Mini-kelpies ride in to Inverness
Inverness Campus is to become home to the Kelpies maquettes as part of their world tour helping to promote Scotland as a visitor destination.
The maquettes are 1:10 scale models of the world famous Kelpies sculpture - two 100 foot high horses’ heads situated in Falkirk, and will be at Inverness Campus from Thursday (7) until Saturday July 23.
To coincide with their appearance and to mark the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) which owns the Campus, is running a ‘Selfies with the Kelpies’ competition. Entrants should upload their photos to HIE’s Twitter or Instagram accounts @HIEScotland and tag them with #Campuskelpie to be in with a chance to win. HIE will select its top three photos from all entries and ask the public to vote for the winning entry.
People of all ages can visit the Campus and take a photo of themselves with the mini-Kelpies. The winning photograph will be shared on social media and the winner will receive a Kelpies themed prize.
Karen Thomson, senior development manager for the Inverness Campus team at HIE, said: “We are very pleased to be given this opportunity to exhibit the Kelpie maquettes in Inverness. For over two weeks, they will give visitors and local people alike, a rare chance to see the beauty of the wonderful metal sculptures.
“It also gives local people and visitors a fantastic opportunity to come and visit Inverness Campus which is set in 30 acres of stunning parkland with thriving wildlife and a network of footpaths and cycle ways. We hope visitors who come to the Scottish Open over its three days at Castle Stuart starting on Thursday (7), can also take part in the competition.”
The maquettes will be placed at plot 2 by the Campus lochans and expects to create interest among photographers looking to capture a shot of the maquettes against the stunning backdrop of the Campus. Parking will be available at the Granite Car Parking - the most northerly car park.
Hand-crafted by renowned sculptor Andy Scott, the models have travelled as far as New York and Chicago and have recently appeared at last year’s Grand National and Scottish Cup Final.
His inspiration for The Kelpies was the tradition of working horses in Scotland pulling ploughs in the fields and barges along the canals.
More info on the campus from www.invernesscampus.co.uk
