The Helix — Attraction in Scotland

A paradise of swans and artful sculptures. Anyone who is coming here is likely here to see the Kelpies, and rightfully so, considering their mythical magnificence, but I recommend lingering in the park and appreciating its swampy beauty. All this land was decayed industrial waste and fetid marshland until a recent revitalisation effort that transformed it into a charmingly idyllic park that keeps much of the natural environment here but presented in a way that is welcoming and safe. There are a lot of playgrounds for kids to wander around, and the sculptures are strong and substantial enough that they will not be damaged if kids climb top them. Wandering through the snaking paths of the park, I frequently find myself surrounded by a crowd of graceful swans. Enchanting experiences like that are always...

We visited in October and lucked out with smaller crowds—perfect for a peaceful wander! The first car park was full (clearly, we weren’t the only ones with a good idea), so we cruised a bit further in and found a spot at the second car park. Parking was just £3.50, and super easy to pay by card right at the entrance with a friendly attendant on hand.

From there, it’s a quick 5-minute stroll to the main stars of the show—the Kelpies! These towering horse-head statues are absolutely breathtaking—majestic, magical, and totally photo-worthy. If you’re up for a wander, there are a few walking routes nearby to stretch your legs and soak in the scenery. A lovely day...

I'm sure it's a great place to go, but after spending 45 minutes in a barely moving queue on a very hot day, between the two ridiculously small car parks, trying to get parked, we gave it up and went home. We were not the only ones. Just crazy. The place desperately needs more parking space, or some provision for overflow parking on busy days Loss of revenue for the park as we would have spent our money there. A wasted 3 hour drive for us. Most disappointing, and I doubt we'd want to repeat...