Andy Scott, who designed the £7 million public artwork, holds the copyright to the two 30m steel horse’s heads, thought to be the largest of their kind in the world.
How much does it cost to visit 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.
How long did it take to build The Kelpies?
90 days
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.
Why did they build The Kelpies?
It was felt that the entrance to the canal needed a dramatic feature to welcome visitors and the idea of the Kelpies was born. Designed by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott the Kelpies are inspired by the working heavy horses such as Clydesdales who played a key role in Scotland’s industrial heritage.
What are the names of the two Kelpies?
What are The Kelpies names? Duke and Baron, who were real-life working Clydesdale horses. They even came for the opening ceremony in 2013! Andy Scott modelled the horse heads after them and they are from Pollok Country Park.
Can you climb inside The Kelpies?
The only way to get inside a Kelpie is on a Kelpies Tour!
Come and see the world’s largest equine sculptures up close and go inside to marvel at the complexity and engineering which created these fantastic pieces of art.
How much does it cost to take a boat on the Falkirk Wheel?
Adult £13.50. Concession £12.00 (anyone over 60, holding an Access Card, full time Student or Falkirk Council Tax Payer. We may ask to see proof of age or status)
Are kelpies Scottish or Irish?
A kelpie is a shape-changing aquatic spirit of Scottish legend. Its name may derive from the Scottish Gaelic words ‘cailpeach’ or ‘colpach’, meaning heifer or colt. Kelpies are said to haunt rivers and streams, usually in the shape of a horse.
Why are The Kelpies so called?
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.
How do you tell if a horse is a kelpie?
The kelpie is usually described as a powerful and beautiful black horse inhabiting the deep pools of rivers and streams of Scotland, preying on any humans it encounters, One of the water-kelpie’s common identifying characteristics is that its hooves are reversed as compared to those of a normal horse, a trait also
What metal are The Kelpies made of?
Towering above the Forth & Clyde Canal, The Kelpies are a feat of engineering, each made with 300 tonnes of structural steel, and are a monumental tribute to the horse power heritage that was vital to the early industries of central Scotland.
Are The Kelpies unicorns?
What is the difference between a Unicorn and a Kelpie? As well as the unicorn, the Kelpie is an integral part of Scottish folklore and although it is horse-like much like the unicorn, there are subtle differences. The Kelpie is in fact an evil water-spirit which has anciently haunted Scotland’s lochs and lakes.
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.
Do kelpies have dingo DNA?
Researchers at the University of Sydney have found no genetic evidence that the iconic Australian kelpie shares canine ancestry with a dingo, despite Australian bush myth.
What breed of horse is a kelpie?
Kelpie is a water horse spirit of Scottish myth, they are capable of shape-shifting. They inhabit the Lochs and pools of Scotland. It is described to look like a horse, but can take a human form.
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.
How long is The Kelpies walk?
Get to know this 1.8-km out-and-back trail near Grangemouth, Falkirk. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 21 min to complete. This is a popular trail for walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
Do the Falkirk kelpies move?
No they don’t move but you can do a guided tour and go inside them.
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.
Did the Queen open the Falkirk Wheel?
The monarch’s next visit to Falkirk wasn’t until 1985 when, despite heavy rain, people turned out in their hundreds when she officially opened the new Mariner Sports Centre in Camelon. Both the Queen and Prince Philip were back in May 2002, for the opening of the Falkirk Wheel.