About
Standing 30 metres tall and constructed from 300 tonnes of structural steel each, The Kelpies are among the most dramatic public artworks in the world. Created by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott and unveiled in 2013, these two monumental horse-head sculptures rise from the flat plain of the Falkirk central belt, visible from miles around and instantly recognisable as symbols of Scotland's industrial and working-horse heritage.
The name 'Kelpie' refers to the shape-shifting water spirits of Scottish mythology — creatures said to inhabit rivers and lochs and lure the unwary into the depths. Andy Scott's design draws on this folklore while also honouring the real Clydesdale horses that powered Scottish agriculture and industry for centuries. The Kelpies stand at the eastern gateway to The Helix — a 350-hectare parkland developed by Falkirk Council between the River Carron and the Forth & Clyde Canal — and form the monumental entrance to a new canal extension connecting the Forth & Clyde Canal to the park.
Visitors can view The Kelpies for free from the surrounding parkland at any time, walking right up to their massive hooves and taking in the extraordinary engineering that holds them aloft. For those who want to go deeper — literally — ticketed guided tours of the interior are available. These tours take small groups inside the steel skeleton of one Kelpie, climbing through the structural lattice to understand the engineering feats of their construction and gaining unique perspectives on the sculpted exterior.
The Helix Visitor Centre, located beside the sculptures, provides an indoor welcome facility with exhibitions on the history, design and construction of The Kelpies, along with a café, shop, interpretation and facilities for families. The broader Helix Park offers cycling routes, walking paths, canoe hire on the canal, an adventure play area and tranquil green space — making the whole complex a popular outdoor destination for central Scotland.
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Plan Your Visit
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- The exterior of The Kelpies and the parkland are completely free to visit — even without an interior tour, this is a spectacular destination worth the journey.
- Book interior guided tours well in advance, especially for weekends in summer. Slots fill up quickly and cannot be purchased on the day.
- Arrive at sunset if you can — the lighting effects on the stainless steel panels are extraordinary, and sunset provides the best photography conditions.
- Bring a wide-angle lens or use your phone's ultra-wide camera — the sculptures are so large that a standard lens cannot capture both heads in the same frame from close range.
- The Falkirk Wheel is just 2 km away and is equally unmissable — plan your day to visit both The Kelpies and the Wheel for a full central Scotland engineering day out.
- The parkland paths are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, making The Helix one of the most accessible large-scale art destinations in Scotland.
- Dress warmly if visiting in autumn or winter — the site is exposed and the wind from the Forth estuary can be sharp, but the dramatic skies make the sculptures look even more impressive in all weathers.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The Making of The Kelpies
Permanent visitor centre exhibition tracing the creative and engineering process behind Andy Scott's sculptures, with models, photographs and construction documentation.
📍 Visitor Centre
Kelpie Mythology and Clydesdale Heritage
Interpretive display exploring Scottish water-horse mythology and the role of the Clydesdale horse in Scotland's industrial and agricultural history.
📍 Visitor Centre
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.