Rising from the ground.
Construction of The Kelpies
In an monumental feat of engineering, The Kelpies rose from the
ground in just 90 days, in late 2013.
Construction of The Kelpies began on 17th June
2013. The two enormous structures were manufactured and installed
by SH
Structures Limited. In a
remarkable feat of engineering, the sculptures rose out of the
ground in a stunning construction process, captured in all its
glory by Walid Salhab in his dramatic time-lapse stop-motion
film.
The build was officially completed on 27th November
2013, and was celebrated with a 'topping-out' ceremony featuring
Duke and Baron, the Clydesdale life models for The Kelpies.
Extending the Canal
The extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal and The Kelpies Hub
turning pool were then filled with water, and opened to boaters on
21st April 2014 - the same day The Kelpies were opened
to the public.
The construction process now switches its attention to our
visitor centre, which is due to open in 2015.
The Kelpies by numbers
- 300 tonnes each
- 30 metres high
- 1200 tonnes of steel-reinforced concrete foundations per
head
- 928 unique stainless steel skin-plates
- Built on site in 90 days
The Kelpies Maquettes
The Kelpies Maquettes - scale models of The Kelpies - were
commissioned to raise awareness of The Kelpies and The Helix, and
have proved a big hit wherever they've landed around the world.
From Sheffield to Falkirk, Edinburgh and Chicago, The Kelpies
Maquettes have built up quite a few air miles.
The 1:10 scale Maquettes even made a brief appearance in Bryant
Park, New York during Scotland Week 2014, where they didn't look
out of place amongst the glitz and glamour of the big apple.
