Kelpies

Kelpies are mythical Scottish sea-horses, which would offer their victims a ride on their backs, but then take them underwater and kill them.

For reasons not entirely clear to me, two massive (30m/100ft tall) statues of kelpies are the centrepiece of a major new public park in Falkirk, and today was the park's opening day event. After dark, visitors walked a tour round the park, with performance artists, sound and light shows, and then, at the Kelpies themselves, a display of music and fire. As the Kelpies roared in shrieked in their stuary form, two figures in light suits made their way through the flames, trying to escape the Kelpies' deadly embrace.

The statues, by Andy Scott, looked magnificent. The crowds watching the show were appreciative, if perhaps a little bemused at times. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, and everyone had a great time.

Well done to everyone involved - I thoroughly enjoyed the evening!

PS to get an idea of the scale of the statues, look at the very central flame. At the top, you can see "the other" lightsuit-clad man standing beside the Kelpie. But he's pretty small!