Loch Ness Monster

The Loch Ness Monster or "Nessie" is the name of the lake monster that inhabits Loch Ness in Scotland.

Loch Ness is about 24 miles long, fairly narrow, and about 800 feet deep. Loch Ness connects to the North Sea by the Caledonian Canal. The water is very murky because of a high concentration of peat. Loch Ness has a surprising number of fish. These fish could support large creatures.

The monster is usually described as having a long neck, with a wider body. It is about 40 feet in length. This description may suggest a prehistoric plesiosaur reptile or Archaeoceti whale living in the Loch. It may also be a creature migrating into and out of the Loch from the North Sea by the Caledonian Canal.

Nessie has been reported since at least the 6th century, when it may have been seen by Saint Columbia. More recent sightings began in 1933. In 1933 Mr. and Mrs. John MacKay saw "an enormoous animal rolling and plunging in the waters". Also in 1933 Mr. and Mrs. George Spicer reported seeing a "loathsome" creature out of the water which resembled "monstrous snail" and a "prehistoric animal". Many of the sightings have occurred in the deep waters of Urquart Bay, on who's Western edge is the 13th century Urquart Castle. In all well over 3,000 people have reported seeing the monster since 1933, including police officers, scientists, and local residents.

There are many photos and a movie of the creature, which may or may not be hoaxes. The most famous photo was taken in 1934 by London surgeon Robert Kenneth Wilson. Dr. Wilson, however, said on his death bed that the photo was a fake.

More recently, in 1972 and 1975, Dr. Robert H. Rines of the Academy of applied science in Boston got convincing underwater photos of something. Dr. Rines used side scan sonar to track underwater movement and photographed images which may be flippers and full body shots. Dr. Rines returned to the Loch in the 1990s, but was unsuccessful in taking any new photos of the creature.

Despite all of the watching of Loch Ness, no 100% conclusive video or photographic evidence exists. Also, perhaps more importantly, no remains of a creature have ever been located.