The debate surrounding the Loch Ness monster’s existence has persisted among scientists and enthusiasts for a long time. Despite extensive use of sonar and tracking devices, no concrete evidence confirming the presence of the Loch Ness monster has been found. However, there are captivating tales and legends associated with it. The lack of substantial proof regarding the creature’s existence has endured for over 1,500 years. Affectionately known as “Nessie” (San Souci 14), this unidentified being resides in Great Britain’s largest freshwater body, Loch Ness. Nevertheless, the loch still holds its fair share of mysteries.
According to Berke (21), the water temperature must be cold enough to freeze over, but it never actually reaches that point. In contrast, just twenty miles away, the two mountain ranges that enclose Loch Ness frequently experience snowfall. However, the surface of the loch itself never gets covered in snow; only the surrounding area does (Berke 10). Moreover, a mist often hangs above the water’s surface, making it challenging to see clearly. The water is heavily filled with peat, slime, silt, and mud which gives it an almost black appearance. Even with high-quality equipment, seeing through the dark water beyond a depth of fifty feet is impossible (Berke 11).
Despite the dark water, visitors can only see the brim of the water’s surface in their search for the Loch Ness monster (San Souci 16). The Pictish people, who lived in the surrounding areas of the loch in the 1st century A.D, were the first to provide insight into this mysterious creature (Lyons). Carved stones left behind by these people depict well-known animals, but they also show an unidentified creature believed to have existed in the lake at that time (Lyons). This is considered the earliest indication of a creature inhabiting the deep and murky loch. St. Columba, an Irish monk who converted Scotland to Christianity in the 6th century, wrote about his encounter with a giant water beast while traveling to a nearby town. When he witnessed the creature attacking a swimmer, St. Columba raised his hands to Heaven and with commanding words, drove the unknown animal back into the darkness of Loch Ness. Despite expert opinions, scientific evidence, and advanced technology supporting the non-existence of the Loch Ness monster, there are still those who believe. Richard Forrest, an expert on plesiosaurs, has questioned any sightings resembling such a creature (Owen).
According to Owen, when referring to the Loch Ness monster, people often describe a series of undulating humps. However, since the plesiosaur, being a reptile, would move from side to side rather than undulate, sightings like these are more likely to come from mammals like otters swimming across the loch.
Both Owen and Abels provide conflicting information about the size of the Loch Ness monster. Owen states that a prehistoric plesiosaur is approximately 11 meters in length, while tourists have reported sightings ranging from the size of a cow to 9 meters in length, causing a significant difference in size between the two creatures.
The Loch Ness monster is often photographed in blurry, gray, and grainy images with hidden dark shadows. Scientists, experts, and critics find it difficult to identify the object in the photographs. In 2003, the British Broadcasting Corporation conducted a comprehensive study using 600 separate sonar beams and satellite technology to search for the monster in the Loch Ness. However, no evidence of traces left by a creature as large as the monster was discovered (Cheung).
The team had hoped to use the air in the beast’s lungs as a reflection, sending the distorted signals back to the sonar sensors (Cheung). The BBC commented that the “only explanation for the persistence of the monster myth- and regular ‘sightings’- is that people see what they want to see” (Cheung). Ian Florence, one of the specialists of the BBC’s survey, stated, “We went from shoreline to shoreline, top to bottom on this one, we have covered everything in this loch and we saw no signs of any large living animal living in the loch” (Cheung).
In the late 1930’s, William Akins, a scientist who studied the Loch Ness monster, created a list of requirements for a good scientific report on the creature. These requirements included noting the location of the sighting, the distance from the beast, the weather conditions, and details about its appearance. Akins disregarded reports that were less than ten minutes long or made on cloudy days to eliminate false sightings. Many different sources have provided scientific eyewitness reports of the Loch Ness monster. For example, on August 11, 1933, A. H. Palmer observed the head and mouth of an animal, along with antennas, from a distance of about 100 yards. This sighting lasted for thirty minutes. Another scientific report was made in May 1934 by Brother Horan, who saw a creature resembling a seal about 30 yards away from the shore. However, it is important to consider that misidentifications, tourist activities, and personal motivations can lead to deception when it comes to sightings of the Loch Ness monster. This highlights the potential for inaccuracies in visual perception and reinforces the need for careful analysis.
When birds fly over the calm surface of the water, they create formations resembling “V shapes” due to the momentum in their flight. These formations can be easily mistaken for a large animal swimming just below the water’s surface. The Loch Ness is home to a significant population of seals, which share the characteristic of having long and extensive necks with the reported sightings of the monster. These animals are capable of quickly escaping from danger, swimming with a paddling motion, and possessing certain physical features that could explain the reported sonar readings as well.
Seiches contribute to misidentifications of the Loch Ness monster. Seiches are stationary oscillations of a lake caused by seismic waves from an earthquake. The Loch Ness has a current oscillating system that circles the lake in approximately 32 minutes. The legend of the Loch Ness monster has been a successful marketing strategy for the neighboring areas.
The multi-media Loch Ness center in Drumnadrochit provides tourists with the opportunity to visit. They can purchase a ‘monster-burger’, browse through gift shops, or take an hour-long submarine ride in hopes of catching a glimpse of the famed Loch Ness monster (Berke 48).
In their pursuit of attention and potential benefits, humans have a natural inclination. To gain recognition and personal gain, both Dr. Robert Wilson and Mr. M.A. Wetherall created an image of the monster that served as the most compelling evidence during their time. However, their intentions were solely to deceive the public eye.
According to Dr. Angela Milner, a paleontologist at the British Museum of Natural History, there is inadequate evidence or documentation to substantiate the existence of the Loch Ness monster as depicted in folklore. Dr. Milner stresses the significance of concrete scientific evidence rather than unreliable accounts or rumors. As long as compelling scientific proof is absent, the Loch Ness monster remains a matter of speculation primarily existing in folklore and the beliefs held by its proponents, rather than being present in Scotland’s largest lakes.
