WHEN SCOTSMEN BUILD SOMETHING
THEY DO IT RIGHT!
AND THEY BUILD KELPIES!
In April of 2011, I invited myself and my son, Robby, to accompany my daughter, Kim and grandson, Tim on a transatlantic cruise and land tour in Great Britain. I was blessed to experience some very interesting sites with my beloved grandson, Timothy. He had researched our trip and told me about this site before we began.
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FALKIRK WHEEL
The world's only rotating boat lift!
This one boat lift takes the place of eleven locks and transports boats twenty-five to thirty meters (different sources) vertically between the Union Canal and the Forth and Clyde Canal. Falkirk Wheel completes the link between the two canals that reach from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Scotland.
This UTube video shows the operation of the wheel.
These are models of
Two thirty meter high, horse sculptures
that will be built in the Helix Complex in the Falkirk area.
Models of Kelpies, Supernatural Water Horse of Celtic Folklore. The Kelpies were believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland.
The artwork depicting horses' heads will be the
main part of The Helix Project, which aims to transform
more than 300 hectares (approximately 741 acres)
of unused land over six years.
Above and below...artist renderings
of the Helix Complex set to open on 2013.
This will be part of the recreational area being developed around the Falkirk Wheel.
The Falkirk Wheel was opened by the Queen in May 2002, and is now one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions. About 400,000 tourists visit annually.
The canals do carry barge traffic up and down the canals.
The canal network in Scotland handles 200,000 tons of freight annually.
The design and application of balance and weight enables the wheel to use only 22.5kW - the same power as it would to boil six domestic kettles - to turn a half rotation.
read more fascinating facts here and here.
The canal network in Scotland handles 200,000 tons of freight annually.
The design and application of balance and weight enables the wheel to use only 22.5kW - the same power as it would to boil six domestic kettles - to turn a half rotation.
read more fascinating facts here and here.
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| He is so cute! He loves his Granny! |
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| Gotta prove we were here, right? |
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| Gotta stay connected! |
Two thirty meter high, horse sculptures
that will be built in the Helix Complex in the Falkirk area.
main part of The Helix Project, which aims to transform
more than 300 hectares (approximately 741 acres)
of unused land over six years.
of the Helix Complex set to open on 2013.
This will be part of the recreational area being developed around the Falkirk Wheel.
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| Where did he go? |
If you ever find yourself in Scotland this is an experience not to be missed.
I have never seen the likes of anything quite like that boat lift in my life!!! In fact, I don't think I've ever seen ANY kind of boat lift! (I live a very sheltered life!) :-) That is really cool!!! And the horse's heads...magnificent!!!!!!!!! I wonder what my HOA would think about me having a couple of those babies in the yard? :-) Beautiful, Ginger, and I'm glad you and your family had a good time!
ReplyDeleteDearest Ginger,
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC Posting! Amazing artwork with the horse's head and that boat lift is incredible. Just called Pieter and we both watched it on YouTube with a tea... Ha ha, for slimming down as I did blog about it today but it didn't show on the sidebar.
Hugs to you,
Mariette
I wish I would have took that trip with yall,don't leave me next time.
ReplyDeleteThat is something else Ginger! What a great experience. Of course your grandson loves his Granny, so do we:) Great pics too, thanks for sharing. XO
ReplyDeleteThose horse heads are pretty amazing! Hubby and I were just talking about those canal boats.
ReplyDeleteAmazing art work!!! My husband is fascinated with that boat lift. We lived aboard a boat for 3 years..from Spring to Fall. Driving back and forth to work each day. I wish I could do that again! Fascinating post- and great pictures- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I've never ever seen anything like this. I'm always in awe of the brains that God gave us!
ReplyDeleteWow...just amazing!!...Always wanted to travel to Scotland...Thanks for the wonderful pics of your amazing journey through that beautiful country!!...
ReplyDeleteNeat stuff! We were in Scotland some years ago and certainly didn't see anything like that!
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing! Fun times. Great memories. xo
ReplyDeleteGreat images!
ReplyDeletePopped in from TTT
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
Wow, you must have had such a wonderful experience. I have never seen anything like this before. What a challenge for the engineers. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your adventure at Potpourri Friday!
ReplyDeleteJust amazing!! Looked like FUN!
ReplyDeleteHi Ginger, Thanks so much for leaving a comment on my blog. I do live in Atlanta now, but grew up in Savannah. My parents are still there and I really treasure my time down there! Have a great holiday weekend!! Amanda
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I never heard of a "rotating boat lift", wow! What a fabulous trip you had with such great company, nothing better than to travel with dear close members of our family. Alejandro lived almost two years in England when he was single, that's how he learned his ENGLISH, so he knows about it, because he just loves GB. I love cruises, they're so confortable and you get to see so much, even with guides. Thank you lovely lady for your visit, you know I love it when you come by. Have a safe weekend and enjoy the last days of summer weather.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing your trip with all us bloggers. Great sights that I will never see. Enjoyed your Blog very much.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Audrey Z. http://audreyzumwalt.blogspot.com/
Timeless Treasures
Ginger, the boat lift and horses are both fascinating! Wish I'd known about these years ago when I was in Scotland. ...I'm praying for your family this morning.
ReplyDeleteGoodness me, I learnt something new to do fascinating, thanks for teaching me a Brit about this feat of engineering. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog "With A Blast". I love your blog and am now following via GFC!
ReplyDeleteLinda Nortje
wonderful photos and memory making. Thank you for sharing your lovely post at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop Linky Party xo
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! These are just amazing. I've never seen anything like this. I'm sure you all had a great time and yes, your grandson is a cutie and so are you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Ginger, How exciting it would be to be on a barge and lifted on the wheel...it, and the Kelpies are definitely works or art. I'd LOVE to go to Scotland.
ReplyDeleteBabs
How interesting! Great photos, Ginger. Hope you will come to see my triplets! Happy Labor Day!..Christine
ReplyDeleteI have two words:
ReplyDelete1. Aw
2. Some
I've never even HEARD of this! Thanks so much for sharing, Ginger.
Happy Blue Monday.
REally makes me want to go to Scotland. I have never been there. Such a cute family!
ReplyDeleteSuper shots! Visiting from Blue Monday.
ReplyDeleteMy BLUE.
Have a great week ahead!
So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy blue is a Tomato Hornworm, hope you'd come and see.
Fascinating! I have always told myself that I want to do a transatlantic crossing. But what I really want is to do, I think, is to do it about one hundred years ago. With lots of glamour like in the Titanic movie. You got in some wonderful sights!
ReplyDeleteWow! These are totally awesome! I love to visit and explore these kinds of things. So cool! thank you for taking us along on this fun adventure and sharing it at TTF last week! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Thanks for sharing this.........Sarah
ReplyDeleteVery high tech and cool looking. Looks like a great time was had by all!
ReplyDelete