The UK’s first ever edible boat race gets underway at Eyemouth beach on Wednesday 23 July.

The competition is the brainchild of the Eyemouth Herring Queen (EHQ) Committee and the St Abb’s & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve (VMR).

The competition is open to all ages, and entrants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, using all their ingenuity to design and build their own boat. The vessels can be any size, but must be made entirely out of edible materials, including whatever holds the craft together. The vessels will be judged on their design and inventiveness, as well as the crucial test of seaworthiness. The winning boat is the one that stays afloat longest.

Liza Cole, National Trust for Scotland Ranger for the Marine Reserve, explains how this rather off-the-wall event has come into being.

“Earlier this year the Herring Queen Committee approached me asking for advice on an idea they had had for an event for the festival - a paper boat release. Being proud of the high quality of the local marine environment, with the inshore waters being designated Scotland’s first Marine Reserve in 1984, they thought they would check to see what I thought of the event taking place in the Reserve.”

“I was really pleased that the Committee had thought laterally rather than just going for a balloon release, as these result in burst balloons littering our beaches and choking marine wildlife. However, I had reservations as paper only biodegrades in seawater very slowly, and I had visions of incoming tides of paper mache! So, it was my turn to think laterally, and that’s when I came up with the idea of an edible boat race.”

“I have put the word out with all my contacts around the country and as far as I am aware there has never been a boat race of this kind before. So we will be making history as well as having a bit of ecologically-friendly fun!”

Contact Liza for more information – 01890 771443, e-mail lcole@nts.org.uk.