Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel

A Welshie Big Adventure in Scotland

The Kelpies in Falkirk

Over the last couple of days, we enjoyed a spate of lovely weather here in Scotland.  Thirty years ago, when I was last in Scotland, the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel had not yet been built. 

Today, Falkirk hosts both these major attractions which are worth a special visit.  Take a boat on the wheel or perhaps see if you can get inside the Kelpies statues. Both the Kelpies and the ingenious creation of the Falkirk Wheel can make for a lovely day out if you are near either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

The Kelpies

Before the advent of the railways, cargo was carried along canals that ran across the country between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Large draft horses, usually Clydesdales, were used to pull the barges back and forth along the Clyde and Forth canals. 

In 2013, two forged steel Clydesdale horse heads were created in recognition of the central role these horses played in Scottish commerce.

It's quite a sight to see on a beautiful day.

The horses' heads are 85 and 98 feet tall, respectively, and can easily be seen from the motorway emerging out of the trees.  It is a glorious sight to behold when you see them after viewing nothing but lush green fields and trees for miles on end.

Roberta and Winston enjoying a day with the Kelpies.

We brought our daughter Roberta to visit the steel horses and we enjoyed the chance to walk around them, staring up at the brilliant blue skies with a proud horses head covering the sun.  In real life, a Clydesdale is a magnificent animal, and these two statues express the majestic way these horses carry themselves.

For more information on the Kelpie statues click here.

The Falkirk Wheel

Not far from where the Kelpie statues are situated one can find the Falkirk Wheel.  The wheel is the only rotating boat lift in the world.  Prior to its creation, there were a series of eleven locks that connected the Forth and Clyde canal system.

A great explanation of the wheel.

Over the years, the canals had fallen into disrepair and it wasn’t until around 2000 that Scotland decided to reopen the connection between Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

Getting a feel for the size of the wheel.

Looking at the wheel head on.

A boat leaving the wheel.

Tony Kettle, the architect behind the wheel's design, deserves immense credit for creating such an amazing device. Some people are extremely talented at design and this gentleman clearly is one of them.

Waiting for the wheel to start.

Up, up, and away!

Family selfie minus Winston.

You can take a canal boat trip to experience the wheel.  Make sure that you purchase your tickets in advance since they do tend to fill up during the day.  At the same location, you can also rent canoes and electric boats. There is also a water park for kids and adults to enjoy on warm weather days.

For more on the Falkirk wheel click here.

Stay Tuned

Make sure to check back to Adventures in Life frequently.  I can’t wait to tell you about my recent trip to the Royal Highlands Fair (a parade of cows), the most recent gardens we’ve visited (with a tree planted by Queen Victoria), and the chance to explore some local walking paths with Winston and Maisie.

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