Turning to Water with The Kelpies

The Kelpies are 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits), standing next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near River Carron, in The Helix, a new parkland project built to connect 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area, Scotland.

Kelpie, or water kelpie, is the Scots name given to a shape-shifting water spirit inhabiting the lochs and pools of Scotland. It has usually been described as appearing as a horse, but is able to adopt human form. Some accounts state that the kelpie retains its hooves when appearing as a human. (Wikipedia) I'm not sure I would like to meet a kelpie but the statues are pretty amazing especially when lit up.  

The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. The sculptures form a gateway at the eastern entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal, and the new canal extension built as part of The Helix land transformation project. The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland.

The sculptures were opened to the public in October 2013 . As part of the project, they will have their own visitor centre, and sit beside a newly developed canal turning pool and extension. This canal extension reconnects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the River Forth, and improves navigation between the East and West of Scotland. (Wikipedia)

I would also like you to check out the gallery of Edinburgh artist Luna Smith. Click on Gallery and then scroll to the bottom of the page to see some wonderful paintings of Scotland including my beloved Perthshire.

We also need to welcome aboard a new subscriber from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia which is one of Australia's most beautiful cities. C of Newcastle is an artist, predominantly using mixed media and I hope that along the way you will be able to see some of her works.  

I am going to use the water spirits as inspiration to introduce to you some blogs on water structures. To commence the discussion we are going to look at drinking fountains.