Loch Ness

Yes, it's Scotland's deepest loch. And yes, it has its own brooding Highland charm. But without the fable-or-fiction mystique of the Loch Ness monster, this would be just another picturesque stop on the Scottish nature trail. As it is, Nessie continues to pack them in.

The legend of the Loch Ness Monster in the Scottish Highlands is often regarded as a myth, despite anecdotal sightings and reports of a giant sea-serpent or dragon inhabiting the waters of the Loch. The first photograph of the Loch Ness Monster was published in 1933, while a sonar reading in 1954 seemed to confirm the presence of some kind of underwater creature.

Although the BBC's definitive search in 2003 with 60 sonar and satellite trackers seems conclusive, it’s probably best to visit the waters of the loch and decide for yourself whether Nessie exists and if she is still alive. Visit the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre at Drumnadrochit for a comprehensive look at the phenomenon.

Practical Info

The Loch stretches between Inverness and Fort Augustus. There are tours from Edinburgh, and once there you can take boat rides to the centre of the Loch to look for Nessie yourself.