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
The UK heating industry and the Brexit transition
An overview of the current state of the market.
UEFA guide to renovating football training facilities
Organisation offers best practices for construction and modification.
Heritage on the edge?
Prioritising tax considerations.
Reviewing the Double Diamond Design model
The four D creative process: discover, define, develop and deliver.
National Cyber Security Centre initiative is announced.
The impact of COVID-19 on global HVAC&R markets
Reviewing trends and projections.
Legislation will establish initiatives to move towards net zero.
Status determination statement
How to document contractor employment status.
Social distancing goes high tech
Tech tools to help manage people and space post-pandemic.
Eclectic Edwardian architecture
A style that ranges from mock Tudor to arts and crafts to the 'Wrenaissance'.
Free guide from Secured by Design.
Building Back Better: Circularity
BREEAM strategy for sustainability and the circular economy.
Free tool to improve the construction programming process.