The Kelpies // Look Local

Horses' Heads

What a heading - horses heads.  But literally these are massive sculptures of horses heads at the side of the motorway!  When the site became open to the public I asked my friend if she fancied going & she said she was terrified of them & that driving past them most days was enough, thank you!

They definitely have a presence about them.

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.

This stainless steel skin reflects the light of the day, and the night, and makes for an amazing sight in all weather.  The Kelpies are the central piece of Helix Art and are the symbol of a transformed, enduring new greenspace.  From thehelix.co.uk

Monuments to Horse Power

They made the news & have had a real feel good buzz around them.  They have been in construction since 2013 when they literally rose out of the ground.

I had seen the pieces being constructed as we drove past many times & was excited to see them completed.

Bank Holiday Day Out

At the last bank holiday I had my mum up & decided a trip to see the horses would be a fab idea.

They had just started the tours inside & the sun was high in the sky - what better day to go get my picture taken with The Kelpies. Yes - & everyone else in Scotland had the same idea, I think!

It was busy & we were at the end of the day!  We were late in visiting due to an oil central heating emergency - don't ask!

By the time I worked out what was wrong & convinced myself the house wasn't a potential fire ball, we left very late in the afternoon.  On the way down on the radio I heard the car parks were full & to use the overflow at the stadium, I hadn't planned for that so had a little bit of a flap.  But we got a space in the closest car park - good cos mum doesn't walk very well.

Check out Bailey & me trying to get the head like it's eating my hair lol

The walk

There was loads of people, kids on bikes & scooters & lots of doggies running around.  Bailey was grinning from ear to ear - excited was an understatement!  Lots of people for him to say hello to.  He wasn't so happy about posing for photos & I am not even sure he noticed the Kelpies!

He had his eye on the water!  My boy loves to swim & this was not the place for him to be splashing bout so being responsible I kept him on a short lead.

I would recommend it.  They are a thing of beauty.  And there is so much more to the helix park we never went round.  It's nice & flat with clear paths.

I will take Mr B & a calmer Bailey (if that is possible).

It is all still new & exciting so it's obviously going to be busy for a little while longer.

Check out the website Helix Park - The Kelpies for vague directions & a postcode.  It wasn't as well sign posted as I thought it would be, which is a shame, but if you head for the football stadium there are signs around that area.

The artist Andy Scott has put a tremendous amount of work into these sculptures & it is lovely that they are being enjoyed by so many.  Check out his website The Kelpies for some stunning photos of these beautiful beasts.

He has done a few other pieces that we also drove by such as Arria just outside Cumbernauld (I am so glad to find out her name, I googled metal lady/mermaid at side of motorway & never found her ….. wonder why? lol)  So she is definitely on my list next to visit.

A great day out for a walk along the canal, through the helix park up to & even inside the Kelpies.

I will be back, maybe even at night to see them all light up in all their glory.

I also found out that scale models were in New York city as part of Scottish Week in NYC! These horses' heads have been popping up all over the news!

Have you been to see the Kelpies? Heard of them?

What do you think?  Impressive or So what?