The Kelpies

Taking advantage of the good weather we visited the Kelpies, near Falkirk which were completed in April, created, in stainless steel using traditional riveting techniques, by Glasgow artist Andy Scott.

Our enthusiastic guide, Andy, told us how the position of the sculptures relates to the area, between the steelworks, coalfields and the canal network, where horses were used to haul wagons and barges.

The Scottish kelpie, which inspired the design, is a mythical water-horse, or water-spirit. Modelled on two working Clydesdale horses, Duke and Baron, their pose relates to a poem by Jim Carruth, which recognises the working horse:-

“Echo the great beasts
that work among us
unbridled in this kingdom
between canal and firth,
here to harness the river
carry each weary
traveller.
Bow down
your strong heads
to taste the water
Stretch up
your long necks
to face the sun.
Mighty twins of Carnera,
unbridled in this kingdom
between canal and firth,
surface to take the
strain.
Clydesdales of the
Carron,
rare wild-maned kelpies
come to harness the
river
carry each weary
traveller.
Celebrate their strength
Never forget a debt owed
Echo the great beasts

There is so much to see that a further visit, to include Helix Park, is on the cards.

Yesterday's blip disappeared without trace, so an abbreviated version appears here.