05/07/2017

 

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh made a Royal entrance on-board the Seagull Trust barge ‘The Wooden Spoon Seagull’ to officially open, and name, the Queen Elizabeth II Canal.

The royal couple completed the last stretch of their journey to the Kelpies sculptures in Falkirk by barge, and formally opened the new canal section in the process.

The Queen Elizabeth II Canal forms the eastern gateway to the Forth and Clyde Canal and leads to the acclaimed sculptures.

 

The Queen and Prince Philip met Kelpies’ creator, Andy Scott. They then toured the inside of the “head down” Kelpie to view the engineering work involved and unveiled a plaque to open the canal section.

Inspiration for The Kelpies came from the heavy horses which pulled boats and cargo along the towpaths of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals in their heyday. The transport arteries of the Industrial Revolution, the canals and the horses that walked them played a huge role in the development of the area. The sculptures’ name was derived from the mythical Celtic water horses which could transform their shape, and which were reputed to have the strength of 10 horses and the endurance of many more.

 

Originally envisioned as a moving boat lift, during the early design process the notion of The Kelpies changed to monumental sculptures symbolising the industrial past of both the canal and the communities that line its banks. Glasgow-based artist Andy Scott – Scotland’s best-known equine sculptor – transformed The Kelpies from idea to reality, imagining a colossal gateway towering either side of the canal to welcome weary sailors and visitors to the nation’s hospitable shores.

 

You can find up-coming events for the Kelpies here.