The Kelpies, Falkirk

This will be a walk following a short section of the Queen Elizabeth II canal leading to the massive iconic Kelpies.

The kelpies are described in ancient folklore as shape-shifting water spirits inhabiting the inland waters of Scotland. They have been portrayed in various forms in art and literature but most commonly as beautiful and abnormally powerful horses with tales of them luring children and men who dared to touch or ride them to their deaths.

In April 2014, Andy Scott’s vision for a socio-historical monument to celebrate the horse’s role in local industry, agriculture as well as a direct link with canal tow horses was made real when these 30m tall figures, modelled on Clydesdale horses, formally opened connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the River Forth.

Access to walk around the Kelpies and explore the canal basin is free.

For those who wish to come early there is an optional extra - to take the tour where a Helix guide will take you around the site and inside one of the Kelpies. These run regularly each day at set times, the last one is at 15.30 and it takes approx. 25 mins. Advance booking of a ticket is recommended (not included in this event - this is optional for those who are interested)

There will be larger vista's including the canal and the kelpies to capture as well as a host of smaller details. There are 2 locks which may have water cascading over them. Swans are frequently found on the canal and sometimes in the basin in front of the Kelpies. There may be canal barges moored along the edges of the water (some are residential). With water, there is always the possibility of interesting reflections.

The visitor center (Cafe, shop, toilets) is open from 9am - 5pm (shop & toilets open until 8pm)

We will be walking on tarmac, concrete slab pavements or tiled areas most of the time therefor no special footwear is required, just comfortable shoes. There are large areas of grass which may be soft if there has been recent rain, so if you choose to go off the path seeking out the perfect composition then just be aware it might be muddy and slippy. If you choose to explore more of Helix park then there are wooden boardwalks through the wetland area - but those areas are not planned for this event.

Special equipment: If you want to capture both Kelpies with their entire reflections in the canal basin then a wide angle lens will be needed - e.g. 16mm. You may want to use neutral density filters to slow the exposure in order to smooth out water. A tripod is suggested as exposure times will increase as it gets darker. Grad filters can also be useful when balancing sky and reflections.