THESE two giant horse-head sculptures are keeping watch over the Clyde.

Created by Glasgow artist Andy Scott, The Kelpies are scale models of 100ft-high horses' heads that will form part of Scotland's largest public art project.

The impressive pair have been installed outside Glasgow Science Centre ahead of the opening of the £41million Helix development near Falkirk.

A second set of scale models is also currently creating a stir at a major public art exhibition in Chicago, in the US, where Mr Scott is the only non-American artist to exhibit.

He said: "With less than a year to the opening we are keen to spread the word on what will be an incredible part of Scotland's cultural landscape.

"This is the first opportunity the Glasgow public will have had to see for themselves the scale of the project we are undertaking here.

"The fabrication process for the finished Kelpies is well under way and by early next year we will be shipping large parts of the sculpture to the site between Falkirk and Grangemouth for construction."

The models are based on the Clydesdale heavy horse breed, which has inspired many of Mr Scott's works.

The Helix Project will open next summer with The Kelpies forming part of the development's visitor centre.

The project is transforming land between Falkirk and Grangemouth into a new parkland that is hoped will become an international visitor attraction.

Key developments in phase one include a central park with its own enclosed lagoon and outdoor events space and a new canal link featuring The Kelpies.

The project, a partnership between Falkirk Council, Scotland's Canals and Central Scotland Forest Trust, was been awarded £25million by the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks programme.

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk