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Loch Ness, a place filled with mystery and legend

Welcome to Loch Ness! Home of the Loch Ness Monster and so many other wonderful Scottish myths, legends and historical happenings. Here, we will guide you on the perfect monster hunt around Loch Ness! Bringing you up to speed with the history of our great Scottish loch and its famous inhabitant, who we like to call Nessie!

We are often asked “is the loch ness monster real?”. And here we will tell you that she is very much a big part of our culture and history. So, read on to find out more about Nessie and our magical region of the Scottish Highlands.

Nessie appeared from the deep

Earliest sighting was 565 AD where she ate a servant!

Loch Ness Monster Sightings

Our first recorded sighting of our famous Loch Ness Monster was in 565 AD! Nessie is said to have appeared from the deep Loch Ness waters. Here she snatched up and ate a servant, before his master, St Columba, forced her back into the waters.

Over the years, more rumours spread far and wide of other such ‘strange events’ at Loch Ness. Many believed in the Water Kelpies and the Each-Uisge, (meaning ‘water horse’) a water spirit in Scottish folklore. These ancient Scottish myths about such water creatures contributed to the notion of a beast living in the depths of Loch Ness.

The Monster Awakes

In 1933, construction began on the A82 – the road that runs along the north shore of the Loch. Interestingly, the work involved considerable drilling and blasting. And it is believed that the disruption forced the monster from the depths and into the open.

It was around this time, there were numerous independent sightings. And in 1934, London surgeon R. K. Wilson managed to take a photograph that appeared to show a slender head and neck rising above the surface of the water. Nessie hit the headlines and has remained the topic of fierce debate ever since.

In the 1960s, the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau conducted a ten-year observational survey – recording an average of 20 sightings per year. In further attempts to find Nessie, mini-submarines started exploring the depths of Loch Ness with the help of sophisticated sonar equipment. Then in the 1970s, underwater images of what appeared to be a ‘flipper’ were released to the public sparking further interest. Since there has been great interest in the elusive Nessie with many still trying to catch a sighting of this mythical beast.

Many convinced sightings

But who is this mythical creature that lives in the loch?

Nessie Hunting

To this day, many respectable and responsible observers have been utterly convinced they have seen a huge creature in the water.

Prehistoric animal? Elaborate hoax? Seismic activity? A simple trick of the light? It’s even been said that the whole mystery could be explained by the presence of circus elephants in the area in the 1930s. Who knows, but there truly is something special about Loch Ness and its vast waters. Whatever the truth, it’s always worth a trip to Loch Ness to see for yourself.

Find our Loch Ness Monster yourself

So why not join us for your holidays at Loch Ness? Or stay in our Highland Capital of Inverness. Here, Loch Ness and the surrounding area offer some of the most beautiful, historic and natural landscapes for you to explore. Steeped in myths and legends, Nessie isn’t our only famous relic. We are home to ancient battlefields and inspiration for the Outlander series. Explore ancient burial grounds and standing stones. Hear of our ancient whisky tales and visit the bay of sunken boats.

Book a boat tour on Loch Ness to begin your Nessie hunting adventure today. Other boat trips in the region include whale watching and dolphin spotting on our nature tours of the Moray Firth.

You can also explore our famous waters by canoe safari, for an up-close and personal experience with your very own canoe guide.

Historical Sites

Cycling

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