I may live as far away from Glasgow as I possibly can and still be considered to living in Scotland, but the Commonwealth Games have touched our rural island village in the middle of the north sea.
On the 1st of July the Queen’s Baton Relay came to our village. The buzz on the day was immense, aided by the fact the sun shone brightly on us all and it was the warmest day of the year so far. It was glorious!
A marquis had been set up on the football pitch at the local school and music was blaring out of the speakers while they waited for the baton to arrive. It’s not every day the school children (and teachers) get to have a disco on the football pitch!
The local village hall was serving hot dogs, home bakes and drinks, so our youngest and I headed there after nursery for a spot of lunch.
While we were sitting in the lounge area enjoying our snacks, we admired the artwork on the walls done by the local school children. There were painted paper flags of all the Commonwealth countries and a large fabric Commonwealth Games 2014 flag on the wall just across the wall from where I was sitting.
As I looked at that flag an idea formed. I had a 5 colour multi-pack of Renshaw Decor-ice ready to roll icing in primary colours in my cupboard. I’d filled out one of their surveys awhile back and was sent this packet of icing as a thank you. The colours in the packet were the same colours on this flag. I was going to make a cake using this flag as inspiration!
The plan for the day was that the baton would arrive at 1:05 pm sharp by the village shop, make its way through the village to the school football pitch and then down to Britain’s most northerly lifeboat station. From there the lifeboat, Charlies Lidbury, would transport the baton, its bearer and attendants, to the most northerly destination of the baton’s travels up at Brae, up the voe.
There was a relief lifeboat in the village as our own was due to head to Inverness for upgrading, so the second lifeboat was to carry us media folk. I am the volunteer Press Officer at this station, so I went along with my video camera.
We had a fantastic journey across the voe, the sun shining down, the salt sea spray on our faces, the wind in our hair. I can’t emphasise how much I enjoy being out on the water.
No sooner had we arrived in Brae and the baton attendants were disembarking did the lifeboat pagers go off! A yacht following behind the lifeboats had grounded itself on a sandbank just a few minutes away. Everything was caught on video, so check out all the action below.
It was an absolutely fantastic day and I was glad to be a part of it.
This is not the only time I’ve been involved in the Commonwealth Games 2014 celebrations somehow. Several months ago I was contacted by photographer Arpita Shah. She’d been commissioned to take a series of family portraits of families living in Scotland with cultural roots in other Commonwealth countries. I’m an ex-pat Canadian and Arpita found me through my blog.
Several weeks later she arrived in Shetland to photograph us all in our home as well as a family just a few minutes down the road from us where the husband comes from Tanzania.
A selection of the family portraits Arpita took (including ours) can be seen in the Trongate 103 gallery in Glasgow until the 24th of August and they also form part of Street Level Photoworks city-wide project: Commonwealth Family Album. These images are on display on outdoor walls around the city, including Glasgow Green until August 3rd.
Street Level Photoworks describes the project as celebrating Scotland’s links to the Commonwealth, visually representing how migration between these countries has shaped the national and cultural identity of contemporary Scotland.
Well, I’ve seen our portrait and I must say the years have not been kind. I am clearly not ageing well and that will be the last time a camera will be pointed in my direction. I’ve always been camera shy, but if you see my image you will understand why! I don’t really look like that, do I!? <cringe>
Nonetheless, it’s an honour to be part of the project and it was lovely meeting the fantastic Arpita and her partner.
So, moving on to the cake!
My Commonwealth Games 2014 Celebration Cake consists of a basic vanilla sponge sandwiched together with a generous quantity of butter frosting flavoured with .. Irn Bru! Irn Bru is Scotland’s most famous fizzy drink and it was the first thing that sprang to mind when I was thinking about how to make the cake Scottish (haggis just wouldn’t do!). The bright orange beverage gives the frosting a mild Irn Bru flavour, complimenting the vanilla sponge well.
Inspired by the children’s Commonwealth Games flag above I decorated the cake with 1 cm strips of coloured ready to roll icing, pressing them into the butter frosting. It’s not a perfect looking cake, but it tastes fantastic and it’s got a story behind it, so I am sharing it with you all.
We stayed up late watching the Opening Ceremony last night – I thoroughly enjoyed every cheesy minute of it and was glad Shetland got a wee mention. We watched the baton arrive in Glasgow on the water-plane and after I explained to DD (who stayed up late to watch the opening ceremony with me) that it was the same baton that was in our village she quietly confessed: “Mum when the baton was here I got to touch it.” <shy grin>
Did you watch the opening ceremony? What did you think?
Commonwealth Games 2014 Celebration Cake with Irn Bru Butter Icing
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Sponge
- 250 grams unsalted butter room temperature
- 250 grams caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 250 grams self-raising flour sifted
- pinch salt
- 2 tbsp full fat milk
For the Irn Bru Butter Icing
- 250 grams unsalted butter room temperature
- 650 grams icing sugar sieved
- 2-3 tbsp Irn Bru
- ready to roll icing to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C. Grease and line two 20.5 cm tins.
- Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add a spoonful of flour with the last egg to prevent curdling.
- Stir in the vanilla. Sift in the remaining flour and salt and fold gently to combine.
- Add enough milk to make a soft, dropping consistency.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared tins and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cakes will be a lovely golden colour and coming away from the sides of the tin when ready.
- Turn out onto a wire rack to coll completely.
- To prepare the Irn Bru butter icing, combine the butter and sugar together in a food processor and beat well until light and fluffy. Add the Irn Bru until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Sandwich the two cakes together with the icing and use the rest of cover. Decorate with 1 cm strips of coloured ready-to-roll icing in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games logo, if desired.
Have you seen this Irn Bru Pulled Pork from Aberdeen-based food blogger Foodie Quine – genius!
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Maya Russell says
Interesting post. I’ve never had Irn Bru.
Pam Francis Gregory says
Nothing more Scottish than Irn-Bru!
bev says
Looks fab!
Heather Haigh says
Iron bru frosting – wow – you are so creative!
Heather Haigh recently posted…Review – I love this Mason Cash Pestle and Mortar!
Emily @amummytoo says
That is just lovely! Really clever design, really well executed. Thanks for linking up to #recipeoftheweek – sorry I’m a bit late over! Have Pinned this post and scheduled in a tweet. New linky just went live for this week 🙂 x
Emily @amummytoo recently posted…Garlic romance + #recipeoftheweek Aug 2-8
Alison says
Love this cake, it is ideal for the games. It looked like a fabulous day when the baton came
Alison recently posted…Summer Sorted and Pitta Pizzas
Johanna GGG says
fantastic cake and fantastic story – I remember when we had the commonwealth games in Melbourne and it was fantastic with all the cultural events going on – even though I am not a sport lover – sadly I am not an early riser and didn’t get up for the opening ceremony (actually I didn’t know it was on till later because I haven’t followed what was going on with the games!) But I love the idea of irn bru in the icing and the cake look great
Johanna GGG recently posted…Christmas in July smoky cheese and barley nut roast
Holly Nelson says
I would never have thought to use irn bru in frosting!!
We watched the Queen at the opening of the games. We live in the commonwealth, but it isn’t really that big a deal here. Canada is more a winter sports type of place!
Holly Nelson recently posted…New recipe: Spicy lime salmon
Elizabeth says
I remember winter sports on the telly in Canada – getting frustrated because the Sunday night Disney movie was postponed because of hockey! I’ve always been more of a playing the sport rather than watching other people do it on telly person, but I did enjoy the opening ceremony. The Queen looked rather bored, sometimes, didn’t she – and she had no idea what to do with that heather posy!
Elizabeth recently posted…BritMums Live 2014 – A Trip to London
Christine says
The baton relay sounds like a great day. The cake looks yummy but being a southerner I’m not so sure about the Irn Bru icing!
Christine recently posted…Campsite review: Henry’s campsite, Lizard, Cornwall
Elizabeth says
It really was a fantastic day; such a wonderful atmosphere (and the nice weather helped!)
Elizabeth recently posted…Chocolate Orange Camp-fire Cake
Kavey says
Food is always a great way to celebrate! Lovely colourful logo to emulate!
Kavey recently posted…Courgette, Goat’s Cheese & Mint Frittata
Elizabeth says
I absolutely agree! Inspiration can be drawn from so many places too.
Elizabeth recently posted…Chocolate Orange Camp-fire Cake
Urvashi@BotanicalBaker says
How fantastic and what a wonderful experience to treasure for the little ones. I do love the idea of irn bru icing too! Must give it a try
Urvashi@BotanicalBaker recently posted…Magical Purple Mange Tout
Elizabeth says
Yes the children were rather impressed. DD insisted there had to be writing, hence the 2014 in black on the side.
Elizabeth recently posted…Chocolate Orange Camp-fire Cake
kellie@foodtoglow says
What a brilliant day, cake and occasion! I will try and get through to Glasgow and see the portraits. Such a fun cake 🙂
Elizabeth says
There are some fantastic portraits in the collection, I’ve seen online. Ours isn’t one of them!
Elizabeth recently posted…J is for… Jelly Sweets #AlphabetPhoto
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
That cake looks really good!
I did watch the opening ceremony and loved it. I was amazed at how many countries are in the Commonwealth.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Healthy Chocolate Orange Brownie Squares
Elizabeth says
Thanks Danni 🙂 There are quite a few countries, aren’t there!
Elizabeth recently posted…I is for… Iron Age
Sally - My Custard Pie says
My sister sent texts of the highlights while I watched something else. I was in stitches. Actually it did sound brilliant and very, very Scottish. Saw Nicola Benedetti earlier this month – she’s amazing. Grew up in a rural village so this reminded me a lot of my childhood.
Sally – My Custard Pie recently posted…Fabulous fish – learning what to do with it
Elizabeth says
It was a rather unusual opening ceremony – very entertaining though 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…BritMums Live 2014 – A Trip to London
Honey says
That cake looks yummy! You are so good at cooking Elizabeth. I really enjoy reading all your posts and recipes. Your blog is FAB! xxx
Honey recently posted…Silent Sunday
Elizabeth says
Aw thank you for your lovely kind words! I am plagued with self-doubt – sometimes I think I’m creating something pretty good and other times I think I’m not, so lovely comments like yours help keep me in the positive camp 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…BritMums Live 2014 – A Trip to London
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet says
It sounds like you’re having a jolly good time celebrating the Commonwealth Games up there, and why not? Yikes, I’ve never had Irn Bru but I’d like to try it sometime. Putting it in icing sounds like a grand idea.
Elizabeth says
We certainly have been! I haven’t had an Irn Bru in years, truth be told, and although it was fine enough in the frosting I struggled to drink the rest of the tin. It does have a rather unique flavour!
Elizabeth recently posted…Chocolate Orange Camp-fire Cake