In Falkirk's Helix Park the latest tourist attraction is based on a mythical Scottish "water horse" known as a Kelpie. Mythology has depicted Kelpies as "shape shifters" taking numerous forms for the purpose of seduction masking their mostly strong powerful malevolent nature with a propensity for eating children. This was of course a good ploy to keep children away from dangerous waters in days past. The creature is often depicted as black, sometimes white, often dripping wet with sea weed for a mane.
These 30m high Kelpies are the inspiration of the artist Andy Kerr whose design is based more on reality, namely the famous Clydesdale horse Carnera, reputed to be the largest horse alive at the time, exceeding 19 hands who hauled the Barrs Irn Bru wagons of the 1930s.
Now judge for yourself how seductive these Kelpies are.
Opening Hours: Access is 24/7 with the Cafe open from
10:00am - 17:00pm Monday - Wednesday and
10:00am - 18:00pm Thursday - Sunday
Tours from 10:00am - 17:00pm only
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