When the spectacular Kelpies were unveiled back in 2014 no one could have possibly predicted the massive impact they would have. Their creator Andy Scott said recently: “I hope they become a proud cultural landmark for the area in years to come and enhance the town’s position as a great place to live and work. They’ve achieved some very inspiring figures in terms of visitor numbers and investment in the area in their first ten years and I hope this continues well into the future.” There is every sign it will, such is the impact of what is one of Scotland’s Top 10 tourist sites. Falkirk today is a brilliant place to visit and The Kelpies are a huge part of that. If you’ve never explored the town – or just not been for a while – here are nine reasons you must visit The Kelpies, the Helix and delve deeper into Falkirk. What are you waiting for?
1. THE Kelpies
Andy Scott’s miraculous creations are the world’s largest equine sculptures, soaring 30m above Falkirk. Remarkably they weigh over 300 tonnes each. These works of art were commissioned by Scottish Canals and have become iconic on the landscape of Central Scotland, putting Falkirk firmly back on the map. Duke is the one looking down and Baron is the one looking up. Clearly they are inspiring and in their own inspiration Scott drew from both Scottish mythology and the lumbering Clydesdale horses that used to work so hard here in Falkirk’s industrial heyday.
2. The Helix
The Helix is Falkirk’s great green lung, for me one of the great urban parks of Europe. It is a brilliant outdoor recreational five-star attraction with Green Flag accreditation, demonstrating Falkirk Council’s commitment to sustainability and creating an oasis devoted to mental health and wellbeing. It opened in 2013 and you’ll find its heart in the area immediately around the Kelpies. The Helix is very accessible to as many people as possible, with flat pathways, e-bikes, changing places and even an accessible play area.
3. The Wider Helix
As well as being the ‘Home of The Kelpies’, the wider Helix is part of a network that connects 17 communities through an extensive path network, spreading its green tentacles out over 27km. The park offers a bird-kissed lagoon, splash-play, and an adventure play zone. I love just wandering around with my family exploring this life-affirming oasis. The Helix opened in 2013 and is operated by Falkirk Council, who are continually striving to improve it and develop it for the people who live here and who come from all over.
4. Falkirk Town Centre
When I hear people visit The Kelpies and the Helix and don’t actually also pop into the centre of Falkirk my heart sinks. Falkirk is a great town set in a great location with the Ochil Hills looming large in the background across the Forth. There is the traditional High Street, the heart of the pedestrianised town centre and the Howgate, a shopping centre alive with retail possibilities. The wee streets that break off the High Street are alive with independent business too. If you want to really dig into Falkirk’s fascinating story, then follow the Town Centre Heritage Trail.
5. Get out there!
I love the work that the National Lottery-backed Inner Forth Futures are doing. The Inner Forth Futures (IFF) partnership are working to make the Inner Forth a “better place to live, work, visit and invest in, by helping to promote its natural and cultural heritage, and sustainable transport options.” The scope of their work is massive, taking in 215km square kilometres. I really like that they are consulting communities on what they want rather than just being prescriptive. Get on their website and check out the map that showcases specific projects and areas where you can go to walk and cycle. Check out their latest work on climate issues too – Climate FORTH.
6. Callendar calls
Callendar Park is on the Inner Forth Futures website and is essential to visit. Before The Helix, Callendar Park was the original Falkirk green lung spreading its bucolic tentacles across 170 acres. I remember coming here to play as a wee boy and kids today can still run around the pathways and ramble around the new Roman Fort themed play area next to the kiosk. There is an adventurous new Natural Play trail too and you can extend your natural exploration into Callendar Wood too. Look out too for a section of the Roman Antonine Wall, built back in 142AD. I’ve done a 10km park run here too and it’s a brilliant venue for running.
7. Callendar House
Don’t leave Falkirk without visiting this four-star visitor attraction, which is set in a beautiful 14th-century French chateau style house. Also keep an eye out for events and exhibitions in Callendar House. There is a period working Georgian kitchen, a visitor tea room with views of the park and fantastic kids play park. The exhibits focus on ‘The Story of Callendar House’, sweeping from the 11th to the 19th centuries, and also take in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Antonine Wall, ‘Rome’s Northern Frontier’, and ‘Falkirk: Crucible of Revolution 1750-1850’. This is the place to come and learn more about Falkirk.
8. Return of Rosebank
The huge news this year is that Rosebank Distillery has been brought back to life and is due to reopen in June. Leonard Russell, MD of Ian Macleod Distillers, the people behind this resurrected distillery, has been quoted as saying that this is “a once in a lifetime opportunity” and it certainly is. I cannot wait to taste the Lowland malts that will soon pour forth from this very welcome return of a distillery that closed back in 1993. As they say at the distillery, “Against all the odds – Rosebank is back”. Take a tour behind this reborn icon to learn more.
9. The Falkirk Wheel and Canal
This is literally nothing quite like the world’s only rotating boat lift, which opened in 2002. This vaulting testament to modern Scottish engineering and Falkirk’s industrial backbone – a 1,800 tonne boat lift – is a sheer joy. The Falkirk Wheel was built to reconnect the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 metres high above, which used to be connected by a system of 11 locks. Rather than tackle 44 local gates you now only need to relax and take in the views. What amazes me apart from the sheer scale and elegance is that it only takes the power you would need to boil eight kettles, using just 1.5kWh for each rotation.
Further Information
Scottish Canals and Falkirk Leisure and Culture
* This post comes in association with Falkirk Council.
