The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
An animal attraction
Just a trot away from the majestic Kelpies Graham Brown spent a weekend in a country house with a proud history
From the news of the project, to that breathtaking first encounter with the 30-metre-high horse head sculptures alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal, the Kelpies have had me hooked. At less than 90 minutes away from home they are easily accessible, and whenever the opportunity presents itself I’ll make the effort to at least pass by and, if time allows, drop in to The Helix on which they stand, and gaze in awe from beneath.
The opportunity to spend a relaxing couple of nights in nearby luxury was therefore too good to miss.
A short canalside walk away from Andy Scott’s exquisite creation sits the four-star Grange Manor Hotel, built in the late 19th Century as a grand house for the factor to the Earl of Zetland’s local estates.
And, almost 150 years on from his death, it’s safe to assume that Thomas Dundas, the second Earl would have heartily approved of the equine-themed tourist attraction which now dominates the local lands he once owned.
He was, after all, a senior member of the Jockey Club and won both the Derby and St Leger with his horse, Voltigeur, in 1850.
Tucked into landscaped gardens, the hotel is ideally placed for exploring this attraction-packed part of central Scotland and is also in high demand as an award-winning wedding venue.
Accommodation is in both the main house – where our elegant and beautifully decorated room was situated – and the Garden Wing, which plays host to more than 30 rooms.
After settling in we enjoyed a drink in the downstairs bar before making the short walk from the main hotel to Cooks Bar and Kitchen, situated in what was originally the 19th Century coach house.
It promises a relaxed and informal dining experience, and absolutely delivered on that front, along with superb fare focused on local produce.
Well rested, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast served in the main hotel the following morning before setting off on the short journey to a pre-booked tour of the Kelpies – an unmissable chance to learn more about their story and see inside the majestic structures.
At just £7.50, the 30 minute walking tour around and then inside the sculptures is a bargain. The vision and story of the project is brought to life with an enthusiasm that kept our party of all ages enthralled.
The value of the tour also extends to the visitor centre and café, which meant we were able to sit protected from the elements as we digested our soup and the remarkable story, facts and figures relayed by our exuberant guide.
Of course, the Kelpies are star attraction of The Helix, but there is much more to the park and just a few miles away is another mechanical marvel, the Falkirk Wheel.
We had a date though – with Rosie, and more particularly her tea room within Grange Manor.
We skipped on the fizz at our afternoon tea but the array of delicacies from haggis bon bons to dainty cakes was a treat for the eye and tastebuds.
However the stand out feature of our stay was the friendliness of the Grange Manor staff – every one engaging, helpful and a credit to the venue.
All in all, a highly enjoyable stay virtually in the shadow of those magnificent equine monuments.
Little did the Earl of Zetland know he was backing a surefire winner for the future when he chose to make his home here.
The stand out feature of our stay was the friendliness of the Grange Manor staff – every one engaging, helpful and a credit to the venue