Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
The Kelpies
In or near Camelon.
The Kelpies in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
William Starkey — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–2 h
- Nearest railway station
- Falkirk Grahamston · 2.6 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
Getting there & planning your visit
The Kelpies are located in Falkirk, central Scotland, with the nearest railway station being Falkirk Grahamston, approximately 2.6 km away. Entry is free, and the site is wheelchair accessible. The postcode for sat-nav is FK2 7ZT.
About
The Kelpies is a public sculpture in Scotland Central, United Kingdom, dating from 2014. Britain's public art ranges from Henry Moore reclining figures and Anthony Gormley installations to the Angel of the North and the surviving statues of empire.
Photo gallery
Official information
The Kelpies are massive horse-head sculptures located in The Helix park in Falkirk, Scotland. They represent the mythical water spirits and are a significant landmark, offering visitors a chance to explore the surrounding park and learn about the local heritage.
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
- 56.0191, -3.7553
- District
- Falkirk
- Postcode
- FK2 7ZT
- Parliamentary constituency
- Falkirk
- Established
- 2014
- Nearest railway station
- Falkirk Grahamston — 2.6 km
- Official site
- www.thehelix.co.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q16988858 (CC0)
- wikipedia: The Kelpies (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Duke
Public art & sculpture · 0.0 km
Baron
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
Spirit of Scotland
Other places · 0.4 km
Centaur
Public art & sculpture · 0.4 km
The Kelpies
Memorials & monuments · 0.4 km
Glensburgh
Farms (open to visitors) · 0.4 km
M9 motorway
Other places · 0.5 km
The Grange Manor
Hotels · 0.7 km
Skinflats
Natural landmarks · 0.9 km
Human Sun Clock
Other places · 1.0 km
Abbotshaugh Community Woodland
Archaeological sites · 1.1 km
Love and Kisses
Other places · 1.1 km
Nearby
📷 4Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Duke
Duke — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Baron
Baron — Public artwork (sculpture) by Andy Scott.
📷 3Other places · Central Scotland
Spirit of Scotland
Spirit of Scotland — Public artwork (sculpture) by David Powell.
📷 5Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Centaur
Centaur — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
★ Iconic📷 4Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
The Kelpies
Two 30-metre stainless-steel horse-head sculptures — the world's largest equine sculptures.
📷 4Farms (open to visitors) · Central Scotland
Glensburgh
Glensburgh in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near The Kelpies
Places to stay
📷 5Hotels · Central Scotland
The Grange Manor
The Grange Manor — a hotel in scotland central.
📷 7
📷 6
📷 5Hotels · Central Scotland
Glenbervie House Hotel
Glenbervie House Hotel — a hotel in scotland central.
📷 5Campsites · Central Scotland
Wheel Caravan park
Wheel Caravan park — a campsite in scotland central.
📷 5Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Loch House Farm Cavavan Park
Loch House Farm Cavavan Park — a caravan park in scotland central.
Places to eat & drink
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Ye Olde House Inn, 25-26 Forth Street, Kincardine On Forth
Ye Olde House Inn, 25-26 Forth Street, Kincardine On Forth in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Red Lion Inn, Low Causeway, Culross
Red Lion Inn, Low Causeway, Culross in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Dennyloanhead
Dennyloanhead in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
The Crown Arms, 177-179 High Street, Linlithgow
The Crown Arms, 177-179 High Street, Linlithgow in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Red Lion Inn, 50 High Street, Linlithgow
Red Lion Inn, 50 High Street, Linlithgow in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
More places in this region
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Arboreal
Arboreal — Public artwork (poem) by Richard Livermore.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Aspiration
Aspiration — Public artwork (sculpture) by Keith McCarter.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Casting
Casting — Public artwork (poem) by Morgan Downie.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Deserted Village
Deserted Village — Public artwork (poem) by Anne Connolly.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is The Kelpies?
- The Kelpies is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode FK2 7ZT).
- What is The Kelpies?
- The Kelpies in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
- How do I get to The Kelpies?
- The nearest railway station is Falkirk Grahamston, about 2.6 km away. Drivers can use postcode FK2 7ZT.
- When was The Kelpies built?
- Built or established in 2014.
- Who owns The Kelpies?
- The Kelpies is owned by Falkirk Council.
- Is The Kelpies free to visit?
- Yes, The Kelpies is free to enter.
- How do I get to The Kelpies?
- The nearest railway station is Falkirk Grahamston, about 2.6 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode FK2 7ZT.