Loch Ness & Nessie

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is 23 miles long, 37 kilometres and is the second deepest loch in Scotland, at 230 metres (755 feet).  The deepest loch is Loch Morar near Fort William. By volume, Loch Ness is the largest Loch in Scotland. Loch Ness contains more water than all of the fresh water lakes in England and Wales put together.

Nessie - the Loch Ness Monster

Loch Ness has been immortalised by the legend of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.  Dating back to the 7^th century, there are mentions of a monster in Loch Ness.  St. Columbus has detailed stories about the monster attacking one of his followers near the mouth of the River Ness.  In 1938 a local policeman reports seeing a monster in the Loch, in 1943 similar from the Royal Observer Corps and again in 1954 sonar contact was made with a large object moving at pace in the murky waters.  Some more recent photographs were found to be hoaxes.

There have been many expeditions to track down Nessie, but to no avail.  She is thought to be a very shy animal and only appears when the waters in Loch Ness are smooth, with no ripples.  Locals think this may be that, given the depth of Loch Ness, she is misled by the stillness of the waters so swims higher up towards the surface, not realising.  Whatever the reasons, no recent photos have been taken, but this most definitely does not prove she does not insist.  If you get chance to speak to some of the older locals living in or near Drumnadrochit, you will be surprised how many of them have seen a presence in the Loch, which they cannot explain. 

Evidence was almost apparent in 2014 when Apple Maps picked up a large creature just under the water’s surface – on a quiet windless day, on a rippleless Loch.  There is one train of thought that as the Loch is so deep there are hidden caves and exits where Nessie spends most of her time, avoiding the spotlight.  You never know, you might capture her on camera if you pay close attention!