Coming up in this guide: canalside bike rides, family-friendly fun, exploring Falkirk, an adventure play park, and two gigantic horse heads.
So, you want to visit the bizarre Kelpies in Falkirk.
They seem cool… although, to be honest, you don’t really know what they are:
What exactly is the point of them? Are they really as massive as they look? And, do they *do* anything?
Well, in this guide, we’ve covered all that and more.
(…and, spoiler alert: I definitely recommend visiting them).
Pack some sandwiches and go join the fun: here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Kelpies in Falkirk!
What are the Kelpies in Falkirk?
The Kelpies are a pair of steel horse-head sculptures, measuring in at a massive height of 30 meters (98 feet).
They weigh 300 tonnes each, were built between June 2013 and October 2013, and are currently the world’s largest equine sculptures (niche category, I know).
Designed by Scottish artist Andy Scott, they represent mythological creatures called… you guessed it… ‘kelpies.’ But more on those fictional beasts in the next section.
To quote the creator, the sculpture uses “mythological references […] to celebrate the horse’s role in industry and agriculture as well as the obvious association with the canals”
Overall, the Kelpies are massively impressive, and I definitely recommend visiting them (especially at night, when they’re illuminated).
Although most people expect the Kelpies to sit in the center of Falkirk, they don’t. They’re actually located 2 miles (3.2km) east of the town, sort of between Falkirk and the town of Grangemouth.
They sit on a big watery area where the River Carron meets the Forth and Clyde Canal.
… and they’re actually part of a larger area known as ‘Helix Park’—a hefty green space measuring in at over 350 hectares (that’s over 860 acres). But more on that place later.
The Folklore Inspiration Behind the Kelpies in Falkirk
As we’ve covered, the Kelpies statues are based upon some ancient mythological creatures, also called ‘kelpies.’
These mythological creatures were thought to be shape-shifting spirits, who lived in lakes, looked like horses, and ate humans (often children).
They existed in both Scottish and Irish folklore and were said to have the strength and power of ten horses. They were usually depicted as being black horses who could shape-shift into humans, and were sometimes also known as ‘water kelpies.’
Pretty much every big lake (or ‘loch,’ since we’re talking about Scotland here) was thought to have a Kelpie living in it, or roaming close to it, or eating people beside it.
Nobody really seems to know exactly where the idea originated, or exactly when it originated.
In many Kelpie stories, kids (or *a* kid) would be enticed and befriended by the horse. The kids would jump on its back; the Kelpie would drift underwater with the kids upon it; then the Kelpie would eat the kids and leave their entrails on the shore of whatever loch it was living in.
Some believe the myth of the Loch Ness* Monster is related to Kelpie folklore: way before we started talking about the big dinosaur-like Loch Ness Monster, there were rumors of a Loch Ness Kelpie.
Some folklore lovers believe these are two entirely separate entities, while others believe the two might be different interpretations of the same thing.
Whatever the case, I’m sure all sane people can agree they’re both entirely fictional.
*For more on that big ol’ loch, here are 21 strange and interesting facts about Loch Ness.
Other Attractions in Helix Park
As we’ve covered, the Kelpies aren’t all alone. Instead, they’re part of Helix Park, which features loads of other fun stuff. Highlights include:
- The lagoon (which to be honest, is actually just a pond): you can swim in it, hire boats to paddle around in it, and feed the ducks.
- Walking trails: some short, some long, some on asphalt (that’s tarmac, to you non-Americans), some not on asphalt. You can take a short random wander, but if you’d like to see all the highlights with some sort of structure, I recommend this 4-mile (6.5km) walk. It also features some not-so-well-known stuff, including some pretty wetlands.
- Play areas: for kids, there are loads of places to jump and swing and scream. Highlights include slides, spinny things, tunnels, and an adventure play park.
- Visitor Center: inside, you’ll find snacks, a cafe, toilet facilities, a gift shop, and information about the Kelpies and the area.
- The Plaza Café: sitting beside the shores of the lagoon, this place has more food and drink than the visitor center cafe. It offers soups, sandwiches, cakes, coffees, and more.
- HArTT – the ‘Helix Around Town Trail’: this bike ride measures in at 16 miles (26km), and it covers the Helix Park, the Kelpies, Falkirk, and lots more highlights. Here’s more information—and you can download the PDF route here. The entire route is signposted. You can either use your own bikes, hire one from Greenrig Cycles (though it’s far from the park), or get an e-bike in the park*.
*Helix Park and the Kelpies also sit on two national cycle routes. For more information (and how you can combine your Kelpies visit with a big long bike ride, here’s the official map of the UK’s Sustrans cycle network.
Exploring the Nearby Town of Falkirk
- The Falkirk Wheel: also sitting just outside Falkirk, the Falkirk Wheel isn’t really a wheel at all. Instead, it’s the only rotating boat lift on the planet. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, by picking boats up in one canal, doing a half-turn, then dropping them off in a different canal. Its surroundings are home to boat trips, play areas, a mini golf course, walking trails, and canalside stretches for walking and cycling.
- Callendar House: also(!) located vaguely outside Falkirk, this is one of those living museums where you get costumed characters and interactive areas. Highlights include a medieval tower, the landscaped parkland, some pretty walking trails, a big lake, and the chateau itself. A good choice for family-friendly history.
- Falkirk Canal Tunnel: a strange murky place, this lengthy tunnel measures in at 630 meters (2,000 feet), and the Union Canal runs all the way through it (and then all the way to Edinburgh!). Top tip: for a pretty but easy outdoor adventure, you can walk from here to the Falkirk Wheel.
- Linlithgow Palace: a big ol’ palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in southern Scotland. Sitting on the shores of a loch (with a pretty trail around its perimeter), it’s home to ancient rooms, historical insights, and jousting events. If you’re into history, get your ears around the audio guide. The palace sits around 8 miles (13km) east of Falkirk, but it’s accessible by public transport.
- Muiravonside Country Park: sitting southwest of Linlithgow Palace, this hefty park measures in at 170 acres (69 hectares). Expect pigs, horses, Highland cows, a coffee cabin, some pretty strolls, and the historic Avon Aqueduct (which carries the Union Canal over the River Avon).
Local Accommodations and Eateries
Some of the best hotels in and around Falkirk include:
- The Orchard Hotel: a nice combo of many appealing perks, this old-school hotel sits right in the center of Falkirk. It’s affordable, comfortable, and sits inside a pub. It’s vaguely dated, but it has a super-friendly vibe. Massively recommended.
- Carmel Apartments: if you want your own apartment, don’t choose anywhere else. Yeah, this is quite pricey, but it’s very clean and comfortable, and it’s totally worth the money. It’s central, it’s pretty, and you’ll love it. Great for a romantic break.
- The Grange Manor: if you want to stay right beside the Kelpies, this is the place for you. Sitting inside a landscaped-gardened manor house, this is elegant and ornate, and they offer afternoon tea, excellent breakfasts, and a classy-but-unpretentious vibe. From here, it’s very easy to get to Helix Park.
… and (aside from the cafes we’ve already mentioned in Helix Park), some of the best eateries in and around Falkirk include:
- Cafe Corvina: a super-popular Italian joint, this place is somehow both retro and modern, and serves excellent no-frills all-flavors food. Get your mouth around the risottos, the calzones, and any of the veal dishes.
- The Fork & Mustard: a cozy dog-friendly cafe, this place offers pancakes, waffles, soups, sandwiches, and surprisingly-low prices. Do they make the best coffee and Eggs Benedict in Falkirk? Possibly.
- Christie’s Scottish Tapas: these guys offer standard-sized big meals (burgers, fish and chips, and roast meats), but the place is—of course—most famous for its little plates of Scottish tapas. Highlights include meat tacos, loaded chips, and mackerel pate. Great for sharing snacks, and perfect for big groups.
Visiting the Kelpies in Falkirk
Next up, when to visit the Kelpies, how to visit the Kelpies, and tours you might want to take…
When to Visit the Kelpies
The Kelpies sit in the middle of Helix Park, so you can see them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (and they’re even accessible on big public holidays, like Christmas).
… so if you just want to look at the sculptures, you can turn up whenever you want. Even all alone in the middle of the night, like some sort of weirdo.
And, you can, of course, wander around all of Helix Park 24/7.
That said, the surrounding attractions (and some of the surrounding conveniences) have time limits and price limits:
- The Helix Visitor Center is typically open 7 days a week, from 9.30am until 5pm. It’s closed on Christmas Day, and on other occasional public holidays.
- The Plaza Café is typically open 7 days a week, from 10am until 5pm. Again, it’ll be closed on Christmas Day, and might be closed on other special occasions.
- The Helix Car Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here, you’ll find free parking, but it’s a 0.6-mile (1km) walk from the Kelpies. Find it on Google Maps at FK3 8YE.
- The Kelpies Car Park isn’t free (the specific prices often change, depending on seasons), but it’s very close to the Kelpies. It opens at 8am every day, and closes at either 10pm (from April until October) or 8pm (from November until March). It’s listed on Google Maps at FK2 7ZT.
When you should visit depends upon what sort of experience you’re looking for:
… if you want a busy ol’ time, head there in summer, on a weekend morning. If you don’t want a busy time, head there in colder months, or on a weekday afternoon (or both).
Getting to the Kelpies
To get from central Falkirk to the Kelpies, the quickest way is to drive—the journey takes less than 10 minutes.
Most visitors use public transport—many buses run from the city center to the Kelpies (popular routes include the 28, the 2, the 2A, and the 4). Your entire journey will take between 15 and 25 minutes depending on which route you take… and you’ll have to finish any journey with a 10-minute walk.
Alternatively, you can walk all the way there from central Falkirk. The walk takes around 45 minutes.
Or if you have a bicycle, hop on it and ride from Falkirk to the Kelpies. The ride measures in at around 2.5 miles (4km). If you don’t have your own bike, hire one from the excellent Greenrigg Cycles (which, as we’ve mentioned, lies a frustratingly-long 60-minute walk from the center of Falkirk).
Because they sit in an accessible part of central Scotland, you can easily drive to the Kelpies from both Edinburgh and Glasgow (the journey takes around 1 hour from Edinburgh, and around 50 minutes from Glasgow). If you’re visiting the Kelpies from either of those places by public transport, you’ll need to go via central Falkirk (there are no direct connections).
Entry Fees, Tours, and Accessibility Information
If you just want to look at the Kelpies or stroll around Helix Park, you don’t need to pay anything—and if you go to the Helix Car Park, you’ll find free parking. So you just park up, walk around, and enjoy a nice free day. Lovely!
If you want to enter the Kelpies, you will have to pay—and you can only enter the Kelpies on a guided tour from the Helix Visitor Center. The tours last 30 minutes, they currently cost less than £10 per person, and they focus on the design and engineering of the structures. More details here.
Most parts of the park are very accessible and well-paved, so a Kelpies trip is suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and bicycles. The site also offers some disabled parking bays.
Pro Tips for Visiting the Kelpies
- Check the weather forecast: the Kelpies are outdoors (as is the park they’re inside). So if the weather is bad, you’ll have a bad time.
- Take a raincoat: and even if the forecast predicts good weather, take a raincoat anyway. This is Scotland, and Scotland gets a lot of (often unexpected) rain.
- The Kelpies are worth seeing during the day and at night, because (as we’ve covered), they’re all lit up in the evening. If you have time, get there before sunset, and watch them go from unlit to lit. They light up around sunset each night.
Before You Go
Alright, that’s everything you need to know about the Kelpies in Falkirk!
Again, they’re definitely worth visiting—they’re one of the most interesting attractions in central Scotland, and they’re especially good at night. Oh, and make sure you explore other parts of Helix Park too.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and we’ll see you again soon. Enjoy those big weird horses!
For more strange attractions in Scotland, here’s the Scottish pyramid you never knew existed. And here are Scotland’s best Harry Potter locations.
