The Kelpies

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The Kelpies in Grangemouth The Kelpies 1-1 Stitch.jpg
The Kelpies in Grangemouth

The Kelpies are a pair of monumental steel horse-heads located in the Helix park between the Scottish towns of Falkirk and Grangemouth but the Kelpies themselves are situated in Grangemouth. They stand next to the M9 motorway and form the eastern gateway of the Forth and Clyde Canal, which meets the River Carron here. Each head is 30 metres (98 ft) high.

Contents

The sculptures, which represent kelpies, were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. [1] An unveiling ceremony took place in April 2014. [2] Around the sculptures is an area of parkland known as The Helix.

History

Kelpies under construction in 2013 Kelpies under construction.jpeg
Kelpies under construction in 2013

The name was chosen by Scottish Canals at the inception of The Helix project in 2005, [3] to reflect the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of ten horses. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges, and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of the Falkirk area. [4]

According to sculptor Andy Scott, "The original concept of mythical water horses was a valid starting point for the artistic development of the structures." [5] He also said that he "took that concept and moved with it towards a more equine and contemporary response, shifting from any mythological references towards a socio-historical monument intended to celebrate the horse's role in industry and agriculture as well as the obvious association with the canals as tow horses". [5] In 2008 Scott created three-metre-high miniature versions in his Glasgow studio. These were then scanned by lasers to help the steel fabricators create accurate full-scale components. [6]

According to Scott the end result would be "[w]ater-borne, towering gateways into The Helix, the Forth and Clyde Canal and Scotland, translating the legacy of the area into proud equine guardians". [7]

During the first year following the opening, nearly one million people visited the sculptures. [8]

The first routine maintenance and cleaning was carried out by a high-wire team in the summer of 2017. [9]

Structure

Another view showing its hollow cladding and canal basin The Kelpies in Falkirk.jpg
Another view showing its hollow cladding and canal basin

Built of structural steel with a stainless steel cladding, The Kelpies are 30 metres high and weigh 300 tonnes each. Construction began in June 2013 and was complete by October 2013. A topping out ceremony was held on 27 November 2013. [10] The Kelpies are positioned either side of a specially constructed lock and basin, part of the redeveloped Kelpies Hub. The forms are inspired by Clydesdale (draught) horses. [11]

In March 2024, Yorkshire-based SH Structures, responsible for the steelwork of The Kelpies, went into administration. [12]

Maquettes

The maquettes on display at Edinburgh Airport The Kelpies at Edinburgh Airport - geograph.org.uk - 2580937.jpg
The maquettes on display at Edinburgh Airport

There are two sets of 1:10 scale maquettes. These have been displayed locally, nationally, and internationally at events and locations including Edinburgh Airport, the Field Museum in Grant Park, Chicago, The Falkirk Wheel, Expo 2011 (Aberdeen), Expo 2012 (Edinburgh) and Expo 2013 (Glasgow), BBC Scotland, Glasgow, Kirkcudbright Arts & Crafts Trail 2017, University of Glasgow, Sheffield International Steel Celebration, and later at Bryant Park in New York.

Sculpted from steel then galvanized using a hot dip process, the Kelpie maquettes were welded by hand from small plates of steel. [13]

In the media

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References

  1. ↑ "The Kelpies sculptures beside M9 near completion". The Scotsman. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Ferguson, Brian (18 April 2014). "Blazing Saddles! Fiery Unveiling for Kelpies". The Scotsman . Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014– via HighBeam.
  3. ↑ "The Helix - The story so far". www.thehelix.co.uk.
  4. ↑ "Foundries helped to shape today's Falkirk". www.falkirkherald.co.uk.
  5. 1 2 Sleigh, William (21 April 2015). "The Kelpies". WL Sleigh. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  6. ↑ Carrell, Severin (24 November 2008). "Meet the Kelpies, Scotland's giant addition to the UK sculptural skyline". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "From Andy Scott's vision to a stunning reality". TheHelix.co.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Falkirk's year-old Kelpies set for millionth visitor". BBC News. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "High-wire team give Kelpies their first health check". BBC News. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  10. ↑ "In pictures: Kelpies construction work completed". BBC News. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "Andy Scott | Sculpture | the Kelpies".
  12. ↑ Morby, Aaron (22 March 2024). "Award-winning steelwork firm files administration notice". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  13. ↑ "Andy Scott Public Art: kelpies".
  14. ↑ "Award – The Kelpies, Falkirk". New Steel Construcation. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Mackay, Mark (17 September 2013). "Perth given a sneak preview of Kelpies statues". Perth & Kinross Courier.
  16. ↑ Carrell, Severin (24 November 2008). "Meet the Kelpies, Scotland's giant addition to the UK sculptural skyline". The Guardian.
  17. ↑ "Kelpies horses sculpture: Equine Equation". New Civil Engineer. 30 August 2011.
  18. ↑ "A dramatic change updated – Kelpies!". Ordnance Survey. 16 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Jenkins, Tiffany (2 December 2013). "Tiffany Jenkins: Kelpies will encourage public art". The Scotsman. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  20. ↑ Jones, Jonathan (22 April 2014). "The Kelpies: why Scotland's new public art is just a pile of horse poo". the Guardian. Retrieved 11 November 2015.

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