On July 22, 1933, 90 years ago in 2023, a couple saw a huge beast swinging across the road to Loch Ness, Scotland, which then disappeared into the lake. The story appears in the newspaper and receives worldwide attention. After that, many people claim to have seen the Loch Ness Monster. However, no scientific evidence has been provided. Yet the myth of a monster in the Scottish lake persists.
Before 1933 there were several reports of a monster living in the Scottish lake. But after the Spicer couple met on July 22, 1933 and the ensuing media attention, Nessie secured worldwide fame and has been an indispensable part of the lake ever since. Say “Loch Ness” and chances are someone will complete that with “the Loch Ness Monster”.
Loch Ness is a lake in the Scottish Highlands near the town of Iverness. It is about 37 kilometers long, 1,600 meters wide and about 200 meters deep. Despite the beauty of nature, the biggest source of income for residents around the lake is the monster. Many tourists visit each year to catch a glimpse of the illustrious creature, affectionately known as ‘Nessie’. These tourists bring in $80 million a year.
The Spicers see the monster
On the afternoon of July 22, 1933, the Spicer couple passed by Loch Ness. Suddenly, a huge beast crosses the road. According to George Spicer, the giant creature is over a meter tall and around 8 meters long. It has a neck slightly thicker than an elephant’s trunk and it has no limbs. It swings on the road and has an animal in its mouth. The creature disappears into the lake, leaving the Spicers stunned.
The story appears in August 4 of this year Courier Iverness, after which huge interest arises whether or not the monster exists. The number of sighting reports is also increasing. People say they have seen a creature that looks like a dragon, monster fish, or sea serpent. The name “Loch Ness Monster” became the creature’s permanent name at this time.
“So far and no further. Do not touch the man and leave immediately!
According to tradition, a monster has always lived near the lake. Around 500 BC. AD, the Picts, belonging to the tribe of the Picts, carved a strange aquatic-looking creature on stones around Loch Ness. The 1st described story about the monster dates back to the 7th century AD. A biography of Irish priest St. Columba states that he saw the monster in 565. He is in Scotland to convert people to Christianity. He arrives at the funeral of a man who was allegedly killed by an “aquatic beast”.
Columba sends his assistant into the water, whereupon he is attacked by the beast. The Irish priest brandishes a cross and cries out to the monster: “So far and no further. Don’t touch the man and leave immediately! The monster disappears and the wizard survives the attack. After that, those present convert to Christianity. This incident allegedly took place in the River Ness, which originates in Loch Ness.
Increase the number of observations
Also in the 19th century, reports were made of a beast found in Loch Ness. But as mentioned, attention to the creature increases in the 20th century. On May 2, 1933, an article appeared in the Courier Iverness, which reports a “huge beast with the body of a whale, rolling in the water.” This report is directed by Aldie Mackay, who attended the show in the car with her husband.
After the sighting of the Spicer couple, veterinary student Arthur Grant nearly hit an animal on his motorbike at 1am on January 4, 1934 while driving past Loch Ness. The beast has a small head and a long neck. The student describes the creature as a cross between a seal and a plesiosaur. He draws a sketch of the beast.
Famous Loch Ness Monster Photo Reveals Hoax
On April 19, 1934, surgeon Robert Kenneth Wilson passed Loch Ness. He sees something moving in the water, stops and takes a picture. For decades, this photo was considered the ultimate proof of Nessie’s existence. However, the doctor doesn’t want his name in the photo, which is why it’s called “The Surgeon’s Photo”. The photo shows a creature with a long neck sticking out of the water. In 1994, the truth broke out. It turns out to be a photo of a toy submarine, equipped with an imitation sea serpent head.
In 1938, South African GE Taylor took photos of a creature believed to be in Loch Ness. A single frame of the film is output. Members of the National Institute of Oceanography conclude that the creature in the photo is an inanimate object.
In 1960, Tim Dinsdale recorded a strange bump moving on the water. Skeptics argue it might as well be a boat. Discovery made a documentary in 1993, showing a digital version of the film. In this version, the creature’s rear body resembles a plesiosaur, which was contradicted by critics.
Investigation into the existence of Nessie
The scientific journal The American Scientist in 2013 publishes a study of stories about Nessie. Since the 1930s, many made-up stories have emerged about the creature, according to the magazine. Photos and videos of the monster are also said to be based on deception or that the thing shown is something other than Nessie. The images are blurred, leaving room for interpretation.
Much research has been done on the existence of Nessie. The 1st was made by Edward Mountain in 1934, who searched for the monster with 20 men. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., they scour the lake with binoculars and cameras, but fail to find Nessie. Several sonar surveys were conducted to locate the beast, such as in 1987. In 2003 the BBC sponsored a sonar survey of the monster. No large animals are found in the lake, and scientists conclude that Nessie’s existence is based on a myth. All investigations to date have not provided conclusive evidence of the existence of the sample.
In 2018, scientists will conduct DNA research on animals living in Loch Ness. They find no evidence of a plesiosaur or other large animals in the lake. They find evidence of the existence of different eels. Therefore, researchers cannot rule out that the Loch Ness Monster could be a giant eel.
Explanations for Loch Ness Monster sightings
Still, there are those who maintain that they have seen the monster. Several explanations are possible for this. So the monster is probably a big eel. Inanimate objects can also be mistaken for the monster in bad weather on the water. Also, in certain weather conditions, dark spots may appear on the lake, perhaps because the mountains are reflected in it. These spots could be mistaken for the monster.
Nessie forever!
The Loch Ness Monster is likely to live on in people’s minds, even though the myth is based on hoaxes, exaggerated events and misidentification of objects and animals. Despite the absence of any scientific evidence, there will be those who remain hopeful that there is a large undiscovered aquatic animal waiting to be discovered in Loch Ness.
(Source: Historiek.nl, Britannica.com, NOS.nl, Historiek.net, History.com, Scientificamerican.com, Eenvandaag.avrotros.nl, Wikipedia. Photos: Shutterstock)