Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
The Kelpies
Two 30-metre stainless-steel horse-head sculptures — the world's largest equine sculptures.
Jim Smillie — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 min–45 min
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
About
The Kelpies are the 30-metre stainless-steel horse-head sculptures at Helix Park near Falkirk, designed by Andy Scott and unveiled in 2014 — the largest equine sculptures in the world. Inspired by the heavy-horse breeds that towed barges along the Forth & Clyde Canal, and named for the shape-shifting water spirits of Scottish folklore, the heads stand at the eastern end of the canal where it meets the new Helix lagoon. Free to visit; behind-the-hood tours give access inside the steel structures.
Photo gallery
From the Wikipedia article
The Kelpies are a pair of monumental steel horse-heads between the Scottish towns of Falkirk and Grangemouth. They stand next to the M9 motorway and form the eastern gateway of the Forth and Clyde Canal, which meets the River Carron here. Each head is 30 metres (98 ft) high and 300 tonnes (47,000 st) The sculptures, which represent kelpies, were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. An unveiling ceremony took place in April 2014. Around the sculptures is an area of parkland known as The Helix.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The name was chosen by Scottish Canals at the inception of The Helix project in 2005, to reflect the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of ten horses. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges, and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of the Falkirk area. According to sculptor Andy Scott, "The original concept of mythical water horses was a valid starting point for the artistic development of the structures." He also said that he "took that concept and moved with it towards a more equine and contemporary response, shifting from any mythological references towards a…
Architecture
Built of structural steel with a stainless steel cladding, The Kelpies are 30 m high and weigh 300 tonnes each. Construction began in June 2013 and was complete by October 2013. A topping out ceremony was held on 27 November 2013. The Kelpies are positioned either side of a specially constructed lock and basin, part of the redeveloped Kelpies Hub. The forms are inspired by Clydesdale (draught) horses.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 56.0153, -3.7544
- District
- Falkirk
- Postcode
- FK3 8YE
- Parliamentary constituency
- Falkirk
- Official site
- www.thehelix.co.uk
Sources
- manual: the-kelpies (manual)
- wikipedia: The Kelpies (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Featured in these 2 guides
Itinerary
Weird and wonderful Britain: 12 oddities
Chalk giants, follies, marble mountains and a 4-million-shell underground passage.
Itinerary
Scotland's eccentrics: pineapples, kelpies and lawnmower-shaped towns
The unexpected side of Scotland's heritage — folly architecture and modernist sculpture in equal measure.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is The Kelpies?
- The Kelpies is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode FK3 8YE).
- When was The Kelpies built?
- Dates from the modern period. Designed by Andy Scott.
- Is The Kelpies free to visit?
- Yes, The Kelpies is free to enter.
- How do I get to The Kelpies?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode FK3 8YE. It sits within the Falkirk parliamentary constituency.