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Nessie Sightings

Does The Loch Ness Monster Exist?

Sightings of the Loch Ness monster have been reported for centuries. The earliest on record is from 565 when St Columba saved the life of a local who was being attacked by a monster in the river Ness (though some spoilsports insist it was actualy a wild boar).

The modern Nessie era began in 1933 when a local paper - the Inverness Courier - reported a sighting by a local a couple, the Spicers. Whilst driving along the loch side between Dores and Inverfarigaig they spotted a large creature crossing the road in front of them. The creature disappeared into the bushes in the direction of the Loch.

This report was taken up by the national press in London and the Nessie ball began to roll.

The next year, 1934, the most famous photograph of Nessie was allegedly taken by surgeon R. K. Wilson. This, the surgeon's photo has been the focus of intense debate since it was first taken. Over the years several people have "confessed" to being involved in faking the surgeon's photo. It's important to remember that in the social atmosphere of the 1930s a surgeon was a highly respected professional whose word was unlikely to be questioned.

Sightings continue to be reported and every few years an expedition obtains funding to "prove" the truth once and for all. In 2003 a BBC expedition surveyed the entire Loch using sonar. They concluded that no monster exists.

It should be remembered that it is logically impossible to prove that something does not exist - only that it has not been found.

Nessie sightings continue to be reported every year, some backed by photographic evidence. Many of the reports come from tourists who have been enjoying the justly famous Scottish hospitality.

Nessie Hunting

There are many "Nessie hunting" boat trips available for tourists. I've been on a few of these and personally I prefer the smaller operations where the skipper has been working the Loch for years. With luck you will be treated to a wealth of interesting stories - true or otherwise!

Until you manage to visit Scotland in person, you can do your own monster spotting at one of the Loch Ness webcams that have been set up by Nessie hunters.