The Kelpies are two massive, steel horse-head sculptures located in The Helix, a parkland project connecting 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area of Stirlingshire. Towering 30 meters high, these statues are the largest equine sculptures in the world and are a truly iconic landmark.
The sculptures are based on Clydesdale horses that were used extensively for heavy farming and industrial work in the 18th and 19th centuries, but they also represent water kelpies which are prevalent in Scottish mythology.
| Address: | The Helix, Falkirk, FK2 7ZT |
| Opening Hours: | Kelpies are open 24/7 The visitor centre is open from 09:30 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week |
| Admission Price: | Free |
| Parking: | Free parking is available at the Helix Park car park and also at Falkirk Stadium |
| Contact: | 01324 590600 community@thehelix.co.uk |
| Facilities: | Cafe, gift shop, toilets, disabled access, play area, baby changing, picnic area |
Overview
The Kelpies are two monumental horse-head sculptures in Helix Park, located between Falkirk and Grangemouth, that signify Scotland’s industrial heritage. These steel marvels symbolize the transformational and enduring qualities of the waterways and horse-drawn barges that were pivotal in early industrial Scotland. They’ve become iconic landmarks since opening in 2013, attracting visitors worldwide.
If you’ve ever driven along the M9 motorway you can’t have failed to see the two enormous metallic horse heads rising up from the side of the road close to where the motorway crosses the River Carron. These equine marvels are Scotland’s celebration of a bygone era of horse-drawn barges that served the nation’s industrial plants for well over one hundred years.
Although Clydesdale’s (the breed of horse) are no longer a sight on the canals, you can at least enjoy the spectacle of the world’s largest horse sculptures when you visit them at Helix Park. It’s not quite accurate to say these sculptures are of Clydesdale horses though, rather that they were inspired by Scotland’s earliest form of heavy transport.
What the sculptures are actually showing are kelpies – mythical Scottish water horses that had the strength and endurance of ten normal horses. I guess that’s a good analogy for the strength of Scotland’s heavy industry back when the giant horses used to pull their massive loads along those canals.
The only way to truly appreciate the size of the sculptures is to stand under them. They tower a full 30 metres overhead and are covered in steel plates that are formed from irregular rectangular shapes. At night, floodlights play across the surface of the two horses and they almost appear to move if you catch them at the right angle.
The two sculptures stand in a custom-built extension of the Forth and Clyde Canal near Falkirk, and the 300-tonne artworks have become a major tourist attraction since opening in 2013.
Both heads can be walked around in just a few minutes but there are so many photo opportunities you’re guaranteed to spend at least 30 minutes at the site. You can wander around them on your own or you can book a guided tour, with the tour allowing you to go inside the heads to marvel at the complexity of the steel frame before heading over to the visitor centre for lunch in the café.
Although The Kelpies aren’t going to keep you busy all day – more like an hour at the most – they can be combined with a visit to the nearby Helix Park to easily last a full afternoon. Perhaps more importantly, because Stirling is only a half-hour drive away you can easily include this attraction with a visit to the city.
The Highlights
1: The Kelpies are the world’s largest equine sculptures, representing the heavy horses that once powered the country’s industry and economy. Designed by artist Andy Scott, the steel sculptures are an architectural marvel and a must-visit for photographers.
2: The Kelpies are an impressive sight during daylight, but they transform into a magical spectacle at night when they’re illuminated. The light show reveals another facet of the sculptures, creating a dramatic effect that’s unlike anything else in Scotland.
3: The attraction is completely free to visit unless you want to take part in the tour. There are a couple of on-site shops if you want mementoes and snacks, as well as a picnic area, a kid’s play area, and canal-side walking trails.
Visiting Tips
1: You can take a guided tour around the kelpies which includes a description of the mythology behind the artworks followed by a look inside the structures.
2: Take a walk through Helix Park after you’ve visited The Kelpies. The park is enormous and is a great place to let the kids run around and burn off energy. Highlights of Helix park are its playpark and boating lake.
3: If you want to see another attraction that celebrates Scotland’s canals check out the nearby Falkirk Wheel. This is the world’s only rotating boat lift and serves as a connector between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.
Tourist Information
During a visit to the Kelpies you’re free to walk around the site at your own pace, but if you want a deeper understanding of the sculptures there’s a 30-minute guided tour that explains their history, how they were manufactured, and the significance that horses had to the industrial development of Scotland.
The canals around the site are perfect for walks thanks to several canalside footpaths, and the nearby Helix Park is home to a network of paths that are suitable for all ages and abilities.
The Helix is an area of Falkirk that links 16 communities by a network of canals and includes a large area of urban parkland that features a lagoon and several children’s play areas. The entire park covers an impressive 860 acres and contains over 17 miles of cycleways and footpaths, so if you’re stuck for something to do I’d say a visit there is highly recommended, especially if you take a bike.
History
Completed in 2013, The Kelpies celebrate the lineage of the heavy horses that towed barges up and down Scottish canals for most of the 19th century.
In ancient Scottish mythology, kelpies are sea horses that have the strength and stamina of ten normal horses, and it’s this quality that prompted artist Andy Scott to recreate them in steel to represent the power and endurance of Scotland’s waterways and heavy industry.
Before the creation of the main sculptures at Helix Park the artist created two miniature three-metre-high versions in his studio so that any design flaws could be spotted before work started on the ‘real’ artworks. You can see two of these mini sculptures at The Kelpie’s sister site The Falkirk Wheel.
Things to Do
Helix Park: Explore the 350-hectare parkland of Helix Park. The park is one of the most popular outdoor spaces in the Falkirk area, especially for walkers and cyclists who can enjoy over 16 miles of pathways before taking a welcome break in the plaza cafe near the Helix Park pond.
Kelpies Sculpture Visit: Marvel at the towering Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures. Standing 30 meters high, these stunning structures represent the lineage of the heavy horses that used to transport goods along Scotland’s network of canals. For a small fee, you can also join a guided tour to learn about the fascinating story behind these sculptures.
Boat Trips on the Forth and Clyde Canal: Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Forth and Clyde Canal that passes by the Kelpies. This unique waterway offers you the opportunity to see the Kelpies from a different perspective and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surrounding landscape.
Play at the Adventure Zone: If you’re travelling with children, visit the Adventure Zone playground within Helix Park. This well-equipped playground offers a variety of fun and interactive rope swings and climbing frames that will keep the wee ones entertained for hours on end.
Picnic at the Lagoon: Pack a picnic and enjoy an alfresco meal by the lagoon in the park. Surrounded by lawns and woodland, this is the perfect spot to relax while the kids play. Don’t forget to stay until dusk to catch the Kelpies illuminated in a dazzling array of colours.
Things to Do Nearby
The Falkirk Wheel. Lime Rd, Falkirk FK1 4RS. 13-minute drive.
An innovative rotating boat lift that connects the Forth and Clyde canals. Visitors can ride the lift and learn how it was made in the visitor centre. The nearby Scottish Segway Centre offers off-road tours to a Roman fortress.
Helix Park. The Helix, Falkirk, Grangemouth FK2 7ZT. 1-minute walk.
Helix Park is a large recreation area outside Falkirk that features a network of cycleways, canal-side walkways, a large pond with water sports activities and a café.
Callendar House. Callendar Rd, Falkirk FK1 1YR. 11-minute drive.
14th-century Scottish baronial country house complete with a working Georgian kitchen, a children’s play park, a picnic area, permanent exhibitions and a tearoom. The grounds include part of the Antonine Wall.
Falkirk. 8-minute drive.
Falkirk is a large town in central Scotland that offers a wide variety of shops, pubs and restaurants in a traditional high street. There are a number of historic landmarks in the town centre including the Falkirk Steeple and the Tattie Kirk as well as two modern shopping centres – Howgate and Callendar.
Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre. Glasgow Road, Whins Of Milton, Stirling FK7 0LJ. 16-minute drive.
Visitor centre with interactive exhibits that depict the famous battle of 1314. Learn about Robert the Bruce before seeing the actual battlefield. Café and gift shop on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the sculptor of The Kelpies?
The sculptor of The Kelpies artworks in Helix Park near Falkirk was artist Andy Scott. The Glaswegian artist spent 8 years on the project.
What are the names of the two kelpies?
The Kelpies artworks near the Forth and Clyde Canal are based on two real-life Clydesdale horses called Duke and Baron.
How much did The Kelpies cost?
The Kelpies were commissioned as part of the project that regenerated Helix Park in Central Scotland. The entire project cost £43 million, which includes a £25 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
How long did it take to build The Kelpies?
Construction of The Kelpies took 90 days, but the entire duration of the project from conception to opening took 3,285 days. The build began in late 2013.
Where are The Kelpies?
From Edinburgh – take the M9 towards Stirling, exit at Junction 5 for Falkirk/Grangemouth and then follow the brown tourism signs to ‘Helix Park and Kelpies’
From Glasgow – take the M80 towards Stirling, exit at Junction 8 for M876 and join M9, exit at Junction 6 for Falkirk/Grangemouth and then follow the brown tourism signs to ‘Helix Park and Kelpies’.
