Clydesdale Horses Gather to celebrate Kelpies Sculptures Effect a decade on
A mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
Article Source: Helix Park
Last Updated: 26 March 2024 13:36
A mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary of the magnificent artworks.
The Kelpies creator, internationally renowned artist and sculptor Andy Scott, joined in the celebration held at The Helix Park, Falkirk, to pay tribute to the Clydesdale Horse, the breed that inspired him to create the colossal Kelpies.
The Clydesdale Horse played a crucial role in Scottish industry and economy- pulling wagons, barges, ploughs and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of Scotland.
Andy, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, but now lives and works in Los Angeles, California, has flown back to his homeland for the occasion to celebrate a decade of the `Kelpies’ effect’.
Since their launch, Helix Park has welcomed over seven million visitors from all over the world; The Kelpies play a huge role in contributing to a £85 million tourism spend in the Falkirk region annually.
Andy, who now has large public art sculptures all over Scotland and around the world in places such as London, Sydney, America and Mexico, was commissioned by Scottish Canals to create this huge piece of awe-inspiring artwork.
They are constructed from some 30,000 pieces of structural steel, with a stainless-steel cladding. The steel fabricators, SH Structures, created the individual pieces of the enormous horses from Andy’s three-metre-high models that had been laser scanned.
In addition to the main sculpture, there are two sets of 1:10 scale maquettes that have been exhibited both in Scotland and abroad. The entire project took over ten years to realise and will now celebrate their 10th birthday on April
27th.
Andy said: “The Clydesdale breed as an equine emblem of Scotland and I am so proud to be standing here today to pay tribute to these magnificent creatures that inspired me to make The Kelpies. It has been amazing to see the impact The Kelpies has had across the globe and I’m excited to see what will happen in the next 10 years.”
Scottish Canals' Chief Executive John Paterson said: “The Kelpies pay homage to the working horses and people of Scotland who used to pull cargo and passenger barges along Scotland’s canals.
"These remarkable animals and the canal staff of the day played a significant role in the rapid development of Scotland’s industries and its global influence, such as here in Falkirk with the proliferation of iron foundries that traded goods around the world, and the communities along the 141 miles of Scotland’s five canals and take their deserved place in our nations celebrated heritage. It is now over 200 years since Scotland’s canals were constructed and a decade on since The Kelpies were created, and these magnificent internationally significant works of art and indeed the nearby Falkirk Wheel have taken their rightful place as internationally renowned icons of Scotland, attracting
hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors to Falkirk and the rest of Scotland each year, adding significantly to the local and Scottish economy."
"We are delighted to be able to celebrate their 10th birthday in style and look forward to welcoming local and international visitors alike, to share with us this special anniversary and the memory of those who gave us the fabulous heritage legacy of Scotland’s canals, which continue to bring so many benefits across Scotland’s communities to this day”
Falkirk Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “Andy’s work has inspired visitors from all over the world and many marvel at how intricate and stunning these sculptures are. They are a great tribute to our industrial heritage and a fitting icon of our area.”
Lynsey Eckford, VisitScotland’s Regional Director for Forth Valley, said: “Since the opening of The Kelpies a decade ago, they have ignited the imaginations of visitors and are firmly established as one of Scotland’s must-visit iconic landmarks. Every year, these magnificent equine sculptures draw hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors, and their enduring popularity is evident through their inclusion in our international and UK marketing campaigns.
“The Helix Park, The Home of The Kelpies, is cherished by locals, and highlights the wide-ranging benefits of investing in the tourism experience and the positive impacts those developments can have on the surrounding community".
“Collaborating closely with VisitFalkirk and Scottish Canals, we’re encouraging visitors to follow the trails linking Callendar Park, The Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel and Rosebank Distillery, when it opens in the summer, giving visitors the opportunity to extend their stay and immerse themselves in all the region has to offer.”
A special one-of-a-kind concert is planned for the anniversary to be held on Saturday, April 27th at the Helix Park, Falkirk, Scotland, for more information visit Helix Park Falkirk: https://www.thehelix.co.uk/
Image: Clydesdale Horses at The Kelpies with Sculpture Andy Scott.
Image credit: Martin Shields Photography
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Celebrate the arrival of Deadpool & Wolverine with limited edition merch and sweet treats at Vue
THE highly anticipated team-up of Deadpool & Wolverine is finally arriving at screens across the UK and Ireland this weekend at Vue Cinemas.
READ MORE
Search is on for the biggest craft beer fan in Scotland
Edinburgh’s award-winning Cold Town Brewery has launched a nationwide search to appoint an honorary chief taster to help develop its new summer beer range.
READ MORE
Celebrate the Gruffalo with The Royal Society for Blind Children
Join a very special session on Zoom as The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) celebrates The Gruffalo's 25th birthday, in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books!
READ MORE
National Trust For Scotland launches annual footpath fund appeal as countryside visitors climb
Charity appeals for Footpath Fund donations as countryside visitors increase by 16 percent in first half of the year.
READ MORE
Music fans have a lot to look forward to at Vue in Scotland this summer
Music lovers have a lot to celebrate this summer at Vue, with three exciting titles hitting the big screen – including BLACKPINK’s latest concert film.
READ MORE
BID Launches Mini Olympics Event in Stirling
Go Forth Stirling, the city’s BID (Business Improvement District), is hosting a Mini-Olympics with fun and games for all the family in the pedestrianised section of Port Street.
READ MORE
Important Jacobite Historical Discovery Made at Bannockburn House
In the halls of Bannockburn House a team of dedicated volunteers have uncovered a rare and fascinating piece of history that could have altered the story of the nation.
READ MORE
Macrobert Arts Centre launches Christmas Appeal to bring festive joy to Forth Valley
Macrobert Arts Centre is delighted to announce the return of the annual Christmas Appeal, which provides local disadvantaged families and young people with tickets to Macrobert’s pantomime.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland launches search for the Ultimate BBQ Ambassador
In response to Scotlands gloomy and grey summer weather, Aldi Scotland has launched a nationwide hunt for the country’s Ultimate BBQ Ambassador.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper launches photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
The landscape photography competition will run until October with three prizes up for grabs!
READ MORE
Trust teams up with round the world cyclist to showcase accessible routes in National Park
Trust in the Park has teamed up with renowned round-the-world cyclist and filmmaker Markus Stitz to showcase Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’s accessible routes this summer.
READ MORE
Impact Arts celebrates 30 years of changing lives in Scotland and puts the call out for stories
On 22 August, the team at Impact Arts will raise a glass to three decades of life-changing work, as Scotland's leading creative engagement charity prepares to mark its 30th anniversary.
READ MORE
BID Brightens Up City Centre with Planters and Stirling 900 Mural Banners
A series of blooming planters are adding a welcome splash of colour across Stirling city centre this summer.
READ MORE
Free gardening workshops at Dobbies for National Allotment Week
Dobbies is celebrating National Allotment Week by inviting gardening enthusiasts across the country to a series of free Grow How workshops throughout the month, focusing on allotment gardening.
READ MORE
Series of Creative Workshops Support Neurodivergent Young People Across Edinburgh This Summer
Neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre collaborates with local creative organisations to create opportunities and support the transition to life beyond school.
READ MORE
Crieff Hydro announces a packed summer activity programme for 2024
Situated in the heart of the historic region is the iconic Crieff Hydro Hotel, which has announced a host of exciting summer activities for the whole family to get involved in.
READ MORE
Stirling businesses and people shortlisted for national tourism awards
An incredible eight businesses and individuals in the Stirling area are in the running for the prestigious Scottish Thistle Awards.
READ MORE
Music award design commission open to Stirling based artists
Artists and creatives in the Stirling area are being invited to put their ideas forward to design trophies for the prestigious Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award.
READ MORE
The top pipers and drummers in Scotland set to return to Renfrew
Renfrew's Robertson Park will host Scotland's top piping talent once again as the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition returns to the town on Saturday 20th July.
READ MORE
Top 10 regions where most books are set across Scotland
VisitScotland has analysed over 11,500 books on the Goodreads database to reveal readers’ top-rated books set in Scotland and the regions most frequently depicted in literature.
READ MORE
TRNSMT 2025 confirmed as dates and tickets sales announced
Scotland's biggest live music event has been confirmed to go ahead next year, and fans can get their hands on early bird tickets this week.
READ MORE
Families set for a dinomite weekend as prehistoric pals come to Perthshire hotel
Action Glen Adventure Park, located at Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire will welcome a trio of robotic-dinos on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July.
READ MORE
Asda Foundation announces funding to transform community spaces
Community groups in Scotland to be awarded grants ranging from £10,000 to £25,000.
READ MORE
Nominations Are Now Open for BIH Spotlight Awards 2024
Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) is thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the third BIH Spotlight Awards.
READ MORE
Young Golfers Get Surprise Visit From Genesis Scottish Open Championship Trophy
On the first day of the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open in North Berwick, young golfers from across Scotland received a surprise visit from the tournament’s official championship trophy.
READ MORE
Borders stately home Floors Castle supports Cash For Kids with launch of Inflatable Insanity
Borders stately home Floors Castle is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its Inflatable Insanity giant obstacle course this summer!
READ MORE
Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company return with To Save The Sea
Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company are delighted to bring their latest musical extravaganza, To Save The Sea, to Scottish stages this autumn.
READ MORE
SAY Award opens for 2024 with fans and artists encouraged to submit albums
Scotland's national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year Award, has launched, inviting artists, music fans and labels to submit eligible albums and be in the running for the prestigious prize.
READ MORE
Stirling Summer Sessions prove a huge hit with concert goers
The inaugural Summer Sessions at Stirling City Park have won widespread praise after thousands of music fans attended a series of headline concerts in the shadow of Stirling Castle.
READ MORE
Dobbies hosts free Show and Tell gardening workshop
Dobbies is inviting children aged 4-10 to a free and interactive Little Seedlings workshop on Sunday 4th August, that includes a dedicated gardening Show and Tell.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links