Duke and Baron are 10; celebrating on a sunny Saturday with thousands of friends at the Helix Park, Falkirk, with an array of street theatre, circus performers, artists, face painting, community stalls, a local producers’ market, Folk tales and songs from renowned Scottish storyteller James MacDonald Reid, a Clydesdale horses demo ring and a Unicorn Dance Party.
Quite a line-up! This, however, isn’t a children’s birthday party but a landmark 10th anniversary celebration of sculptor, Andy Scott’s remarkable Kelpies; an iconic creation and the world’s largest equine sculptures, standing at 30 metres tall and weighing over 300 tonnes each.
The Kelpies play a huge role in contributing a £85 million tourism spend in the Falkirk region annually and celebrate Falkirk’s agricultural and industrial heritage; marked additionally on the day by the presence and involvement of Clydesdale horses from across the country – the inspiration behind sculptor Andy Scott’s creation.
‘Andy Scott is a figurative sculptor who works on a grand scale. An Honours graduate of the renowned Glasgow School of Art in the U.K. (1986) his artworks combine traditional draftsmanship and skill with contemporary fabrication techniques, ranging in scale from 10 to 100 feet (3 to 30 metres) in height. His artworks are rich in narrative and inhabit the public realm and private estates, dramatising their environments and creating a sense of place and civic pride.’
And much pride was displayed on their special day, where locals and tourists alike, partied into the night, with an impressive concert and light show, marking the first onsite evening event at Helix Park.
Locals indeed, played an important part of this special day with free shuttle buses thanks to Midland Bluebird, community groups, such as Sing Forth Choir and pipe bands, providing entertainment, culminating in a huge family ceilidh under The Kelpies, with chart-topping ceilidh band, Whisky Kiss, accompanied by their Oscar winning piper, setting the scene and the upbeat mood.
As the sun fell, the stage was set for the evening with The Kelpies dressed appropriately, thanks to impressive lighting; playing a star attraction part, at their evening party. As the crowds gathered and following a screening of Walid Salhab’s short anniversary film, “The Kelpies’, Duke and Baron bowed and reared, as if in respect, of acts including Rebecca Vasmant – an internationally-acclaimed music artist from Glasgow, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and a fire show from Pyroceltica. The evening culminated in a 60-minute set from the fast-rising Scottish star, Callum Beattie.
Huge congratulations to all involved in this spectacular event; a memorable day, marking a notable achievement and one which continues to attract visitors to the area.
Must Links:
The Helix, home of the Kelpies, is an outdoor recreational 5-star attraction with Green Flag accreditation, situated between Falkirk and Grangemouth. It connects and engages with 17 communities through an extensive path network, stretching over 27km, with facilities including a lagoon, splash-play, adventure play zone, and visitor centre featuring a gift shop, café, and exhibition. Since the Kelpies were launched in 2014, Helix Park has welcomed over seven million visitors worldwide.
‘Secrets hiding in plain sight’ promo video on The Helix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdg5BoEhhZY&t=160s
Scottish Canals: https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/