The Kelpies

These horses were originally constructed to commemorate the Shire horses that towed boats on canals. Later they were named The Kelpies after the mythical creatures in the waterways and lochs of Scotland.











A close up of the steel used for their construction.

 

They really are fabulous @Sheal , aren't they? I've often passed them but never visited as such. Glad you've enjoyed seeing them up close.
When I was in the Brownies [quite a long time ago....] I was a Kelpie. I have the little brass badge sitting on a cabinet. It keeps my Grandpa's 'box' from WW1 company.

 

Never even heard of them until now so many thanks @Sheal They really are so beautiful . Do you know who designed them or how long they took to construct?

 

They really were worth the visit @fairygirl.

Here's a link for you @Philippa ...

The Kelpies in Falkirk | Visit A City

 

I've visited a few times, most recent was a cycle loop I did round the forth. Its a shame there's large power lines close by, otherwise its a good visit. So is the wheel

 

I must ask my sister if she's ever taken her children, although they probably would have been far too old by the time they were built. My sis and BIL are over on the east side [the dark side , as we call it over here in the west ] and Falkirk was regularly visited, and still is as my oldest nephew lives there. I must ask if he's taken his children - I'm sure they would like that.
Re your other thread about the Wheel, I don't recall her mentioning taking them there either, but I'll try and remember to ask next time she phones.

 

They're both worth a visit @fairygirl whatever age your family.

Out of interest, as a genuine Scot, how do you pronounce the first three letters of Falkirk? Is it as in fall or as in foul?

 

I love the Designer, andy Scott's work. There are a bunch of his sculptures around Clackmannanshire that I often drive past at roundabouts/roadside when visiting my mum

 

Fall

 

I don't know anyone who would anything other than Fall-kirk @Sheal .
It's certainly a much easier one than many our place names up here!
Milngavie is a favourite for being mispronounced. Strathaven, which is about half an hour away from me, always catches out tourists. Probably because pretty much all others which have 'Strath' in the name are prounced as they're spelt.

There's a small summit [about 1800 feet] en route to one of our smaller hills in the Campsies [Earls Seat] called Clachertyfarlie Knowes. It's one of my favourite names. Ironically - it's also quite near Milngavie

 

@fairygirl you do realise you are now going to have to explain how to pronounce those 3 places you've named above. I'd definitely be a foreigner and fall for Strath but I don't think I'd even attempt the other 2 without some help.
I'm sticking with Ardnamurchan - I can do that one courtesy of the Shipping Forecast

 

Well - it's easy of course - Milngavie is pronounced Miln-gavvy @Philippa....
[I'm joking - in case anyone wonders- Mill-guy. Emphasis on the 'Mill' more than the 'guy' ]
Strathaven often gets written as Str'aven. Just to confuse people even more!

Ardnamurchan - brilliant. Now try Auchenshuggle.

 

Cullross in Fife is pronounced Coo-riss

 

Indeed @waterbut

 

Well you do now @fairygirl ! Being a southerner I often ask how names are pronounced here as I like to get them right. Falkirk with my hint of Essex (not London) is pronounced Foul-kirk but I'm working on it.

When we first moved here we were renting a house on the Black Isle and our lovely Scottish landlady who lived next door went into hysterics the first time I mentioned Avoch. No, she said, it's pronounced Och, the a and v are silent.