Will Nessie be found this time?

Plan for biggest Nessie search in more than 50 years

What has been described as the biggest search for the Loch Ness Monster since the early 1970s is due to be held later this month.

Drones fitted with infrared cameras are to be flown over the loch, and a hydrophone is to be used to detect unusual underwater sounds.

Organisers said volunteers would also look for possible signs of a creature from safe vantage points on land.

The search is to be held on 26 and 27 August.

The Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit and a volunteer research team called Loch Ness Exploration are organising the effort.

 They said it would be the biggest search for the monster since the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau studied the loch in 1972.

The bureau was set up in the 1960s to uncover the existence of a large beast in the waters.

People can pay for trips on the loch during this month's search.

Alan McKenna, of Loch Ness Exploration, said: "It's our hope to inspire a new generation of Loch Ness enthusiasts and by joining this large scale surface watch, you'll have a real opportunity to personally contribute towards this fascinating mystery that has captivated so many people from around the world."

Paul Nixon, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre, said the search would involve technology not previously used before.

A spokeswoman added: "Volunteers' safety is of course a priority during the quest.

"All viewing points are on land, and volunteers will be briefed by organisers each morning on suitable viewing points to ensure their safety."

 In 2019, scientists said the creatures behind repeated sightings of the fabled Loch Ness Monster may be giant eels.

Researchers from New Zealand tried to catalogue all living species in the loch by extracting DNA from water samples.

Following analysis, the scientists ruled out the presence of large animals said to be behind reports of a monster.

No evidence of a prehistoric marine reptile called a plesiosaur or a large fish such as a sturgeon were found.

In April 1933, hotel manageress Aldie Mackay told of seeing a whale-like creature and the loch's water "cascading and churning".

The Inverness Courier newspaper reported the sighting and the editor at the time, Evan Barron, suggested the beast be described as a "monster" - kick-starting the modern myth of Nessie.

In an interview years later, Mrs Mackay said she had seen something "black, wet, with the water rolling off it" moving in a circle. She described it as a "beast" to her husband.

The legend dates back to the Middle Ages when Irish monk St Columba is said to have encountered a creature in the Ness, a river that flows from Loch Ness.

Source: BBC News 

Read more stories about the monster and Loch Ness.

Comments

Sir Joseph said…
Hi Graham,
I have liked this story aɓout Nessie. When I heard anything of the monster I can,t avoid and I have to read everything although what they tell me it was ficción. I think this is because we like mythes and what is fantastic or not real.
The new plan looks interesting because they are going to search with drones and infrared cameras. In addition, they will set up a hydrofone to listen every sound in the lake. This research seems very important, but I suppose that they won,t find anything and we will continue reading about my friend Nessie, as always.
The Inverness Courier said that Nessie is a monster, but it is a legend good to feed our imagination. Sturgeon or plesiosaur, it,s the same but I prefer that it was a monster. If they tell me that it is a sturgeon it will be a desappointment for me.
See you.

Graham said…
Good morning Joseph,

I can't remember you ever revealing that you were a fan of Nessie. There is no reason to keep it secret - it's not like confessing that you are a Belieber or worse still, you voted for the gruesome twosome of La Tonta and Carapo.

You should come back to this post and click on the links to keep up-to-date with all the latest on your elusive friend and his home.


I enjoyed this story aɓout Nessie. Whenever I hear anything about the monster, I can't help but read it all, even though I know what they are saying is pure fiction. I think this is because we like myths and what is fantasy.

The new plan looks interesting because they are going to search with drones and infrared cameras. In addition, they will set up a hydrofone to listen to every sound in the lake. This research seems very important, but I suppose that they won't find anything and we will keep on / continue reading about my friend Nessie, (just) as always.

The Inverness Courier said that Nessie is a monster, but it is a good legend to feed our imagination. A sturgeon or plesiosaur - it's the same but I'd prefer it to be a monster. If they tell me that it is a sturgeon it will be a disappointment for me.