The sculptures were modeled on two actual Clydesdale horses named Duke and Baron.
The interior of each head is accessible via guided tours, showcasing the complex structural steel frame.
The stainless steel skin is comprised of 928 individual panels.
The Kelpies are the largest equine sculptures in the world.
The sculptures function as a gateway to the canal network and are visible from the M9 motorway.
The design utilizes a 'sheathed' approach to emphasize the horses' muscular forms.
The project was part of a larger £43 million regeneration scheme for the local area.
The Kelpies are 30-meter-high horse-head sculptures designed by Andy Scott, located at The Helix park in Falkirk. Completed in 2013, the structures are made from structural steel with a shimmering stainless steel cladding. They serve as a tribute to Scotland's canal heritage and the heavy-draught horses that historically pulled barges along the Forth and Clyde Canal. Each sculpture weighs 300 tons and sits on concrete foundations. The Helix park surrounding the sculptures covers 350 hectares of green space and includes a network of walking and cycling trails. The site is a key component of the wider canal regeneration project connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal to the River Carron.
From the canal path directly in front of the sculptures to capture the reflection in the water.
Visit the visitor center to book a tour inside the structures, as access to the interior is only possible with a guide.
Bring wind-resistant clothing as the open landscape at the site is often subject to high winds.
Utilize the surrounding Helix park trail network to view the sculptures from multiple angles and elevations.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the exterior steel panels of the sculptures.
The park and exterior sculptures remain open year-round, though internal visitor center facilities may have seasonal hours.
