The Kelpies
Kelpies are mythological shape-shifting spirits possessing the strength and endurance of 100 horses and inhabiting the lochs and pools of Scotland, where they usually appear as horses, but can adopt human form.
The Kelpies, are two 30 metre high stainless steel clad monuments at The Helix on the Forth and Clyde Canal. They were the vision of artist Andy Scott, and were inspired by the mythological beasts.
The Helix was established just outside Falkirk, between Edinburgh and Glasgow, in 2003, creating a green space to connect and engage the local communities.
The Kelpies represent the transformational and sustainable qualities of The Helix and recognise the historical reliance industry had on horses; pulling wagons, ploughs, barges and coal ships and helping transform the economy.
Scott said, "I see The Kelpies as a personification of local and national equine history, of the lost industries of Scotland. I also envisage them as a symbol of modern Scotland - proud and majestic, of the people and the land... They stand testament to the achievements of the past, a tribute to artisanship and engineering and a proud declaration of intent for the future of Scotland."
The Kelpies weigh 300 tonnes each and sit on 1,200 tonnes of steel-reinforced concrete foundations. They were built in just 90 days and were 'topped out' on 27 November 2013. They opened to the public on 21 April 2014 and were visited by nearly a million people in their first year.
A 30-minute guided walking tour takes visitors through Scott’s vision and explains the relationship of The Kelpies with history and industry. The tour culminates with access to the inside of a Kelpie to see the engineering supporting the structure.
Find out more
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.