Scottish folklore is steeped in tales of magical and monstrous creatures believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland, yet it is the mystery of Nessie, the Water Horse or Loch Ness Monster which continues to capture everyone’s attention.
The legend of the Monster dates back over 1,500 years, with a creature said to have been lurking beneath the waters of Loch Ness as far back as A.D. 565, when St. Columba claimed to have seen a “water beast”.
Since then, there have been numerous sightings of Nessie with one observer even capturing the mysterious creature on film in 1934. Although scientific experiments continue to explore the deep, murky water of the Loch in search of Nessie, no one has yet gained enough evidence to prove the creature exists.
Now, with the launch of Sony Pictures new magical motion picture, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, VisitScotland has launched a new website to attract visitors to the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands, to solve the mystery of the Legend of the Loch.
Findthewaterhorse.com details all the information visitors may need for a Scottish adventure in pursuit of the mysterious Loch Ness Monster, including a competition to win a trip to Loch Ness, expert advice on how to plan your trip and a monster zone for the kids to enjoy.
Even if you don’t find the Loch Ness Monster, the surrounding area is steeped in historic sites, including the ruins of Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s most impressive strongholds; Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on the British soil and the sixteenth century ghost at Cawdor Castle, made famous by Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands are also home to golden beaches and championship golf courses, ideal for a short break away.
To find out more about Loch Ness and the surrounding areas, or to book accommodation in the Scottish Highlands visit Visitscotland.com.
To get you started VisitScotland has put together five facts on Loch Ness.
1. The first Nessie sighting is said to have been made by St Columba in the 6th century.
2. The last Nessie sighting was recorded by an Englishman in May 2007.
3. The most famous of the Loch Ness hoaxes was a photo taken in 1934 by a surgeon, Kenneth Wilson. The same year Nessie was first captured on film.
4. The Loch holds more water than all the lakes and reservoirs in England and Wales put together.
5. Loch Ness is the largest body of freshwater in the British Isles measuring 24 miles long, on average 1 mile wide and over 754 ft deep.
For more information on visiting Loch Ness and to plan your own trip log onto Visitscotland.com.
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