The Kelpies: why Scotland’s new public art is just a pile of horse poo. Andy Scott’s mammoth £5m horse sculpture has just been unveiled in Falkirk.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=nGUZQUe-Rl0
How much do The Kelpies cost?
But, you can also book a tour through the visitor centre itself too. Tickets cost £7.50 in the summer for adults and £6.50 for concessions and the tours last 30 minutes from April – September.
How long did it take to build The Kelpies?
Construction began in late 2013 and it took just 90 days for 30,000 pieces of this giant puzzle to be painstakingly slotted into place. It was clear from the moment that the first bit of steel was placed in the ground that they would dominate the landscape.
Who funded The Kelpies?
Opened in 2014 as part of the Helix project, the Kelpies were funded using a combination of taxpayers’ money and lottery funds and are under the joint ownership of Falkirk council and Scottish Canals, with Scott retaining all intellectual property rights.
What are the names of the two kelpies?
Modeled on two Clydesdale draft horses named Duke and Baron, these massive metal equines carry the same names and stand 30 meters tall, each weighing some 300 metric tons. It’s difficult to project the scale of these critters until you stand next to them even with a photo like this one.
Why are they called Kelpies?
The Kelpies are named after the mythical water horses said to be in Scottish lochs and rivers. However, Scott says the inspiration for his sculptures comes from the heavy horses that once powered Scotland’s canals.
Do you pay for The Kelpies?
You can visit The Kelpies free of charge any time of the day, 365 days of the year due to their prime location in The Helix park. The area around the massive sculptures has been designed to give access for all, meaning everyone can come and see them up close.
What steel are The Kelpies made of?
For its strength and versatility more than 300 tonnes of Tata Steel’s Celsius 355 hot-finished Structural Hollow Section was provided to create the complex frames that form the dramatic internal structure and were crucial factors in bringing The Kelpies ‘to life’.
Can you stay overnight at The Kelpies?
In fact, you can even stay in The Kelpies car park overnight for a small fee! Located conveniently just off the M9, you can add The Kelpies park to your route stop with minimal disruption.
Who paid for The Falkirk Wheel?
The plan to regenerate central Scotland’s canals and reconnect Glasgow with Edinburgh was led by British Waterways with support and funding from seven local authorities, the Scottish Enterprise Network, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Millennium Commission.
What did Gordon Ramsay say about Falkirk?
Ramsay called the town a “s***hole” when a contestant suggested Falkirk might be of the “five cities in Scotland”. He responded saying: “I was born in Scotland. Falkirk is not a city. It’s a s***hole, I swear to God.”
How much did The Falkirk Wheel cost?
£17.5 million
Costs and prices
The Falkirk Wheel cost £17.5 million, and the restoration project as a whole cost £84.5 million (of which £32 million came from National Lottery funds).
How many kelpies are there?
The Kelpies name reflected the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of ten horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland’s inland waterways.
What are black Kelpies called?
Barb Kelpies
An early Kelpie, Sally, was mated to Moss, a Smooth Collie, and she produced a black pup that was named Barb after The Barb, a black horse which had won the Melbourne Cup in 1866. Consequently, black Kelpies became known as Barb Kelpies or Barbs.
What is a Kelpies weakness?
But there is some good news: a kelpie has a weak spot – its bridle. Anyone who can get hold of a kelpie’s bridle will have command over it and any other kelpie. A captive kelpie is said to have the strength of at least 10 horses and the stamina of many more, and is highly prized.
Are Kelpies Scottish or Irish?
In Scottish folklore, a kelpie is a dangerous shape-shifting water creature that can appear on land as a horse. The kelpie appears to their human victims as a grey or white horse, entices them to ride on their back, then carries them down to a watery grave.
Which is a famous kelpie?
Loch Ness
Loch Ness. Almost every sizeable Scottish body of water has a kelpie story associated with it, but the most widely reported is the kelpie of Loch Ness.
What does kelpie mean in Scottish?
According to Scottish legend, a kelpie is a shape-shifting aquatic spirit, believed to haunt rivers and streams, and often, but not exclusively, taking the form of a horse. Water Kelpie spirits most commonly appear in the form of a horse.
Can you see The Kelpies from the road?
The Kelpies are two giant steel horse heads that are easily visible from a distance while driving the M9 motorway. Standing nearly 100 feet (30 metres) high over the Forth & Clyde Canal, these are actually the largest pair of equine sculptures in the world.
Can you just turn up at The Kelpies?
Opening Hours. The Kelpies are always accessible for a visit. The Kelpies Tours – Tickets are sold on the day from The Visitor Centre at The Helix, but the best way to avoid disappointment is to pre-book your tickets online. You can also contact The Visitor Centre on 01324 590600 for more information.
Can you walk between The Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel?
This short walk connects the stunning tourist attractions of the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies equine structures on the historic Forth & Clyde Canal.