The Kelpies - The Helix, Falkirk - Scotland
The Kelpies are 30-metre-high (98 ft) horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits), located between Falkirk and Grangemouth, standing next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near River Carron, in The Helix, a new parkland project built to connect sixteen communities in the Falkirk Council Area, Scotland. The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013
The name was chosen by Scottish Canals at the inception of The Helix project, in 2005. The Kelpies name reflected the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of ten horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland's inland waterways. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges, and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of the Falkirk area
The Courier wrote that "Scots are being offered a tantalising glimpse of two staggering sculptures that will help transform the landscape of central Scotland.
KELPIES IN SCOTTISH MYTHOLOGY.
A Kelpie is the most common water spirit in Scottish folklore and is said to haunt the deep pools in rivers and streams, usually in the form of a lost white horse. This mythological transforming beast allegedly has the strength and endurance of a hundred horses. But beware…this is not some gentle pony but a malevolent spirit who will eat you for dinner!
The Kelpie is apparently particularly attractive to children, yet once on its back, their hide becomes sticky, trapping the child which it promptly drags into the water, then eats.
Alas, adults are not safe from these creatures either, for the kelpie’s shape-shifting ability allow them to appear in human form where they will lure members of the opposite sex into the water and feast upon them. In their human form, they still retain their hooves. As well as having phenomenal strength, the Kelpie’s magical abilities allow it to summon up floods to sweep away its unsuspected victims to a watery grave. Its tail, upon entering the water is said to sound like thunder and they warn of approaching storms by producing an unearthly wail.
But, just in case you think that you can prevent an encounter with a Kelpie by avoiding the river banks, think again. The Kelpie pales to insignificant when compared with the ferocity of the “each-uisge” (Gaelic for waterhorse) which lives in the sea and lochs…
The Kelpies - The Helix, Falkirk - Scotland
The Kelpies are 30-metre-high (98 ft) horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits), located between Falkirk and Grangemouth, standing next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near River Carron, in The Helix, a new parkland project built to connect sixteen communities in the Falkirk Council Area, Scotland. The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013
The name was chosen by Scottish Canals at the inception of The Helix project, in 2005. The Kelpies name reflected the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of ten horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland's inland waterways. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges, and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of the Falkirk area
The Courier wrote that "Scots are being offered a tantalising glimpse of two staggering sculptures that will help transform the landscape of central Scotland.
KELPIES IN SCOTTISH MYTHOLOGY.
A Kelpie is the most common water spirit in Scottish folklore and is said to haunt the deep pools in rivers and streams, usually in the form of a lost white horse. This mythological transforming beast allegedly has the strength and endurance of a hundred horses. But beware…this is not some gentle pony but a malevolent spirit who will eat you for dinner!
The Kelpie is apparently particularly attractive to children, yet once on its back, their hide becomes sticky, trapping the child which it promptly drags into the water, then eats.
Alas, adults are not safe from these creatures either, for the kelpie’s shape-shifting ability allow them to appear in human form where they will lure members of the opposite sex into the water and feast upon them. In their human form, they still retain their hooves. As well as having phenomenal strength, the Kelpie’s magical abilities allow it to summon up floods to sweep away its unsuspected victims to a watery grave. Its tail, upon entering the water is said to sound like thunder and they warn of approaching storms by producing an unearthly wail.
But, just in case you think that you can prevent an encounter with a Kelpie by avoiding the river banks, think again. The Kelpie pales to insignificant when compared with the ferocity of the “each-uisge” (Gaelic for waterhorse) which lives in the sea and lochs…