The Kelpies at Helix Park – a guide for visiting them in 2023
Despite being opened less than 10 years ago, the Kelpies have already become one of the most popular tourist attractions in central Scotland.
Located between Falkirk and Grangemouth. These sculptures were completed in early 2014 and have quickly become a favourite with locals and tourists alike. We wanted to write about the kelpies because they're special, and it is fascinating to see how quickly they've become a popular attraction in Scotland (with a 5-star rating from the Scottish Tourist Board).
We'll be looking at why they were built and the team that built them, as well as some interesting information about these monuments and information you need to know before visiting. Let's get into the article:
Who created The Kelpies?
The sculptures were designed by Andy Scott and they were completed by a team of builders in late 2013. Originally, Andy Scott created three created miniature versions of The Kelpies in his Glasgow studio, which were then scanned by lasers to help steel fabricators create the full-scale versions. We imagine that when Scott was creating the smaller scale models in his studio, he never could have imagined how stunning they would look at full-size. Visit Andy Scott's website here - andyscottsculptor.com
What do The Kelpies represent?
Visiting The Kelpies in 2022 - tips & things to be aware of
One of the best things about The Kelpies is that if you wish, you can simply admire them as you're driving past. If you're driving from Edinburgh to Stirling along the M9 then you'll get a great view of them from the road (obviously we don't condone staring for too long if you're driving), but we think it is well worth taking the time to actually visit the Helix park itself as you not only get to appreciate the monuments from up close but there's also some other interesting things to see there. However, there are a few things to be aware of before you visit the Kelpies, here are some tips:
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit if you want a quiet visit is during the week because there will be fewer people there, but we went on a Friday and we definitely wouldn't describe it as busy. Although there are advantages to visiting during the day such as being able to enjoy the facilities like the cafe and the tour inside the Kelpies, we think you should visit at night - when the Kelpies are lit up, they look amazing. However, as we mentioned you won't be able to go on the tour or visit the cafe. You won't even be able to use the toilets as they'll be closed, but there is a McDonald's nearby which is ideal for a toilet stop!
Cycling at The Kelpies
If you're staying near The Kelpies then we think the best way to get there and to experience them is by bike. You could previously hire electric bikes from a company called Forth Bike (pictured), but that has now been discontinued. However, most of the area around the Kelpies is still ideal for cycling, so we'd still recommend bringing an electric bike or pedal bike with you if that's how you'd prefer to travel.
However, there are a number of areas around the Kelpies which should be avoided on a bike, particularly at night - for example, this area in the picture, which is just up from the main car park. This is because visibility can often be poor at night and if you were to fall off your bike it would be dangerous.
What can you do during the visit?
If you're visiting The Kelpies at night (as we recommend), there isn't much more to do than simply admire the scale and beauty of the sculptures, take lots of photos and have a wander around the area, listening to the peaceful sound of the running water. Sounds pretty perfect to us, but if you're looking for a bit more action and you're willing to visit during the day, then you've got a few more things you can do. Firstly, the tour of the Kelpies allows you to actually step inside the sculptures to see what they look like from the inside. This is pretty cool but to be honest, we wouldn't say it is an absolutely must-do.
During the day you've also got a few options for eating including the main cafe, as well as The Horsebox which serves up pizza.
What else is there to be aware of during your visit?
Something which really surprised us is that the Kelpies are surrounded by quite a bit of open water with railings - the Queen Elizabeth II canal flows around the sculptures. If you're visiting the Kelpies at night then you definitely need to watch your step and make sure to stay well clear of the water!
You should also be aware that you can't drive your car right up next to the Kelpies. There will be a short walk from the car park of around 10 minutes, but we actually think this adds to the experience as the sculptures emerge from the distance.
Lastly, the Helix Park itself is pleasant to wander around and you can actually spot quite a lot of wildlife there, particularly birds. If you're lucky and you're visiting during the day you'll maybe see a Grey Heron, a Buzzard, or even a Peregrine Falcon. Even if you're visiting at night you might see Swans swimming peacefully down the canal.
If you enjoyed this guide, check out our guides about other popular Scottish tourist attractions such as the North Coast 500 and Kintyre 66. We also have guides about the islands such as Arran, Jura, Eigg, and Mull.
A collection of interesting facts about the Kelpies:
- In the first year of opening, more than 1 million people visited the Kelpies
- The project changed and an area of underused land between Falkirk and Grangemouth into a must-see visitor attraction which brings people from all over Scotland and beyond
They were said to be shape-shifting beasts that could take any human form
Finn H
Finn is the editor of You Well and has been writing about travel, health, and more for over 10 years.
One Comment
Irene moran
Visiting the Kelpies for the first time in August can’t wait .