Since the 1930s, the Scottish Highlands have been a favorite tourist attraction for all mystery lovers from all over the world. The Loch Ness monster has attracted more visitors than many natural attractions or museums.
People got so obsessed with the mysterious monster that they even gave it a cute name, Nessy. The misty lake draws tourists who are willing to wait around the lake with cameras for hours, all hoping to get an epic shot of the famous water monster.
But how did it all start, and why? The legend of Nessy dates from the 7th Century, but it wasn’t worldwide news until the 20th century when a London man claimed to have seen the water beast. After that, other people came forward saying that they’d seen Nessy and the rumor spread like wildfire. Soon after, the seekers started arriving.
Curious tourists from all over the planet started visiting the lake and waiting for the monster to appear and pose in front of their cameras.
There have been many investigations over the 20th century, including 24 sonar-equipped boats that scanned the lake’s bottom, but there has never been any official evidence announced to the public. However, people keep believing in the incredible story of a dinosaur-looking water monster that hides in the waters of Loch Ness.
There are many different explanations about what Nessy actually is. Versions vary from well-known animals to trees, seismic gas to the classic long-necked giant amphibian. One of the first explanations was that the creature is an enormous eel.
Eels do live in the lake for real, so it’s possible that one of them grew to incredible dimensions for some freakish reason. Another study claimed that the animal visible on the famous photo is an elephant, and what we see is its trunk. Also, that the elephant photo was taken somewhere else and faked to look like it was taken at Loch Ness.
To get there, you need to fly to Inverness, the area’s largest town with an airport. If you want to go by train, the station is in the center of the town, and there are direct lines from London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, in case your flight is to one of these cities. When you reach Inverness, you can rent a car and drive the 5-mile ride to Loch Ness.
If you are enthusiastic about seeing the monster, you would think that the best way to look for it is on the water. There are plenty of organized tours and cruises on the loch.
Some tour operators will take you to see the lake shores, surrounding valleys and Urquhart Castle, known as the home base of Nessy. Others go to the Caledonian Canal, where you can also hope to see the famous monster.
If you don’t get to see Nessy, don’t despair. The whole area is designed to amuse disappointed tourists. One option is to visit Nessie Land, especially if traveling with kids. Children enjoy the playground that contains a display that shows a detailed legend about the life of Nessy. Nessieland Castle is a favorite place for families.
There are pretend photos of Nessy sleeping and eating its meals. It may be boring to you, but your kids will love it! The Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Center is another place you can visit and where you can learn more about the geology and the history of the loch.
No matter if you believe in the legend of Nessy, Loch Ness is a cool place to visit if you’re near. And who knows, maybe you’ll be the lucky witness of the monster’s existence. If you don’t see Nessy, don’t take it personal. Just keep traveling around Scotland because there are plenty of beautiful things to see and explore. Good luck!
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