Loch Ness Monsters

Like many mythical and legendary creatures there is much debate over whether the Loch Ness monster actually exists or is merely a figment of people's imagination. There have been reports of Loch Ness monsters going back hundreds of years. The best known, however, come from the twentieth century, beginning in the 1930s. One year, there were several reports of Loch Ness monsters, even three on one day by different people! They all saw some kind of large creature with a long neck and a dark colored body, and it disappeared in the loch leaving ripples of water.

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The most famous photograph of Nessie is known as the "Surgeon's Photograph." Taken by a London doctor named Wilson in 1934, it has since been deemed a fake. Yet, the image in this picture is the one that remains in the imagination of the public.

A number of scientific expeditions have also attempted to locate Loch Ness monsters. Some have made sonar recordings that indicate a large creature. Others have recorded sounds that were interpreted as those of an unknown creature using echolocation to find prey.

None of the scientific expeditions have succeeded in photographing, making video recording, let alone capturing an actual Loch Ness monster, however.

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In addition to these reports from excited members of the public and serious scientists, there have also been numerous hoaxes. The "Surgeon's Photograph" may be the most well-known, but hoaxes have continued into contemporary times. In 2004 Crawley Creatures, a British company specializing in animatronics and action models for television and film, were commissioned to make a model Loch Ness monster for a television special. "Lucy" was a cross between a plesiosaurus (which some have suggested is surviving in Loch Ness and is the Loch Ness monster), and the popular image of Nessie. "Lucy" was put in the loch in three places over a two week period, and lo and behold there were numerous reports of sightings in exactly those locations!

Before assuming that all sightings are hoaxes, though, just remember that because fake Loch Ness monsters can be made and fool people doesn't disprove Nessie's existence. The truth may still be out there!

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I have visited Loch Ness twice, but sadly I didn't see Nessie either time. But it's a great place to visit and I would certainly recommend a trip, with hunting for Loch Ness monsters an added bonus!

Loch Ness, Highlands, Scotland
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The first time I went was when I was a child. We drove to Fort Augusta at the Southwest end of the loch. I recall the loch being very misty, surrounded by mountains, and the water was so dark it was just the place for Loch Ness monsters to live! We went out on a cruise around the loch, or at least part of it. It was damp and mist swirling around, like in those scary movies where they use the fog machine, so everyone was just waiting for Loch Ness monsters to rise up from the depths of the loch! After that, even though I didn't seen any monsters, I was quite ready to believe Nessie lived there.

Castle Urquhart Overlooking Loch Ness
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My second visit was just a few years ago. This time I went with my husband, daughter, and sister to Drumnadrochit at the Northeast end of Loch Ness. It's rather touristy there, but still really picturesque. We stayed a couple of nights and the hotel had a statue of Nessie outside! We went on a boat ride which took us past Urquhart Castle with a guide who was busy telling us all about the many failed attempts to find Nessie or any other Loch Ness monsters. We also went horseback riding and part of the trek took us through the loch, just at the shallow end. My horse got spooked at one point, so we joked he saw Nessie even if we didn't!

Anyway, the whole atmosphere of Loch Ness is very conducive to mystery and the possibility of Loch Ness monsters. The loch is so deep and dark, and the weather is quite unpredictable and changeable, with lots of waves and moving waters and strange shadows. Definitely a good place to lurk if you were some kind of creature that didn't want to be found!

If you're curious and think that Loch Ness monsters just might exist, check out this live webcam of Loch Ness and maybe you'll see Nessie! I've seen the sheep so far, but no Nessie yet. Even if Nessie doesn't appear, though, it's a cool view of Loch Ness. Just make sure you're watching in Scotland's daytime hours or it'll be completely dark.

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Copyright © Jennifer P. Tanabe, 2009.
This page was created on May 16, 2009 and is the property of jptanabe (Jennifer P. Tanabe) and Squidoo, LLC. Please do not copy my material!

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