The Kelpies and the Dark Horse

Since our 2020 Scottish vacation was postponed, in 2022 when I learned the craft of Milky Way photography, I instantly wanted to take this photo as soon as my vacation happened! In 2023, we were finally able to take our long awaited family vacation, but being that the magnificent statues are in the city, and night doesn’t get fully dark in the summer in Scotland, I knew I would have to composite my Kelpie Milky Way image- at least this time.

The Kelpies and the Dark Horse.

Beware! In Falkirk, Scotland The Kelpies pop their giant heads out of the water. We didn't find Nessie, but we walked to the statue of the kelpies. Our trip was in July, however, so it doesn't get full dark, and we didn't even see the kelpies lit up. As such, this kelpie image was always going to be a composite with a Milky Way sky from a dark place. The Dark Horse Nebula between The Kelpies is amazing to me, and this is how it really lined up when we were there, we just couldn't see the stars. We did manage to see some stars in the highlands, and I was able to get a very blue sky Milky Way over Ben Cruachan.

My composite image of The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland under the Milky Way! It's almost like 3 horses, but completely different. I love the different personalities of the Kelpies. One is screaming and very dramatic. The other is asking if one can not just calm down, “Must you over react about everything?” The first replies, “No! I can not just calm down!”

Clearly, that Kelpie could use more star therapy.

We were able to walk to visit the majestic beasts, it was so cool to see them come into view above the trees…

…and to see them even better from the other side of the marina.