If you come across a silver-maned horse on your travels through Scotland, do not touch it — it might be a kelpie, one of the country’s mythical water beasts. The two giant sculptures that share their name tower over Helix Park near Falkirk, halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and are visible from the M9 as you pass.
Standing 30 metres tall, the two horse-head structures are the largest equine sculptures in the world. Named Baron and Duke, each weighs around 300 tonnes and is modelled on real Clydesdale horses.
The Sculptures & Their Story
The Kelpies were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and completed in 2013 as a monument to Scotland’s horse-powered industrial heritage, from canal barges to ploughs. Their stainless-steel skins catch the light and shift through the day, and they are floodlit after dark. Andy Scott’s other works include the Dunbear in Dunbar and the Leopard in Aberdeen.
Visiting Helix Park
The Kelpies stand in the Helix, a free parkland with walking and cycling paths, a lagoon and a play area, which makes it an easy family stop. Guided tours run inside the structures for a small fee if you want to see the steel framework up close. There is a visitor centre with a cafe and shop at the base.
How to Get There
The Kelpies are just off the M9 at junction 5, about 40 minutes from Edinburgh or Glasgow by car, with free parking. Falkirk Grahamston station is a short taxi or bus ride away. Many bus tours between the cities also stop here, often paired with the nearby Falkirk Wheel.
Practical Tips
- Free to see from the park; only the interior tours charge admission
- Just off the M9 (junction 5) with free on-site parking
- Pair with the Falkirk Wheel boat lift, about 15 minutes away
- The sculptures are floodlit after dark and change colour
- Allow an hour or two to walk the wider Helix park
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to visit the Kelpies?
Yes. The sculptures and the surrounding Helix park are free to visit. Only the guided tours inside the steel structures charge a small admission fee.
How tall are the Kelpies?
Each stands 30 metres, or about 100 feet, tall and weighs around 300 tonnes, making them the largest equine sculptures in the world.
