"The search for animals that fall outside of taxonomic records due to a lack of empirical evidence, but for which anecdotal evidence exists in the form of myths, legends, or undocumented sightings."

The Loch Ness Monster is surely one of the world's most famous cryptozoids. No trip to the highlands of Scotland would be complete without a visit to Loch Ness for a bit of Nessie spotting. We drove the length of the loch but didn't spot the monster.


In Drumnadrochit, we visited the Loch Ness Exhibition. The museum explores the legend of the Loch Ness Monster and the research that has been conducted to find Nessie. I was actually surprised at the time and money that has been spent looking for Nessie. First, they posted lookouts on the shores for a year or so. Next they formed a flotilla of boats dragging sonar equipment to plumb the depths. After that they submerged a vessel in the loch for a bit. It recorded the goings on in the loch (fish getting it on probably). After all this, they still have no conclusive evidence that Nessie exists.

The lack of evidence, points to a lack of Nessie. Apparently the population of fish in the Loch (even with all the getting it on) is not enough to support a creature the size of the supposed monster.

The exhibition also examines the photos that have captured Nessie and explains what they might be. A deer swimming in the lake, a blurry bird, the wake of a boat. The most famous photo of the Loch Ness Monster is a proven hoax. The exhibition is pretty non-judgemental towards the wackos that have "seen" the Loch Ness Monster. It concludes with a phrase about the wonderful powers of imagination (sure, sure! We know they are wackos).



I'm not sure it was worth the £6 entrance fee but I found it extremely interesting. A recommended pit stop if you too have a curiosity for the strange and mysterious.

Our visit to the The Loch Ness Exhibition was part of our "Emergency: Jess needs to renew her visa" trip to Scotland on the August Bank Holiday weekend 2008. Other entries from this trip include: Real men wear skirts and Now here are the results. Yep. And we're going to....

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