The Kelpies
The Kelpies are 30 metre high steel structures depicting heads of mythical horses; standing in Helix park, just a few miles from Falkirk, at an entrance to the Forth and Clyde Canal. They were completed in 2013, and together with the nearby Falkirk Wheel - draw numerous visitors to the area.
If you use the car park just as you enter the Helix, there is no charge; and it is about a 10 minute walk to reach the Kelpies. There is another car park a lot closer, but there is a fee for this one. It is a delightful walk along the edge of the canal - watching the structures coming closer into view.
If you chose not to walk along the canal, there is a pathway through some woodland and round the lagoon. There is a boardwalk around the waterway, which has been cleverly designed, running through the reeds - it is very atmospheric. There are smaller ponds and interesting features within the woods - so look out for them.
As you get closer to these magnificent beasts, you realise just what an amazing feat of engineering they are; welded from small pieces of structural steel and galvanised with stainless steel cladding - each one weighing 300 tons.
If you continue along the canal, just behind the Kelpies is the Horsebox Cafe and Gift shop where you can buy drinks, snacks and ice-creams. This is where boats using this section of the canal tend to moor up overnight. What a place to park up!
The canal ends here and the last lock is the Carron River Sea Lock - which doesn't look so picturesque at low tide.
Turning back to admire the huge equine structures, which are captivating from every angle; you come to the Kelpies Visitor Centre, Gift Shop and Cafe - which sells a range of home made cakes and meals using locally found ingredients.
This is open every day of the year (except Christmas and New Year), from 9:30am until 5:00pm. As well as selling traditional souvenirs and gifts, there is an exhibition space where you can learn more about the history of the area - and have a go at constructing a Kelpie out of Lego.
At the Visitor Centre you can purchase a ticket for a guided tour of the Kelpies; this is the only way to get inside one of these iconic structures and discover more about how they were constructed.
Back outside again, and if you are lucky enough with the weather and time of day; you can see some fabulous reflections on the newly developed canal turning pool that stands in front of them.
From the footbridge over here, you can see along another canal heading towards Grangemouth.
There is an interesting timeline under the bridge - telling the story of the area from 300 years ago.
It is hard to believe the idea for these striking monuments came from the legend of a creature that lived deep under the water, and when it came onto land, it changed into the shape of a beautiful horse which tried to entice anyone it came across, onto its back. Once on its back, the creature would gallop back into the water, going further and further down - drowning the poor rider in the the dark depths of the loch. The concept of this transformation has now been used to show how Scotland's waterways have changed and the area been transformed into one that now attracts visitors from all over the world. But to canal workers, The Kelpies are a reminder of its horse-powered heritage.
As darkness envelops the sky, the Kelpies begin to shine different colours from within, green, blue and pink. You need to be there when it is completely dark to appreciate this spectacle. Be aware that the inner car park closes at a specific time and the gates are locked - so unless you want to stay until morning - keep an eye on the time.
I would love to have stayed and seen them in all their glory, but was happy with the shots I had taken. They really are a sight to behold and I can see why both The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel are attracting so much tourism to this area. You can easily drive from one to the other in 10 minutes or if you have more time, you can walk along the canal - where you will see many interesting things along the way. There is a Wheel to Kelpies Selfie Trail.
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Lynne
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