Latest news with #Kelpies
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
What are Kelpies? Get to know Scotland's shape-shifting, mythical river dwellers
Lost and lonely travellers on Scottish pathways should be wary... Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Wallacestone and District Pipe Band, Camelon and District Pipe Band and Falkirk Schools Pipe Band play at Kelpies 10. Pic: Mark Ferguson Scottish folklore is rich and varied, with stories of heroes, tricksters and magical, shapeshifting creatures passing from mother to child through out generations. Stories swirling around the country like whispers on the wind, creating a bedrock for the Scotland's culture, art, poetry and music. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stories to inspire, entertain, offer moral guidance and warnings to young ears. Stories to paint the world in wonder and magic. What is a Kelpie? A Kelpie is a shapeshifter and water spirit from Scottish folklore. It can be found in Scottish rivers, and can switch between human and horse, with some stories recounting that they keep their hooves, even in human form. They seek exhausted and lost travellers on the road, who, seeing the welcome sight, would climb on the back of the Kelpie - in horse form, naturally - who would take them to their watery grave. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is a hotly disputed topic as to whether Kelpies can also be associated with streams and lochs, so best be careful near any body of water, just in case. Different variations of the Kelpie The Kelpie will vary depending on who is telling the story, and which part of Scotland it comes from. Manes of serpents, backward hooves, the ability to sing and even what they do with their captives vary across the country. Nuggles, Tangies and each-uisge are all variations on the myth, lurking around Scotland's coast lines, lochs and rivers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Some devour their victims, ripping their insides out, some are just looking for company and companionship. Some only attack children and some can be controlled and killed. Some are solitary creatures, others gather together under bridges. Some change into handsome men, some, beautiful women. With different tales travelling and clashing around Scotland for hundreds of years, the Kelpie is a changeable creature, in every way. The Kelpies monument The Kelpies light up purple for epilepsy awareness day (Picture: Submitted) Between the towns Falkirk and Grangemouth sit a spectacular monument to the Scottish legend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Completed in 2013, then unveiled in 2014, the Kelpies are a breath taking spectacle Two Kelpie heads, each 30m high represent strength, endurance and a deep connection to Scotland's heritage and landscape.
Daily Record
07-07-2025
- Daily Record
The 'excellent' Scottish manor hotel you can book for better than half price
The accommodation has been described as "lovely". A Scottish manor house can currently be booked for cheaper than half price. It has been described as "lovely" and "excellent" by previous visitors. The Grange Manor Hotel is situated near Falkirk, between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Dating back to the late 19th century, it is a country house retreat encircled by well-kept gardens that preserves many original Victorian features. At the moment, guests can book an overnight stay for two at the hotel for £89 through Wowcher —plus a £3.99 admin fee. A one-night break at the Grange Manor Hotel is usually priced at £215, resulting in a discount of 59 per cent. All of the standard rooms at the hotel come with a seating area, hot drink-making facilities, a television, and an en-suite bathroom. Guests will also receive a glass of Prosecco each upon arrival. Also included in the Wowcher deal is a free breakfast in the morning. Meanwhile, there is the option to upgrade to include a two-course dinner at the Grange Manor Hotel's restaurant. The Cook's Bar and Restaurant offers a varied menu that includes dishes such as steak pie, breaded wholetail scampi, lasagne, and risotto. There are also 'Flavours of India' dishes designed in partnership with twice Michelin‐Star awarded Atul Kochhar, including lamb rogan josh and cauliflower makhani. Meanwhile, guests can also enjoy afternoon and high teas in Rosie's Tearoom. These include freshly made sandwiches, homemade cakes, scones with strawberries, and a cup of tea or coffee. There are other hotels to choose from in the surrounding area if the Grange Manor Hotel does not appeal. These include the luxury four-star Macdonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa and the Orchard Hotel with a bar and restaurant. In terms of things to do, it is just a short walk from Grange Manor Hotel to the iconic Kelpies sculptures and Falkirk Wheel. The latter is the world's only rotating boat lift, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 metres above. Another nearby highlight is Beecraigs Country Park, which is comprised of 370 hectares of woodland walks and mountain bike trails. The country park is also home to a play area, a café, and more. On travel website Tripadvisor, guests have mostly given the Grange Manor Hotel positive feedback. The accommodation has an overall rating of four out of five on the site based on 1,000 reviews. One visitor shared: "Great stay, we had booked a luxury room, but on arrival was told there were none available, so we stayed in a garden room. No issues with this, great sized room. "Breakfast was fabulous, the dogs even got a breakfast sausage. Hotel was super dog friendly, and all the staff were lovely to deal with." On the other hand, a negative review reads: "Stayed in this hotel as my son was attending a competition on the Sunday. Room was dated, TV remote did not work but worst thing was the noise coming from the function room." Meanwhile, a four-star review states: "Quaint manor, staff very helpful. We were suffering terrible with jet lag and staff were able to get our room ready a bit earlier, so grateful. Dinner was next door and highly recommended. Bed was comfortable, room was spacious."
Glasgow Times
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow couple to abseil 30m down Kelpies for SSAFA
Carol and Charles Diaper, from St George's Cross in Glasgow, will climb the inside of one of the Kelpies before abseiling down the 30-metre-high sculpture on June 27, as part of the SSAFA Kelpie Experience. The event raises funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. It offers participants a guided aerial climb up the world's largest equine sculptures, with the option to descend via a free-hanging abseil or "Quick Flight" rope drop. Carol and Charles will climb and abseil the Kelpies to raise money for charity (Image: Supplied) Read more: Glaswegians urged to 'light up the longest day' and help feed hungry children Carol, a professional trumpeter, said: "We both feel passionate about supporting the people who serve in the Armed Forces, both home and abroad. "SSAFA does such good work with serving personnel, veterans, and their families, so when we saw the Kelpie event, we thought this was the perfect way of challenging ourselves whilst also raising vital funds for the charity." This challenge marks yet another adventure for the brave couple who are both PADI Rescue Divers. Carol recently completed her 500th dive in Fiji last year and has raised more than £50,000 for charity through fire walks, freefall parachuting, Everest Base Camp treks, and a 500km cycle ride in China. The adventurous couple are both PADI rescue divers (Image: Supplied) The couple's choice to raise funds for the Armed Forces is tied to their personal links to the organisation. Charles's uncle served as a Group Captain in the RAF and was Commandant of the now-closed Headley Court rehabilitation hospital. The couple also have a close friend who is an engineer in the Royal Navy. To support Carol and Charles' fundraising, visit The Kelpies Experience takes participants into the horse's mouth via cables, ladders, and suspended platforms. Designed for families, schools, and children aged ten and above (with under 17s accompanied by an adult), the event places a strong emphasis on safety. All climbers will be securely attached to a safety cable throughout and supported by professional guides. The couple are keen to raise funds for SSAFA due to their personal links to the armed forces (Image: Supplied) Read more: 'We never knew when she'd have a seizure': Mum on raising child with rare condition Carol said: "To anyone thinking about doing the challenge, I would say, just be brave. "It's an amazing feeling to challenge yourself both physically and mentally. "I know we'll both be a bit nervous from the heights, but that's what all the safety systems and guides are for. "The best feeling is knowing that all the money raised will go towards people who serve our country." The Kelpie Experience will take place on June 21 and again during Armed Forces Week on June 27. Individual registration costs £50, while a family of four (two adults and two children) can take part for £70, with a fundraising target of £250.
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Forth Rail Bridge construction brought to life with the help of Edinburgh lecturer's AI filming techniques
The building of Scotland's iconic Forth Rail Bridge has been brought back to life thanks to the creative talents of Queen Margaret University's (QMU) award-winning filmmaker. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Walid Salhab, a media practice lecturer at QMU, has used a blend of photography, time-lapse filming, AI and visual storytelling to create an action-packed short film clip depicting the bridge's construction in the 1880s. The Forth Rail Bridge is a celebrated Scottish landmark and a milestone in the development of railway civil engineering. It was the first major structure in Britain to be made of steel, and its construction resulted in a continuous East Coast railway route from London to Aberdeen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Walid's one-minute short film shows hundreds of workers beavering away on the construction of the magnificent structure. With the help of AI, Walid has breathed life into images of the bridge, showcasing an important period in Scotland's history, and helping to celebrate the skill and innovation of the engineers and construction workers who created the iconic structure. User (UGC) Submitted Walid, the creative talent behind the innovative new film of the bridge, is an award-winning filmmaker and lecturer who is particularly well-known for his unique style of stop-motion/time-lapse filmmaking. In recent years, Walid has gained international recognition for his stunning portrayals of Edinburgh's and Scotland's iconic buildings and dramatic landscapes. He is the only man in history to have had access to the full five-month build phase of the Kelpies in Falkirk. His dynamic stop-motion/time-lapse film of the magnificent equine monuments was used to launch the Kelpies in Scotland and New York in 2014, thereby helping to promote Falkirk as an international tourism destination. Walid explained: 'I have always been fascinated by the enormity and beauty of the Forth Rail Bridge. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has such an interesting history, and its application of science to architecture went on to profoundly influence mankind in ways beyond bridge-building.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He continued: "I've been doing time-lapses of the bridges in South Queensferry for a few years now. Over time, I've come across some amazing old photos of the Forth Rail Bridge being built. That got me thinking - what if I could create actual footage of the construction process using AI? 'I started taking photos of the angles I wanted, and then used four different software programmes to put it all together, mixing in bits of the time-lapses I've shot over the years.' Walid has been really moved by the reaction to his short film. He said: 'The response has been incredible, and for some people, seeing the construction activity come to life has been quite emotional for them. I didn't realise just how much the rail bridge resonates with people until I started hearing from the grandchildren of those who helped build it - reaching out to thank me for bringing its story to life. The bridge obviously holds a very special place in people's hearts." Discussing his work, Walid said: 'Scotland is the perfect place for a filmmaker to experiment and innovate with their filming techniques. The beauty of the country, with its stunning landscapes and architecture, provides the main feature or backdrop to many of my short films. I can't fail to be inspired by the opportunities that are presented to me, and I can let my imagination run wild. AI is unlocking new dimensions of creativity for me, enabling fresh and imaginative ways to showcase Scotland's iconic monuments, architecture, and beauty spots." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, Walid's latest work with the Forth Rail Bridge is just part of his bigger filming ambition. He confirmed: 'My goal is to see if I can use AI to create a feature length film. So, I am experimenting to find out if one person alone, without the expense of a full crew of actors and camera operators, can create an entire movie. 'I like to encourage my students to look at new ways of expanding and capitalising on their creative filmmaking. If one person can make a feature length film with the help of AI, it will be easier for more talented young filmmakers to break into the feature film industry.' Walid's film clips of the Forth Rail Bridge and of Edinburgh's statues have sparked widespread interest, especially on Facebook and TikTok. You can view more of Walid's latest experimental short films on Facebook (Salhabfilms) and TikTok (cedar9982).
Scotsman
03-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Ten reasons why Scotland is one of the best places in the world
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... OK, I admit it, I'm probably what Boris Johnson would call a 'doomster and gloomster'. And while Boris was a truly terrible Prime Minister – he made a better Have I Got News for You host – he did understand the importance of enthusiasm or, indeed, 'boosterism'. Scots have a reputation for being dour and some are afflicted by the dreaded 'Scottish cultural cringe', as if, somehow, we're fated to be inferior to others, which is, of course, nonsense. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So, despite Johnson's moral failings, we would do well to learn from him. And that should start by recognising that the place where we live is, unquestionably, one of the best places in the world. No, sorry, what I actually mean to say is that Scotland IS the best place in the world. No doubts, no equivocation, no questions about comprehensive studies of every country on Earth, Scotland is the best. And here are ten reasons why. Massed pipe bands play during celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the Kelpies in Falkirk (Picture: Jane Barlow) | PA Scottish weather My first may perhaps be the most controversial: Scotland's much-traduced weather. As far as I'm concerned, our current climate is just about right. I remember meeting a South African who insisted it 'always rained' in Scotland, steadfastly resisting my attempts to dissuade her. And she's far from alone. The myth of Scotland's bad weather appears to have spread worldwide. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, during Covid, my daily morning walks in Edinburgh were almost never interrupted by rain, and this anecdotal evidence is backed by the stats. The Gazetteer for Scotland reports Edinburgh has 'high sunshine totals' while rainfall is 'low'. We should be selling temperate summer holidays to people in the Mediterranean – enjoy sunshine with a cooling breeze and weather that's not so hot that it forces you to have a nap at lunchtime. Global warming is changing things. However, the late scientist and environmentalist James Lovelock, who came up with the 'Gaia theory' of the Earth as a self-regulating system, once told me Scotland would likely be one of the better places to sit it out, partly due to the moderating effect of the sea. Our 'golden ticket' Scotland is also a wealthy country. Not ostentatiously so, but enough to at least think about ending child poverty for good, a goal that has cross-party support. Our economy has been growing, although the 8.4 per cent increase in gross domestic product over the past decade was put in the shade by the UK's 14.3 per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to Rain Newton-Smith, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, Scotland has 'the tools at its fingertips to be a global clean energy superpower' and this represents a 'golden ticket' for future economic growth. Despite all the gloom around the oil and gas industry, there are reasons to be optimistic – if our governments can create the right environments for renewable energy businesses to thrive and replace the jobs being lost as the North Sea's reserves dwindle. This is an exciting chance to build an industry with a tremendously bright future. So, the weather's just right and the economy has a golden ticket, but what are the people like? Tartan Army charmigans Well, in recent decades, the friendliness of the Tartan Army has fundamentally challenged misconceptions about football fans being synonymous with 'hooligans'. In fact, they're so different that I'd argue we need a new word – 'charmigans' – to describe them. They've even started tidying up after themselves in places like London's Leicester Square. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland is also a lot cooler than it used to be. Our films and TV shows can now be watched all over the world. The screen sector was worth more than £617 million to the Scottish economy in 2021 and employed over 10,860 people, according to the most recent report. Screen Scotland hopes to increase this to £1 billion by 2030. We are telling stories that other people want to hear. This should be no surprise, given the success of Edinburgh Festival, in all its various forms. It is truly a marvel, an example of humanity at its finest and friendliest. There is no better place in the world to be than Edinburgh in August. In my youth, when the festival was smaller, Scotland felt decidedly more parochial than it does today. I suspect being part of the European Union helped expand our horizons and, hopefully, we won't see a long retreat on that score as a result of Brexit – The Return to Brigadoon is one film no one wants to see. And that brings me to another wonderful thing about Scotland: its neighbours. The rest of the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and the European Union could hardly be more pleasant, particularly when you consider the possible alternatives. Tyrannical, warlike regimes hold power only in distant lands. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Iconic castles, epic scenery Scotland is also remarkably good looking. No list extolling its virtues would be complete without mentioning its world-famous scenery and places like Glen Coe, Loch Lomond, Skye... the list goes on. We even have the 'most outstanding example' in the world of, ahem, 'an actively accumulating blanket bog landscape' – the Flow Country – according to Unesco. Over the generations, humans have done some pretty terrible things to the landscape, but we have also put up iconic structures like the castles at Dunnottar, Edinburgh and Eilean Donan, the towering Wallace Monument and, more recently, the fantastic Kelpies at Falkirk. But perhaps the most important thing about Scotland is that it is a democracy and we get to choose our governments, rather than having them forced upon us. No country run by a dictator will ever be the best place in the world. And the most fundamental right necessary for a democracy is, of course, freedom of speech, which Scotland enjoys to a substantial degree. If I wanted to write about ten reasons why Scotland should be ashamed of itself, I could (and already have done). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
