Designed by local sculptor Andy Scott, the two 30-metre-high horse heads are clad with more than 900 steel platelets manufactured, cut and processed by Outokumpu. Each of the giant gleaming heads weighs more than 300 tons.
Why did Andy Scott create The Kelpies?
However, Scott says the inspiration for his sculptures comes from the heavy horses that once powered Scotland’s canals. His giant horses’ heads form a new gateway into the canal system of central Scotland from the Forth estuary via the River Carron.
What is the origin of The Kelpies?
The origins of the kelpie are believed to be rooted in human sacrifices to the water gods however this concept eventually died out and the story of the kelpie was then used to keep children from playing too near to lochs and dangerous rivers. It also encouraged women to be wary of good looking strangers.
When were kelpies created?
The Kelpies were officially opened by HRH Princess Anne on the 8th July 2015. Now one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions, more than two million people have stood in the shadows of The Kelpies since their construction. No Debug Key available as Do Not Track is enabled. This opens in a new window.
How much did it cost to build The Kelpies?
Andy Scott’s mammoth £5m horse sculpture has just been unveiled in Falkirk. It’s big, bold and bland, but is it really art?
How did they build The Kelpies?
The initial structural design was developed by Atkins who digitally scanned the maquettes to create a virtual 3D model of the two structures. Working from the outside inwards Atkins developed a structural solution for a frame to support the external cladding which was to form the ‘skin’ of the two heads.
What is the kelpie myth?
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.
What 2 dogs make a kelpie?
The kelpie was brought to Australia in the late 1800s from Scotland. They are a herding dog derived from the Scottish smooth collie or farm collie.
Who bred the first kelpie?
“But the fellow who became known as the first kelpie breeder [Jack Gleeson], managed to exchange a horse to get one of these collie offspring because they were meant to be extremely good working dogs.
Where was the first kelpie born?
Casterton
Today, Ardlethan is officially recognised as the “Home of the Australian Kelpie”. Ardlethan shares the honour with Victorian town of Casterton, which is recognised as the ‘Birthplace of the Kelpie’. It’s believed that the first Kelpie was born near Casterton and the refinement of the breed occurred near Ardlethan.
How old is the oldest kelpie?
thirty years old
In the passage below we meet a Victorian kelpie who lived to the ripe old age of ‘at least thirty years old‘. If there’s one thing about dogs and ageing that everyone knows, it’s this: one year of a dog’s life is equivalent to seven human years.
How much do kelpies cost?
The cost of a Kelpie varies enormously. Puppies of pedigree dogs can cost up to $2000 or more.
When was the first kelpie born?
The original ‘Kelpie’ was born in 1871; her parents being a pair of black & tan Collies imported from Scotland by Warrock’s owner George Robertson. Robertson had a policy of not selling females from the stock but had given a pup to his nephew.
Can you get inside The Kelpies?
The only way to get inside a Kelpie is on a Kelpies Tour!
The pinnacle of the tour is that you get to experience a Kelpie from the inside, and see for yourself the breathtaking engineering and design of The Kelpies.
Are The Kelpies lit up every night?
A common question is, do the Kelpies light up at night? The good news, is they do every night! As soon as the sun goes down in the evening, the Kelpies light up in all different colours of the rainbow.
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.
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 material 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.
Where are the mini Kelpies now?
The Kelpie maquettes are on display next to the Scottish Maritime Museum’s Puffers Café on Harbour Street, Irvine, between 10am–5pm daily as part of the Museum’s Sea Monsters!
How can you tell a pure Kelpie?
The absence of white is indicative of the Kelpie breed, however some white on chest and toes is permissible. White paws, legs, broad white chest, white collar and tip of tail generally define kelpies cross-bred with Border Collies.
How old do kelpies live?
between 11 to 16 years
The average Kelpie lifespan is between 11 to 16 years. Like most medium-sized dogs, they are likely to develop complications at middle- age.