Scottish Canals have launched Scotland’s newest visitor attraction – The Kelpies Experience and they are a great day trip from Dumfries and Galloway – 1 hr 54 min (90.0 mi) via M74 drive from Dumfries.
The canal custodians have partnered with Zone Events to bring participants a unique opportunity to climb safely to the top of the inside of The Kelpies.
The Kelpies – the world’s largest equine sculptures who stand 98 feet tall against the Falkirk skyline, are ready to share their secrets.
The Kelpies Experience will challenge participants, of all ages to tackle a 25 metre aerial climb, taking them straight to the horse’s mouth.
The inspiring experience will also tell the fascinating story of the Clydesdale – the horse that powered the industrial revolution around the world.
As well as testing visitors on the specially-designed climb expert guides will share the history of Scotland’s canals, the vital role played by the Clydesdale Horse and how this inspired internationally renowned sculptor Andy Scott.
The Kelpies Experience is a premium, aerial visitor attraction while immersing participants in Scotland’s fascinating industrial history, awe-insuring art and world class engineering.
The experience involves ascending 25 metres to the mouth of Baron (the head up Kelpie in Falkirk) using a series of ladders, cable crossings, suspended platforms and nets before descending, by abseil, or quick flight, a thrilling option that gives the feeling of free falling before gently lowering you to the ground.
The highlight of the climb is reaching the Kelpie’s mouth and being rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Forth & Clyde Canal, the nearby Helix parklands and on a clear day you might even catch a glimpse of the distant hills and the town of Falkirk.
The new attraction will provide a valuable platform not only for a unique experience, but for the generation of much needed income by charities and other organisations. The Kelpies experience will only be available initially for large group bookings or by signing up to support one of our charity fundraiser events.
Scottish Canals are now actively seeking more fantastic charities to partner with. The experience is launched during the same year that the magnificent structures celebrated their 10th anniversary.
Since their launch, Helix Park has welcomed over seven million visitors from all over the world; The Kelpies play a huge role in contributing to a £85 million tourism spend in the Falkirk region annually.
Scottish Canals’ Chief Executive Officer John Paterson said: “We are incredibly excited to create this unique challenge. This is a truly amazing experience and will allow visitors from across the world to step inside our magnificent Kelpies and discover the secrets that lie inside all while experiencing a 25-metre aerial journey straight to the horse’s mouth. Those who enjoy this epic experience will undoubtedly leave with a memory of a lifetime.”
Scottish Canals commissioned internationally renowned artist and sculptor Andy Scott to create the awe-inspiring Kelpies and he says he is looking forward to others getting to see his artwork from a different perspective.
He said: “I believe the experience will give an even greater understanding of just what an incredible achievement these structures represent both as artworks and as iconic landmarks.”
To launch the event Scottish Canals are delighted to have teamed up with the Beatson Cancer Charity, who also celebrated their 10th anniversary this year, to allow them to be one of the first charities to take part in the challenge.
Charlene Low, Regional Fundraising Manager for Beatson Cancer Charity said: “We are thrilled to partner with Scottish Canals for the launch of The Kelpies Experience! It’s a fantastic way to celebrate our 10th birthday, offering our supporters a one-of-a-kind adventure inside the Kelpies while raising vital funds to support cancer patients and their families. This unforgettable experience brings people together to explore, connect, and make a real impact.”
Jono Buckland of Zone Events said: “There’s truly nothing else like it – where else can you safely climb into the mouth of the world’s largest horse head sculpture? From the initial concept to its design, construction, and operation, our shared vision with Scottish Canals has been to create an aerial adventure that also takes visitors on a journey through the rich history, engineering marvel and cultural significance of this iconic artwork.”
Enquiries are now being taken for the experience and all participants will wear full body harnesses and helmets and are always connected to safety cables.
Groups of participants will be guided by two professional and friendly guides with the experience lasting around 90 minutes.
The Kelpies are a triumph of design and engineering. Each Kelpie weighs a massive 300 tonnes (the same weight as 350 Clydesdale Horses) and is constructed from more than 18,000 individual components.
For more details on how to book the experience log onto: Kelpies.co.uk
