A couple of weeks ago Anna and I decided to take a trip one afternoon from Bishopbriggs over to Falkirk to see something neither of us had yet seen: The Kelpies. I'd been reminded of them recently in Blogland by Violet Sky who has been inside them and who has done several posts. Anna and I decided just to stay on the outside (I couldn't have climbed up or, rather, having climbed up I'd be unlikely to get down easily).
The links to the Kelpies website above will shows some exceptional photos far better than I could ever have the opportunity to take but here's a few tasters of the 30 metre high sculptures:
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I've shown the last photo because it shows the red barriers close up. The sculptures have a water ditch around their bases. It's an interesting feature. I don't know what happened to require the unsightly barriers but presumably either someone decided to fall into the (very shallow water) or the Health and Safety Police deemed it a hazard. Whatever the answer it's an eyesore and I hope it's sorted out soon.
Whatever one thinks of the photos seeing the sculptures in the flesh (to use a rather inapposite phrase) is so much better. If you can I'm sure all who've seen them would suggest you do too.
They do kind of jump out at you as you drive past, especially if you don't know they are there in advance! I'm not sure about them yet, but then again I hated the angel of the north initially and now quite like it, so I guess they'll grow on me too.
ReplyDeleteI'd be surprised if you weren't impressed if you saw them close up Mark.
DeleteWow. We must get a pair of those over here, immediately! (as you know, but some of your readers might not: my town striving to collect BIG art lately...)
ReplyDeleteThey would go down really well in your town Monica: I'm sure of that.
DeleteThey're magnificent, but what a shame about the barriers. Maybe they're temporary?
ReplyDeleteI suspect if there was a problem with the 'ditch' then a more appropriate permanet barrier will eventually be constructed. Who knows though. I shall try and find out.
DeleteI am not a sculpture drainage engineer. Whoever was should be sued for his fee.
DeleteLeave the ditch. pop land drainage pipe in and fill to ground level with cobbles. If cobbles are deemed dangerous then stop them a couple of inches short and finish with free draining Asphalt. The job would be perfek.
I only charge £10k a minute so that's £30k they owe me.,,, fell free to take 10% commission.
It's all very strange Adrian.The 'ditch' round them looks very deliberately like a part of the whole project: possibly to deter people from getting right up to it and touching it and perhaps getting fingers trapped or whatever. All very peculiar. Anyway they are obviously going to have to do something.
DeleteI assumed it was for collecting rain water. The water was pouring off them the day I visited.
DeleteBe interesting to see them after heavy snow or covered in ice.
That's so obvious Adrian now you've mentioned it. They would have to have something like that. It could be covered by a grating I suppose which would be a lot less unsightly than railings.
DeleteAwesome... Love them.
ReplyDeleteThe fence is very normal to Christchurch eyes :)
Yes it would be normal there Fiona but this is a new project and it looks like someone has mad a booboo somewhere along the line. I may be wrong though.
DeleteThey are stunning. I would love to see them lit at night. Your second and third shots are wonderful. I was overwhelmed by them and the torrential rain when I visited. Only a philistine could ruin the sculptures with road works fences.
ReplyDeleteThanks Adrian. I'd love to see them lit at night too.
DeleteThey certainly are impressive! Thanks for the link - they are beautiful at night in the pics on that site.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Pauline.
DeleteI'm glad you went to see them. Aren't they magnificent?!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are great - I wish our visit hadn't been curtailed by a sudden downpour.
I wonder if the sculptor knows about this abomination of a fence?
And there's no climbing involved when you get inside, so take advantage of the tour next time!
They are wonderful VS. We were very lucky with the weather but then we decided to go because it was a nice afternoon. Thanks for the information about the inside. The fence is, I hope, a very temporary solution to the problem.
DeleteImpressive! The large size is very surprising.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly surprises you when you are them Red even when you know they are going to be large.
DeleteI really like them - but then I'm a sucker for large sculptures as you know from visiting the Dream in St Helens with Jo and I. (The Angel of the North being an exception). As for the barriers - yuck, or even double yuck!
ReplyDeleteCJ I'm in two minds about the Angel of the North but these are really wonderful and really capture the spirit of the animals.
DeleteI saw images of these during the referendum coverage and thought they were absolutely wonderful. One of the things I would like to see next time I go to Scotland. Perhaps I should do a tour of the big sculpture of Britain - the Angel of the North I suspect looks better from a distance than close up but I would still like to see it. I haven't even seen it from a distance!
ReplyDeleteJenny you certainly won't be disappointed by the Kelpies. I'm still in two minds about the Angel of the North: it's certainly impressive!
DeleteInterestingly I only really appreciated the Angel of the North after actually visiting it. I'd seen it from the A1 a number of times as the car zipped past, but it was only when stood at it's feet that I connected with it in anyway. Now I really quite like it, even when viewed at 50mph from the car.
DeleteWow, that is something to see.
ReplyDeleteI think your photos look really good myself.
A lovely visit GB, I am truly impressed with their awesome beauty....I love sculptures.
ReplyDeleteI spent a considerable amount of time on the website learning about the conception and fabrication....incredible.
Thanks for posting.
I'm glad you enjoyed the stories of the Kelpies Virginia.
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