The Loch Ness Centre in Scotland is calling for “budding monster hunters” and volunteers to join in what it dubs the largest search for the Loch Ness Monster since the 1970s.
The visitor attraction said this week that modern technology such as drones that produces thermal images of the lake will “search the waters in a way that has never been done before.”
The new surface water search for the fabled “Nessie,” planned for the weekend of Aug. 26 and 27, is billed as the largest of its kind since the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau studied the loch for signs of the mythical beast in 1972.
The Loch Ness Centre is located at the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, where in 1933 manager Aldie Mackay reported spotting a “water beast” in the loch, the largest body of freshwater by volume in the United Kingdom and one of its deepest.
The story kicked off an enduring worldwide fascination with finding the elusive monster, spawning hoaxes and hundreds of eyewitness accounts. Numerous theories or explanations have been put forward over the years, including that the creature may have been a plesiosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile, giant eels or even swimming circus elephants.
The Loch Ness Centre said its team will deploy drones equipped with infrared cameras so they can produce thermal images of the water from the air. A hydrophone will also be used to detect acoustic signals under the water.
Volunteers will be asked to keep an eye out for any breaks or other movements in the water, with guidance from experts on what to look out for and how to record findings.
“It’s our hope to inspire a new generation of Loch Ness enthusiasts," said Alan McKenna, of Loch Ness Exploration, a voluntary research team taking part in the upcoming search.
“By joining this large-scale surface watch, you’ll have a real opportunity to personally contribute towards this fascinating mystery that has captivated so many people from around the world,” he added.
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10 Comments
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dagon
And that same picture is used, since the days of "In Search Of..." narrated by the late great Leonard Nimoy.
Now with everyone having a high spec camera in their pocket at all times they haven't come up with anything better? As with UFO pics it calls into doubt the whole business.
wallace
A tale to bring in the tourists for sure.
stormcrow
It's an interesting story, but very hard to believe that something that large could live and breed in a lake with so little food to eat.
Ah_so
Nothing but a ploy by the Inverness tourist board to drum up interest in Loch Ness and bring in visitors.
Rodney
Leave them alone. They haven’t hurt anybody.
Jimizo
Maybe. If so, good luck to them.
Beautiful part of the world.
albaleo
Another denier unwilling to accept the evidence of 97% of hotel owners, tour operators, and souvenir shop managers.
TokyoLiving
Pathetic farce..
Jimizo
A bit of fun. Lighten up.
Nice.
njca4
Dad took me up there when I was jist a wee bairn !!
I remember it raining the whole week so I understand why they need some other kind of bait to get people up there..
Stunning place though