Tuesday 28 July 2015

The Kelpies - "stretch up your long necks to greet the sun"

Since they first rose out of the regenerated industrial landscape of the Helix Park we’d been intending to visit the much talked-about sculptures at the heart of the project.



On a bright day early in the Spring we travelled to meet family and visit the park.  Approaching from one of the car parks, the Kelpies are an astonishing sight….
 






At 30 metres tall, they simply dominate the landscape, towering over their surroundings.







Close to, the scale and ambition of these wonderful horse head sculptures is really impressive.  They face the canal system running through the heart of Scotland and welcome visitors to both the canals and to the Helix.  The intention was to reflect both folklore and the industrial heritage of the area – the Clydesdale horses used as the models for the Kelpies were once the prime movers of the industrial revolution.








Each piece is made up of individual stainless steel panels fastened to an intricate framework. The sculptor, Andy Scott, and the construction firm have done a superb job.








Although architectural and even industrial in scale, there is real grace and intricacy in the design and construction – and realism too.








The panels are sufficiently spaced to allow sunlight to stream through the structure, adding texture.  At night they are floodlit and I’m assured that they are quite a sight looming through the mist alongside the motorway!









In Scottish folklore, a Kelpie is a water-horse; a shape-shifting spirit inhabiting lochs and rivers.  In the sculptures this legend is intertwined with the strong industrial heritage of this part of Scotland.   Sculpted stone panels around the Helix are carved with phrases connected with folklore and with the sculptures – the one which struck me as most appropriate reads “Stretch up your long necks to greet the sun”








Scotland, and particularly the Stirling/Falkirk/Clackmannanshire area has been gaining a reputation as the home of some great recent works public sculpture.  There’s the elegant “Arria” (also designed by Andy Scott) alongside the M80 between Glasgow and Stirling, the many sculptures on traffic roundabouts through the “Wee County” of Clackmannanshire and now the jewel in the crown, the Kelpies







The Kelpies are a real achievement and are becoming, rightly, a great attraction.  But there’s more…..  the stretching of the necks, the latent power and the scale of these works is something for the Falkirk area and the whole of Scotland to be proud of.  

We'll certainly visit again!

10 comments:

  1. Although we've just seen them from the motorway, they are simply stunning, Ian. We spent twenty-one years in Alberta, "cowboy country" and the home of the Calgary Stampede - they would be MOST impressed! A visit is on our list. Warm wishes. Duncan.

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  2. Very well worth a visit Duncan :-)

    warm wishes

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  3. Nice photographs Ian. The Helix park is interesting with miles of cycle tracks radiating from its hub. I was cycling there in the spring. 14th century Callendar House in Falkirk is also worthwhile. I'm back to being a kelpie myself as I've just acquired two bargain bin inflatable kayaks after a long spell away from the water. I'll be looking through your back archives for new local places to paddle.Easy rivers,lochs and sheltered waters only though.

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    1. Thanks Bob, I really must take some time to explore more of the Helix - there really does seem to be a real regeneration going on there. welcome back to the water - hope to see you out soon! :-)

      Kind Regards

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  4. They are a favourite of mine. I'm always watching cars ahead on the approach though as they do cause the odd swerve among those not aware of their presence yet.

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    1. Hi JC, I bet there are - particularly when they're lit up red on a misty autumnal evening!

      Kind regards

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  5. Hi Ian, best set of Kelpie photos I have seen! :o)

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  6. Thank you Douglas - they're a super subject! :o)

    Kind Regards

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  7. Sorry Ian, catching up with some posts I've missed during my blog break.
    This is an amazing set of images here with quality text and a sky I would love to have as a backdrop.

    Visited them three times now usually on a passing lunch stop. The weather was probably only half decent for photographs on the second occasion. The night time option whets my appetite but I'm not sure how I'm going to execute that.

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    1. Welcome back J, and thanks for your kind words. We were lucky to visit on a cracker of a day - I'd love to try for some evening shots too!

      Kind Regards

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