The First Loch Ness Sighting of the Year

If you love legends and mysteries, and celebrate holidays like World Folktales & Fables Week from March 16 to 22, chances are, you’re enamored with stories about the Loch Ness Monster, one of the world’s most famous legends. “Nessie,” as the creature is affectionately known, has captivated imaginations since the 6th century when the first sighting was recorded by St. Columba in 565 A.D. In 1933, the famous “Surgeon’s Photo,” which seemingly caught Nessie on camera, sparked a renewed frenzy. Over the years, countless sightings of the mysterious creature have been reported, though none have been confirmed. 

The year has just started, but we may have already had our first sighting of the elusive beast. On January 29, while walking along the shore of Dores Beach in Scotland, a man noticed something slithering in the water and snapped a photo, which shows a dark mass underneath the surface. Aimee Todd, marketing manager at the Loch Ness Centre, shared that the conditions were unusually calm for winter, which made the sighting even more remarkable. 

The Loch Ness Centre’s general manager, Nagina Ishaq, pointed out that while sightings like this are common, this has certainly caught their attention. “This potential sighting is a reminder that the mystery of Loch Ness is far from solved,” said Ishaq. Experts like Alan Mackenna from Loch Ness Exploration were contacted to review the photo and while Todd felt it’s important to issue a reminder that sometimes people mistake animals like seals or boats for Nessie, the organization is committed to solving the mystery of Nessie. In fact, the center will be holding a search for Nessie again in May, known as “The Quest,” where volunteers will monitor the lake’s surface at various locations. 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just enjoy a good mystery, rest assured that the hunt for the Loch Ness Monster is far from over, and who knows? Maybe this year, Nessie will finally reveal itself.