Kelpie statues to play key role in John Muir Festival

The launch of the Kelpie statues at Falkirk will be the centrepiece of the John Muir Festival opening in April.

The nine-day festival will begin on April 17 and begin with a night-time arts event around the structures at Helix Park.

Artist Andy Scott’s 300-ton, 30-metre high horses heads’ sculptures, pictured, will be ‘brought to life’ with a light, sound and flame performance by Groupe F, the pyrotechnic company which famously lit up the Eiffel Tower at the millennium.

The national pathway, the John Muir Way, will be officially opened in Dunbar on April 21. There will be daily events at 10 hotspots along the 134-mile route, celebrating the founding father of the US national parks.

A street ceilidh and fireworks festival finale is planned at Scotland’s national park at Loch Lomond on April 26.

Ian Scott, chairman of Falkirk Community Trust, said: “The event will announce both the arrival of the Kelpies to the international stage and the inaugural John Muir Festival in suitably dramatic fashion. It is a pleasure to welcome Groupe F to Scotland to create an installation that will animate Andy Scott’s remarkable sculptures.”