The Kelpies

The Kelpies, located in Falkirk, Scotland tower a colossal 30 metres above the Forth and Clyde Canal and form a dramatic gateway to the canal entrance on the East Coast of Scotland. Created by Scotland's leading sculptor Andy Scott, The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Central Scotland. 

Come and see the world's largest equine sculptures up close - and even go inside to marvel at the complexity and the engineering which created these fantastic pieces of art.

 

Key facts

  • Each structure contains approximately 18,000 individual pieces 
  • There is over 1.5 miles of steel in each structure
  • They each weigh over 300 tonnes and sit on 1,200 tonne foundations
  • Each structure has 464 steel plates 
  • In a monumental feat of engineering, The Kelpies rose from the ground in just 90 days, in late 2013. to view the video of their construction click here

 

You can book a Kelpies Experience Tour a 30 minute guided walking tour, the pinnacle of which is that you get to experience a Kelpie from the inside and view the breathtaking engineering and design. Click here for details of how to book your The Kelpies Tour  

 

The Kelpies are located in the heart of Helix Park – 350 hectares of recreational green land complete with Visitor Centre which includes a cafe,gift shop and exhbition space, adventure play park, splash play fountains, lagoon and miles of cycle paths.

 

These giant horses’ heads were showcased on the very popular TV series Great Canal Journeys, with Timothy West and Prunella Scales.

 

For full details of how to get to the Kelpies please click here.  

 

 

dog friendly

* This is a dog friendly attraction, click here for other dog friendly places in Falkirk

 

 

  • Visitor Centre with restaurant, shop and exhibition space
  • Helix Plaza Café
  • The Horsebox Cafe & Gift shop
  • Toilets
  • The Helix Car Park has spaces for 78 cars and is free of charge, free parking is also available at The Falkirk Stadium, nearby (please check Falkirk Football Club website as parking at the stadium will be restricted  in the event of a home game)
  • Kelpies Car Park 175 spaces near the Kelpies and visitor centre. For full info on opening times and current charges please click here. 
  • The Helix Park is Wheelchair accessible

 

Public Transport to the Kelpies from Falkirk High Station: 

Join the First Bus Number 2 bus for Bo'ness at Slammanan Road approx 2 minutes walk from the rail station. This bus will stop on Falkirk Road opposite Falkirk Stadium (watch out for the pink bus stop) this stop is the side entrance to the Helix Park and you can walk through the park to the Kelpies and the visitor centre - this will take approx 20 minutes. Or alternatively you can then get the 28 bus to Falkirk/Alloa from this bus stop and get off at Glensburgh Road before Kerse Bridge Grangemouth, from here it is an approx 8 minute walk to the Kelpies along the canal. to access the First Bus route planner click here

dog friendlyThis attraction is dog friendly

The Kelpies are always accessible for a visit.  

The Kelpies Tours  - Tickets are sold on the day from The Visitor Centre at The Helix, but the best way to avoid disappointment is to pre-book your tickets online. You can also contact The Visitor Centre on 01324 590600 for more information.

 

Eating at the Helix 

The Plaza cafe

Check opening times here

 

The Visitor Centre cafe

Check opening times here 

For more info about opening times for both cafes just click here.

 

The Horsebox Cafe &  Gift Shop. 

Offers visitors the chance to sample artisan ice cream, hot drinks and homemade snacks beneath the noses of the majestic monuments to horse-powered heritage. Check opening hours here

 

 

The Helix Park - Toilets 

There are toilets available in The Visitor Centre during opening hours of 9:30 - 17:00. 

There are also toilets available at the Plaza Cafe, open 7 days a week 10am till 4.00pm

 

Kelpies Car Park

8.00 - 22.00 (Charging from 10am) daily

 

Disabled parking is available outside the entrance to the Kelpies Visitor Centre. There are also disabled spaces at the play area carpark which is about 300 metres from the Plaza Café and can be accessed by smooth wide pavements. Both the Visitor Centre and Plaza Café are accessible to wheelchair and powerchair users and include disabled toilets.