In September 2022 there was a joint Art & Architecture and Science, Engineering & Technology group field visit to Scotland by coach. On the first day we visited the Falkirk Boat Wheel Lift and the Kelpies before enjoying a relaxing evening at the King Robert Hotel near Bannockburn, Stirling. Dinner and time in the bar was very welcome after our busy day.
Day 1:
The Falkirk Boat Wheel Lift is an amazing piece of engineering joining the Union and Forth Clyde canals that are some 36 metres apart in height. The gondolas work on the Principle of Archimedes to raise and lower the boats between the canals. The shape of the rotating supports of the gondolas which transport the boats are said to be based on Nordic war axes and the balance ensures that the wheel rotates with minimal power input.
Most of us took the boat ride. We boarded at the lower level and the entire boat was raised to the top level with any boats in the top level transferring to the lower level at the same time, passing each other half way. We exited the wheel on the boat at the top level and took a trip through the tunnel under the hill fort to the higher canal where we turned around and did the same journey in reverse. Quite an experience and not something you do every day.
The Kelpies From there we went on to the giant horse head statues by Andy Bone based on Clydesdale draught horses and water spirits known as kelpies. These vast sculptures, which stand 30metres high have a tangible presence alongside the Forth Clyde Canal. Scottish mythology tells us that kelpies were malevolent water sprites that could shift shapes, often taking on the form of horses. They entrapped unsuspecting humans and lured them to a watery death. So these huge sculptures, the largest equestrian statues in the world, are fittingly sited upon a canal. Only the heads are shown above the water, but they tower over their surroundings, an impressive 30 metres high. The sculptor, Andy Scott, faced a number of technical issues because of the size and complexity of the work. The structures are made in stainless steel, sourced from Sheffield, with a covering of shaped plates welded to an internal scaffold of thick girders. There are 928 plates in total, and each is a unique shape, designed specifically for their locations on the statues. It is fitting that the Kelpies have become a major tourist attraction in the area. They are fascinating and awe inspiring, for artists and engineers alike.
Day 2
The Battle of Bannockburn took place not far from our hotel and after a hearty Scottish breakfast members of the group made an impromptu visit to walk the short distance to take a brief look at the site of the Battle of Bannockburn and its memorial, the Robert the Bruce statue, before we all went on to the Glasgow Transport Museum for a few hours.
The Glasgow Riverside Transport Museum is on the banks of the River Clyde and is a spectacular structure designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid. The huge corrugations in the roof are expressed both internally in the main galleries and to dramatic effect on the exterior where they surmount large areas of reflective glazing. This building is one of only a handful of projects completed in the U.K. by this internationally renowned architect during her tragically short life. This museum houses almost every type of transport you can imagine. Glasgow is famous for its trams and there were trams of all descriptions on display. There were bikes ranging from penny-farthing and tandems through to modern racing bikes, with an old delivery bike on display as well. There were scooters and motor bikes, tractors, and a hearse complete with plumed horses, as well as beautifully painted fairground rides. A Lipton's Tea delivery van brought back memories. There were cars of all ages from very early open-top roadsters through a Rolls Royce Phantom II to a Hillman Imp. All through the museum were displays of contemporary items such as the Kenwood mixer near to the Imp. Outside the Tall Ship Glenlee was moored at the quayside and there were models of many ships inside the museum. There was so much to look at in every direction that the sheer volume and variety was almost overwhelming.
Below you will find a selection of photos from the field visit. Please click on any image that interests you to see a larger photo.
