Loch Ness Monster

:For the cryptography research project, see NESSIE.

History

Ancient

Rumours of a monster or animal living in the loch have circulated for several centuries, though some have questioned the accuracy and reliability of such tales. The earliest known reference is from the Life of St. Columba by Adamnan. It describes how in 565 Columba saved the life of a Pict, who was being attacked by the monster in the River Ness. Adamnan describes the event as follows:

Related Topics:
Rumour - Monster - Loch - Life of St. Columba - Adamnan - 565 - Columba - Pict - River Ness

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:"...(He) raised his holy hand, while all the rest, brethren as well as strangers, were stupefied with terror, and, invoking the name of God, formed the saving sign of the cross in the air, and commanded the ferocious monster, saying, "Thou shalt go no further, nor touch the man; go back with all speed." Then at the voice of the saint, the monster was terrified, and fled more quickly than if it had been pulled back with ropes, though it had just got so near to Lugne, as he swam, that there was not more than the length of a spear-staff between the man and the beast. Then the brethren seeing that the monster had gone back, and that their comrade Lugne returned to them in the boat safe and sound, were struck with admiration, and gave glory to God in the blessed man. And even the barbarous heathens, who were present, were forced by the greatness of this miracle, which they themselves had seen, to magnify the God of the Christians" http://www.stephen.j.murray.btinternet.co.uk/scotsandpicts.htm.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some critics have questioned the reliability of the Life, noting a different story in which Columba slays a wild boar by the power of his voice alone 1.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Recent past

The first modern sighting occurred on May 2, 1933. The newspaper Inverness Courier carried a story of Mr. and Mrs. John Mackay, who reportedly saw "an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface." The report of the "monster" (a title chosen by the editor of the Courier) became a media sensation with London papers sending reporters to Scotland and a circus, even offering a reward of £20,000 for capture of the monster.

Related Topics:
May 2 - 1933 - Inverness Courier - London - Scotland - Circus - £

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later that year, A.H. Palmer, who allegedly witnessed Nessie on August 11, 1933, at 7 a.m., described the creature as having its head, which they saw from the front, set low in the water. Its mouth, which had a width of between twelve and eighteen inches (30-45 cm), was opening and closing; its maximum mouth aperture was estimated to be about six inches (15 cm).

Related Topics:
A.H. Palmer - August 11 - 1933 - Inch

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Modern

The modern preoccupation with the Loch Ness Monster was aroused by a photograph allegedly taken by surgeon R.K. Wilson on April 19, 1934, which seemed to show a large creature with a long neck gliding through the water. Decades later, on March 12, 1994, Marmaduke Wetherell claimed to have faked the photo after being hired by the Daily Mail to track down Nessie (the photo had by that time been printed worldwide as "absolute evidence"). Wetherell also stated that Wilson did not take the photo, and his name was only used to give added credibility to the photo.

Related Topics:
Photograph - R.K. Wilson - April 19 - 1934 - March 12 - 1994 - Marmaduke Wetherell - Daily Mail

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Regardless of whether anything is actually in the loch, the Loch Ness Monster has some significance for the local economy. Dozens of hotels, boating tour operators, and merchants of stuffed animals and related trinkets owe part of their livelihood to this monster, although people visit the loch for many reasons other than to see the monster. Hence, the legend is likely to endure for quite some time.

Related Topics:
Loch - Hotel - Merchant - Legend

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~