and it seemed fitting that it would feature on any map – even one comprised of cake!
“Throughout the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, we’ve invited people from all over the world to capture their #CanalMagic and help us celebrate everything that makes the nation’s canal network special.
“From selfies at Neptune’s Mirror, to breathtaking shots capturing the beauty of the Crinan Canal and videos of athletes competing in the world’s only uphill swimming competition – Red Bull Neptunes Steps – we’ve created a gallery which showcases the many magical experiences to be found on Scotland’s canals.”