The Kelpies - Scotland's shape-shifting water spirits

The Kelpies - Andy Scott's giant sculpture of the mythical, shape-shifting water-horses. But what is the legend attached to these creatures? And why are they in Falkirk?
Follow my adventures as I travel through the landscapes and history of Scotland. I make quick, quirky and (hopefully) funny content about Scotland's past, people and scenery.
I look for the hidden stories, forgotten people and beautiful scenery of Scotland and try to find the funny in the darkness, obscurity and occasional absurdity of our history.
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Filmed on Apple iPhone 11
For all opportunities, please contact [e-mail]

[@pirththee]

What's kind of ridiculous is the first time I heard about Kelpies was from watching Japanese anime.

[@scotlandunplugged]

😂

[@roxanneross8265]

Hauntingly Beautiful Thank you so much, I am an Artist in California and now I am inspired by your story to do a painting based on the Legend of these Mythical Creatures. I Love Your Channel♡♡♡

[@scotlandunplugged]

Awesome! Thank you! 🙂

[@raeanngalentine9900]

What a storyteller you are! I have enjoyed your voice and your words for a while and I never grow tired of listening to you. I am waiting for the Parker Bros channel to appear so I can hear all three of you being brothers togethers. Thank you

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Thank you! I'm not sure KZbin is ready for that!

[@pamelaconkin1361]

Love to hear the stories. As a horse lover of Scottish ancestry I’ve always loved the kelpies stories even if they are morbid. I wonder how many children the stories saved from drowning

[@scotlandunplugged]

Its an interesting question. Must be a lot! 🙂

[@Ganpignanus]

same but i am only newly aware of the story of them.

[@ramonadixon1291]

That was an intriguing story. The sculptures are beautiful and they do have a bit of an eerie sense about them at night. Again, it was a beautiful story and you did a fantastic job telling it!

[@joycefuller9177]

They are beautiful at night.

[@skyedancer3106]

Oh, but they are amazing looking. ❤

[@shirleylaboy603]

Wow, they are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. 🙂❤️

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@kathleendolan2062]

I have two pet kelpies. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Ganpignanus]

i have one. plus all his friends who live with him. big ones and little ones.

[@alanaw27]

I live near the Kelpies and the park and canals round them have become a regular meeting place for families and locals as well as tourists. They really are awe inspiring and well worth a visit. The Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift is also well worth a visit.

[@jodifinnegan4453]

I loved the Kelpies at night. Amazing! I loved the story even more!! Great video!!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@triciagreer9130]

love listening to you tell the stories Thank you so much for the work you do

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@lindawall6504]

Love all things horse. Waterhorses, Kelpies, Unicorns, pegasus, and non mythical horses. Your story was skillfully told and enlightening. ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@bethotoole6569]

... and don't skip church. Yup,, I figured that'd be in the 'lesson' 😂😂😂 Magnificent sculptures

[@scotlandunplugged]

There’s always a lesson 😂😂😂

[@bethotoole6569]

@@scotlandunplugged Especially when it relates to not missing church😂😂

[@spinningjinn]

Thanks for this! They were built after my last visit, so I've only seen pictures. And the photos didn't do justice to the grand scale of them. They are even more spectacular at night! I love your channel!

[@scotlandunplugged]

They're quite something. Thank you!

[@bronte7972]

Funnily enough, i have an Australian Kelpie. It’s a dog breed here in Aus that are extremely smart and energetic. Used commonly on farms ^_^

[@scotlandunplugged]

I had no idea about the dogs but kept getting pictures of them when I was researching this.

[@kathleendolan2062]

Their names are Angus and Kelethene

[@scotlandunplugged]

Good names! 🙂

[@clf7729]

I thought it was Duke and Baron.

[@cindyrissal3628]

I didn't realize they were horse-like creatures. I always thought they were only human-like. They are magnificent after dark!

[@jamesparkersculpture]

Great video. Well done!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Cheers! Well worth the trip back at 10pm 😂

[@nathanwight1527]

Wow! What a beautiful set of sculptures! Simply amazing

[@toscadonna]

In Slavic lore, we have water spirits called the “rusalki” who are the unfortunate spirits of unwanted, single pregnant women who were drowned by their lovers, unwanted illegitimate babies, and other similarly unlucky people. They’re lonely and want company in the watery depths. There’s even an opera about one of them called, “Rusalka.”

[@scotlandunplugged]

That's interesting. Pretty dark as well.

[@bloodreport146]

these are not the murderess horses Andy Scott had in mind when he created these particular Kelpies.

[@patpierce4854]

Stunning! Even if their originals do like to eat humans!

[@annettecusher-jq5wt]

The sculptures are amazing. Great storytelling. As always i enjoyed it.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@junesmith852]

Wow they are amazing eh 😍...if you don't mind me saying, you have quite a "posh" Scottish accent 😂😂...I don't think we have much of an accent in Perth, although im a half breed..Scottish/ Irish 😅😅

[@kayhansen1674]

Those are amazing and at night incredible.

[@haggielady]

So beautiful. Day or night. Thank you.

[@jadejoannejackson6232]

Beautiful! Love watching your video's

[@boreeltje42]

What a beautyfull and mysterieus story! They are stunning at night!

[@scotlandunplugged]

They are!

[@jldisme]

Wow! Would love to see them in person someday.

[@amypeterman9387]

❤absolutely amazing video Thank you so much Robert Loved this ! The evening video shots were amazing also thanks for including that😃spectacular work!!!!😘

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you. Definitely worth the trip back!

[@TheCelticPony]

Omg! Hi from Ontario Canada. I love your videos thanks for sharing please don’t stop. Sorry but I have to give props to your little bro for letting me know you exist, LOL! 😉 If you ever decide to make a list of places to stay so ppl can best tour the area one day that would be amazing!!! You clearly put great thought, time and hard work into your videos. Great job! I can’t say enough how much I appreciate your work.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you. I'll definitely do a recommendation of things to do in Scotland video soon!

[@jeffreyshier9021]

Sorry, I had to watch the Hoof GP first. A rare dew claw trimming.😂😂😂

[@scotlandunplugged]

😂😂😂

[@annettecusher-jq5wt]

I watched that one earlier today. Lol and the one with Super Craigie boy.

[@momnoah5]

Beautiful sculptures; horrifying stories. I love it!

[@nadinedeeren9861]

Very naughty fey. I'll take the handsome older man😂😂😂 make him look like Sir Sean (lord don't let my hubby see this). Thank you for the tale.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Sir Sean did grow up next to the canal in Fountainbridge.

[@raymcginn2952]

One of my favorite memories of my visit to Scotland

[@whiskeycook3323]

I asked my clan McKenzie guide why the horses were constructed. His reply” because we’re Scots”. I guess that said it all.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Sounds like a good reason :-)

[@monicaramer8893]

I love love love your videos, they’re so informative, curious. I can’t wait to go to Scotland. Brazilian, I am. Living in California for a very long time.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@lindaarmstrongjackman9788]

Amazing! The Kelpies look so beautiful, almost haunting when lit up. 👍👍😊

[@scotlandunplugged]

Pretty easy on the eye :-)

[@jeffreyshier9021]

Very cool.

[@Catherine-2008]

First time viewer from Canada. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@annebell7274]

Been there several times. I love horses, I love the Kelpies. Beautiful 👍👍💛💛💛👍👍

[@carleemckaskill6026]

Wow they’re really beautiful 😍

[@lillybell6024]

They are beautiful statues however your brother could have done them better 😂 thanks for such an interesting story.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. That sounds like a challenge...

[@cindysplace]

Very beautiful and quite a feat!

[@themorrigan5966]

Found you from your brother but stayed for the lore stories and accent. Great content!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@barbridingsTheResinator]

Nice camera work! Those are massive Kelpies! Great story

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@tinahale9252]

Amazing... Looks like each panel was cut out with a CNC layer. Using different programs. Stunning

[@sherryvogwill7414]

😅Love watching. But I feel you are too close to the Camera. No idea why.....

[@scotlandunplugged]

I kind of know what you mean 😂 It would be handy if I could zoom it out a bit

[@sherryvogwill7414]

​@@scotlandunplugged need long arms... 😂Also stunning at night.. Wow👌

[@kathleenmuller306]

Amazing! And the folk story is so cool, especially your explanation of it!!!❤ K.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@denniskennedyjr.9128]

That is really amazing, thank you for sharing this! Your commentary was excellent I thought! God bless !

[@annvanwesten2488]

Ok, that does it!! I simply MUST visit Scotland! Your videos are amazing!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Thank you!

[@salchipapa5843]

First time seeing these statues. What a cool video.

[@MaloPlayz]

10 minute walk from my house! 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@bjoeljones]

Braw video, Lad. Slàinte Mhath🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@bronwentillman8385]

😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

[@scotlandunplugged]

🙂

[@IamGulzow]

Oy, whatcha really gots ta werry about is silkies riding kelpies. Them'll gettcha.

[@Annie6460]

Oh for sure they must be seen in the dark! ❤️🇦🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Amarah.Animates]

As someone who is scottish, we really do have some beautiful creatures and myths.

[@suellenspencer-eb2nv]

How beautiful they are at night. Thank you for this video. Blessings to you.

[@jeffwolcott7815]

The kelpie stories I've heard, they never eat the human's liver. Strange, I've heard liver is tasty and nutricious.

[@midgetuley4262]

How beautiful and fascinating 😍 thank you for sharing this!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@patriciamccormack7626Teashee]

Magnificent sculptures ❤ Thank you so much for sharing 👍❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching! :-)

[@robynsnest22]

I thought the Kelpies were in tribute to the horses that pulled barges along the rivers during the steel building days? Weren't they modelled after two well known horses? So beautiful by night, definitely will make the effort to see them this summer after dark.

[@peckelhaze6934]

I have lived in the UK for 73 years and this is the first time I have heard about them. I have even been to Scotland several times. They are magnificent.

[@grahamhill2267]

I’ve never been affected by sculptures before, but those are beautiful! Another great story!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@herenow6953]

I'm going to see them on Friday and came here for some background research - wow! I can't wait to get there and see these beauties for real -

[@Ganpignanus]

they are phenomenal. they look like my horse. a huge amount of talent and work to design and make these beauties. i will add them to my list of things to see when i get to visit scotland.

[@allentowngal4769]

They're amazing! ..but the stories remind me of the radical GOP right-wing conspiracy theories here in the U.S. 😏😉

[@scotlandunplugged]

Hahaha. I never thought of that!

[@jennifermorgan6913]

These are awesome! thanks!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@Official_NOLIMIT]

“Why are they here…and what do they want?” Had me crying💀💀💀

[@lisaevans5840]

One of my favorite sculptures.

[@alicegamble6145]

Great video. Amazing story. The scenery is so beautiful & those sculptures are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@saraholsen9128]

Is this like the Silkies from the movie ‘The Secret of Roan Inish’? Beautiful sculptures and a wonderful story!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Selkies are seal people. I had to look up the difference!

[@stephenoran2019]

Very cool! Art for art's sake! Those things are amazing (especially after dark)! Thanks for this. Keep up the great work.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@shannonmccabe6183]

This is fascinating! I live in the southwest of the US and we have a similar folk story about staying away from waterways, called La Llrona. Llrona was a beautiful woman who was said to have drowned her own children in a fit of rage. Now she's said to roam waterways wailing for her children, but her wails are said to draw children to her, whereupon she drowns them, just like she did her own children. Interesting the folk stories we humans make, and how they all end up so similar, across the planet. Vengeful water spirits trying to kill children seems to be a pretty universal thing. Thank you for the story of the kelpies! The sculpture is absolutely entrancing, especially at night!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Wow. That’s quite a story. It is strange, how universal these things are. I suppose they tap into our worst fears 😅

[@elisaalber]

Wow, the sculptors are wonderful!

[@scotlandunplugged]

They're not bad :-)

[@kimberlypatton205]

They are magnificent! Please more !

[@phylliscook-se7mx]

Beautiful kelpies, story well told ❤

[@lovelyskull3483]

Beautiful tale and sculptures.

[@stephaniehallman9749]

No guts, no glory! 😂😂 Another great video. Thanks!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@gg110888]

Wow! I think those are the most beautiful sculptures I’ve ever seen! Thanks 😊 ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@ashlieghteixeira9034]

Wow, they are just gorgeous at night!!

[@Hailstonepie]

I so want to go on the Falkirk wheel. Can you do that one please .

[@LakeTahoeGem]

Much better lore than water babies!

[@debraanneclark2188]

Such stunnng pieces of art las imei was up in Kincardine i went through to the falkirk wheel and the two smaller kelpies models were there but the full size beasts are just stunning from the out side and the inside. At night is when they really come to life all lit up and colour changing

[@scotlandunplugged]

Absolutely!

[@bas4903]

And here I am thinking it's a dog...

[@angicatron8512]

Beautiful! in a scary kind of way

[@wendywhite4537]

Cool. They are beautiful.

[@LeonTroutskiunplugged]

Loving your channel!

[@Iris_Germany]

😮 fascinating stories, thank you and many greetings from Germany 😊

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! Greetings from Scotland!

[@abusaqrtubs2460]

amazing

[@camerongibson6342]

Another great video Robert,never been to the Kelpies thanks for all the information

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@KnitWitch]

Absolutely stunning

[@shelliewerner5624]

AMAZING !!!

[@sassy6292]

Those sculptures give me goosebumps. They are absolutely beyond beautiful. Thank you for showing them to us.

[@herstoryswitness]

Magnificent!

[@HappiestGirl69]

You’re such a great storyteller! And I fell for my husband’s Scottish accent when I met him, but now I wish it were more like yours and less like a Borders laddie who’s been in America for almost 22 years! 😂

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Thank you! Even my accent isn't the same as lit was 22 years ago. Too much time in Edinburgh! :-)

[@lindasworld5238]

Great presentation! You're getting good at this! 😂

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 😁

[@Emma-Jayne]

Beautiful ❤