The Kelpies: Scotland’s 100 ft Horse-Head Sculptures

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Lighting test for the The Kelpies ...A lighting test is carried out on the Kelpies in Falkirk ahead of their official opening to the public later this month. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 7, 2014. Designed by sculptor Andy Scott each of The Kelpies stands up to 30 metres tall and each one weighs over 300 tonnes. They are constructed of structural steel with a stainless steel outer skin, they pay homage to the tradition of working horses of Scotland which used to pull barges along Scotland's canals. They stand at the entrance to the North Sea at the Forth and Clyde canal. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

The Kelpies are two 30 metre (100 ft) high horse-head sculptures located at the Forth and Clyde Canal in The Helix, a 350 hectare parkland project built to connect 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area of Scotland. They are the largest public artworks in Scotland.

The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. The Kelpies are a monument to the horse powered heritage across Scotland.

The kelpie is a supernatural water horse from Celtic folklore, possessing the strength and endurance of 10 horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland’s inland waterways.

Built of structural steel with a stainless steel cladding, The Kelpies weigh 300 tonnes each. While construction began in June 2013 and was complete by October 2013, the process of fabricating the steel was several years in the making.

Guided tours of The Kelpies begin on April 21st, 2014 and will be running 7 days a week between 10am – 3:30pm.

 

the kelpies giant horse-head sculptures the helix, scotland by andy scott (5)

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the kelpies giant horse-head sculptures the helix, scotland by andy scott (4)

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The Kelpies Construction Timelapse

 

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