A few weeks ago I discovered my OH was going up to Falkirk in Scotland with work, staying overnight as it’s about 200 miles away. It just happened to be 2 miles from where a close friend from schooldays lives. It was too good an opportunity to miss. I did a three way swop with my shifts at work, organised dog care and on Thursday we drove up to Falkirk!
I had a great time catching up with my friend and her OH. On Friday we walked to see the Kelpies, about a two mile walk each way with a coffee shop on the middle and a pub at the end!!
The Kelpies are 30m high statues of horse heads, based on the Clydesdale heavy horses. They were designed by Andy Scott, apparently the horse in the Trinity Centre in Leeds is by the same designer. Kelpies are a mythical beast which don’t sound very nice, but they represent the horses used in heavy industry in Scotland in the past together with the transformative nature of the area (have a look on Wikipedia for a more detailed explanation!)
Having seen lots of photos on facebook over the years, I’ve wanted to see them for ages, I wasn’t disappointed…
It was a nice gentle walk to the Kelpies, we passed a sundial, you stand on the month and your shadow tells the time with two rings of time for winter or summertime. Unfortunately we had no sun!
We walked along the bank of the tidal river Carron, watching a pair of swans along the way in a nearby pond…
We also admired Ian’s bridge…
The Kelpies are situated next to the canal, we walked across one of the lock bridges which brought back memories of our holiday on the Leeds Liverpool canal as they are similar heavy locks…
The Kelpies are stunning, they change by the minute as the light changes.
They look different from every angle too..
It wasn’t particularly sunny when we arrived, though it looked like it would burn through soon, so we went for a coffee and a scone..
When we came out it was quite misty, but it made the Kelpies look quite ethereal.
It was lovely to catch up with my friends and wonderful to see the Kelpies, if you’re vaguely in the area they are worth a detour!
thecraftycreek 
Wow, those Kelpies look amazing and you’ve managed to take some great photos of them.
Your post reminded me that I was in the Six called ‘Kelpies’ when I was a Brownie. My little badge didn’t look anything like a horse but I just looked it up, out of interest and nostalgia, and it’s a little impish sprite. Being a Kelpie represents a ‘smart and quick and ready helper’. Those were the days…..
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I was a leprechaun!! Apparently the Kelpies are mythical sea horses which once you touch them you can’t let go and they drag you under – delightful!!
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Ooer 😮
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They look amazing. We were passing through Ardrishaig in November and they had the maquettes there. I saw them but we couldn’t stop. I was rather miffed!
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They’re worth a detour!
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I have only seen pictures of them, and they look well worth a visit. I think they look better through the mist in your picture than in anything else I have seen before.
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I do like the misty photo 🙂
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Grand, aren’t they! So glad you had a good day for it (ie not raining). There was a whole programme on TV about how they were made on the Beeb back in 2015 (I think), which is available on YouTube and well worth finding. Speaking of the BBC, go to BBC.co.uk/news/Scotland and you’ll see they publish photos of Scotland every week (not always taken by Scots, either)… you should send that ethereal pic. Honestly!
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They’re stunning! I’ll have a look on youtube. I’ve sent the photo to the beeb so we’ll see what happens 🙂
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I’ll look forward to seeing it on Friday! 🙂
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I love getting to see your part of the country via your posts….this trip was truly magical with those Kelpies. I must admit I never heard of them so this was an educational treat for me 🙂
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The first time I ever saw them we were driving along the M8 (I think) about 10.30 at night and its was pouring with rain and pitch black. Suddenly these two giant horses heads all lit up appeared to be looking at us over the fence at us. Of course the following day we had to go and take a closer look at them. They are wonderful at any time but lit up at night they are truly magical, xxx
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I’ve seen photos of them lit up and they do look amazing.
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Wow! Margaret, thanks for another educational and great bit about your part of the world! 🙂
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What magnificent sculptures. I had never heard about them. If ever I was to be in Scotland I would sure like to see them. I had never even heard the word Kelpie. I do learn a lot on the net.
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This makes Scotland move up to the top of my bucket list. Beautiful 😍!!
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Great pictures
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One of my favourite places to visit when we are in Scotland.
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Their wonderful! So enjoyed seeing your photos.
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Nice pictures…you captured several different Kelpie moods. The Kelpies are on our list of things to see the next time we are in Britain.
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I didn’t know about these Kelpies either. Your photos are wonderful. They must be something to see indeed. {sigh}
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