A SCOTTISH tourist attraction has been named among the most popular in the world, according to new research.

The Kelpies in Falkirk attract around one million visitors every year and was ranked tenth out of 16 iconic metal attractions across the world.

Standing at around 30 metres high and weighing 300 tonnes each, The Kelpies are considered the largest equine sculptures in the world. 

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Created by artist Andy Scott, they have become iconic on the landscape after first opening to the public in 2014.

Now, a new study from The Metal Store has ranked metal landmarks from around the globe based on TripAdvisor reviews, monthly search volume figures and the number of Instagram hashtags.

The Kelpies claimed around 277,000 hashtags on Instagram and was ranked higher than the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle – the only other metal landmark in the UK to make the list.

The Falkirk landmark previously made the news in July when two climate campaigners climbed to the top as part of action targeted at the fossil fuel industry.

The full list included:

  • 16 – The Atomium – Brussels, Belgium
  • 15 – Iron Pillar – New Delhi, India
  • 14 – Unisphere – New York, USA
  • 13 – Tyne Bridge – Newcastle, England
  • 12 – Luis Bridge – Porto, Portugal
  • 11 – National Stadium – Beijing, China
  • 10 – The Kelpies – Falkirk, Scotland
  • 9 – Gateway Arch – St Louis, USA
  • 8 – Tokyo Tower, Japan
  • 7 – Chrysler Building – New York, USA
  • 6 – Cloud Gate – Chicago, USA
  • 5 – Sydney Harbour Bridge – Sydney, Australia
  • 4 – Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, USA
  • 3 – Statue of Liberty – New York, USA
  • 2 – Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE
  • 1 – Eiffel Tower – Paris, France