Introduction
On Day 11 we decided to explore some of the unique attractions north of Edinburgh. This day gave us a nice mix of modern wonders and Scottish history — very different from the ancient castles and stone circles we’d seen earlier.
Day 11: Our Day Trip Adventures
We started by driving north to see The Kelpies — the largest equine sculptures in the world. These two giant horse heads stand 100 feet tall and weigh 300 tons each. You don’t fully appreciate their size until you’re standing right next to them. It’s an impressive installation and definitely a must-see in the area.
From there we made a quick stop at The Falkirk Wheel — the world’s only rotating boat lift. It’s a fascinating piece of modern engineering. Watching it rotate to move boats between different canal levels was really cool.
Next, we visited the Wallace National Monument, built in honor of Sir William Wallace (yes, the Braveheart one). We climbed the monument for great views, and it definitely made us want to watch the movie again!
We returned to our apartment in Edinburgh later in the day, dropped off the car, and walked into town for a cold beer in a nice plaza. It was a beautiful evening, and we enjoyed some relaxed people-watching. For dinner we made omelets using leftover burger ingredients and enjoyed keto candied pecans for dessert.
Tips for These Attractions
• The Kelpies are free to visit and easy to reach from Edinburgh.
• Check the Falkirk Wheel schedule if you want to see it in action.
• Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to climb the Wallace Monument. Book tickets online
in advance to secure your entry time slot.
• Having a car makes this day much easier, though buses are also possible.
Fun Facts
• The Kelpies: These majestic sculptures are named after two real Clydesdale horses — Duke (the one looking down) and Baron — that inspired sculptor Andy Scott. They were built on-site in just 90 days using over 900 stainless steel “scales” per head. The mythical kelpie from Scottish folklore is a shape-shifting water spirit that could take the form of a horse and possessed the strength of at least 10 horses — a perfect symbol for the heavy horses that once powered Scotland’s canals and industries.
• The Falkirk Wheel: This engineering marvel uses roughly the same energy as boiling eight kettles for each full rotation (about 1.5 kWh) and can lift boats 35 meters in just minutes. Each gondola holds around 500,000 liters of water — equivalent to an Olympic swimming pool! It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 as part of efforts to reconnect Scotland’s historic canals. The design draws inspiration from a Celtic axe, a ship’s propeller, and even the ribcage of a whale.
• Wallace National Monument: The tower stands 220 feet (67 meters) tall and contains 246 spiral steps to reach the top. Inside you’ll find William Wallace’s legendary sword (over 5 feet long and weighing more than 5 pounds), along with the Hall of Heroes featuring busts of famous Scots like Robert the Bruce, Mary Slessor, and others. The monument was funded entirely by public donations and took eight years to build, opening in 1869 — exactly 572 years after Wallace’s victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Final Thoughts
This day was a fun change of pace. The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel showed us Scotland’s more modern side, while the Wallace Monument connected us back to the country’s historic heroes. It was another solid day of variety on our trip.
Next Up:
Our northeast Scotland coastal drive toward Inverness, including dramatic castles like Dunnottar and peaceful stone circles.
