Adventures Around Scotland
  • Home
    • ABOUT ADVENTURES AROUND SCOTLAND
  • SCOTLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
  • SCOTLAND TRAVEL BLOG
  • TRAVEL CONSULTATION
  • WORK WITH ME
  • EXPLORE SCOTLAND
    • ABERDEENSHIRE
    • ANGUS
    • ARGYLL
    • AYRSHIRE
    • BORDERS
    • CAITHNESS
    • CENTRAL
    • DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
    • DUNDEE
    • EDINBURGH
    • FIFE
    • GLASGOW
    • HIGHLANDS
    • SCOTTISH ISLANDS >
      • Firth of Clyde
      • Inner Hebrides
      • Outer Hebrides
      • Orkney Islands
    • LANARKSHIRE
    • LOCH LOMOND
    • MORAY
    • PERTHSHIRE
    • SUTHERLAND
    • SCOTLAND ROAD TRIPS
  • GET IN TOUCH

Launch Night Of The Kelpies

18/5/2014

 
If there was one Scottish event I wasn't going to miss this year, it was the launch of The Kelpies.  These two 30 metre, 300 tonne, stainless steel horse heads have captured my heart from the beginning.
I love that there is something mystical and ethereal about them as they shimmer in the light and give the impression that they could come to life at any moment.
Picture
The opening night saw a clear blue sky over Falkirk which slowly coloured to orange as the sun began to set.  I stood in a snaking queue with excited anticipation at the much hyped fire, light and sound show which was about to take place.
While everyone stood waiting in the now chilly evening, we were entertained by poets, musicians and street performers, all setting the mood for the event ahead.
Picture
Slowly we made our way into Helix Park, an area that has been recently regenerated into a greenspace and area of biodiversity, also home to The Kelpies, one of the largest equine statues in the world, designed by Scottish sculptor,Andy Scott.
Named 'Home', the launch of these massive structures was also an occasion to mark the opening of the first John Muir Festival, celebrating the founding father of the global conservation movement.
Picture
The pathway through the park had been dotted with art installations including coloured water features, burning peat fires and a caravan with images projected on to it providing a feast for all the senses.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
By the time people reached the bridge to the actual Kelpies, the galloping sound of horses and dramatic music from the show, designed by Groupe F, could be heard drifting over the canal along with the glow of pyrotechnic flames. Eventually we were allowed to cross the bridge and the full spectacle, lights, flames and Tron like figures, were revealed for the first time.  
I spent the next 2 hours soaking up a truly memorable experience which was everything I'd hoped it would be. Photos will never do it justice but hopefully will give you a taste what a magical night it was.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The show ran on cycles of 15 minutes, each ending with applause from a suitably impressed audience.  After walking the full circuit of the canal basin and taking a huge amount of photos it was time to head home after a night that really lived up to the hype.
Picture
Picture
Picture

Never miss an update, sign up for my Free Monthly Newsletter

* indicates required

Comments are closed.

    Follow my Scotland travel adventures on social media

    Sign up for my monthly newsletter
    Picture

    If you have found my blog useful and would like to support me in creating future Scottish travel content, you can by me a coffee on my Ko-fi page.  All 'coffee' donations are hugely appreciated
    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Categories

    All
    Aberdeen
    Aberdeenshire
    Accommodation
    Angus
    Argyll
    Ayrshire
    Boat/Sailing Trips
    Borders
    Caithness
    Central Scotland
    Dog Friendly
    Dumfries & Galloway
    Dundee
    Edinburgh
    Events
    Fife
    General
    Gigha
    Glasgow
    Highlands
    Islands
    Islay
    Isle Of Bute
    Isle Of Colonsay
    Isle Of Cumbrae
    Isle Of Lewis
    Isle Of Skye
    Lanarkshire
    Loch Lomond
    Moray
    Orkney
    Outlander
    Perthshire
    Sutherland
    Tours
    Travel Tips
    Uist
    Walks
    Whisky

​SIGN UP TO RECEIVE MY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

NEED SOME HELP PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO SCOTLAND?  BOOK A ONE-TO-ONE VIDEO CONSULTATION

​FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES AROUND SCOTLAND ON
TWITTER
FACEBOOK

​INSTAGRAM
PINTEREST
PRIVACY POLICY
Picture


​If you have found my blog helpful or inspiring, you can support me in creating future Scottish travel content for the price of a coffee at my Ko-fi page.  All 'coffee' donations are hugely appreciated and all funds will go towards covering the running costs of my website and the occasional caffeine fix!
  • Home
    • ABOUT ADVENTURES AROUND SCOTLAND
  • SCOTLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
  • SCOTLAND TRAVEL BLOG
  • TRAVEL CONSULTATION
  • WORK WITH ME
  • EXPLORE SCOTLAND
    • ABERDEENSHIRE
    • ANGUS
    • ARGYLL
    • AYRSHIRE
    • BORDERS
    • CAITHNESS
    • CENTRAL
    • DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
    • DUNDEE
    • EDINBURGH
    • FIFE
    • GLASGOW
    • HIGHLANDS
    • SCOTTISH ISLANDS >
      • Firth of Clyde
      • Inner Hebrides
      • Outer Hebrides
      • Orkney Islands
    • LANARKSHIRE
    • LOCH LOMOND
    • MORAY
    • PERTHSHIRE
    • SUTHERLAND
    • SCOTLAND ROAD TRIPS
  • GET IN TOUCH