The earliest written record of the elusive creature in the Scottish Highlands is from the 7th century AD, but we still haven’t got to the bottom of it in big old 2024.
Millions of people have flocked to the freshwater loch over the years in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the mythical creature – but according to this expert, visitors were probably looking at something else entirely.
Alan McKenna is quite the pundit when it comes to Loch Ness Monster trivia, as he’s been obsessed with the idea of ‘Nessie’ since he was a small child.
In December 2021, he decided to put all his knowledge on the long-necked beast to good use and launched his firm Loch Ness Exploration (LNE).
The voluntary research group – based in Scotland, of course – was created to ‘observe, record and study the natural behaviour of Loch Ness and rare phenomena that may be more challenging to explain’.
Like many of those who have gone before them, this team has an arsenal of gadgets to aid their investigation.
A strange phenomenon might be to blame for all the supposed Loch Ness Monster sightings (Keystone/Getty Images)
McKenna explained that he uses drones and hydrophone equipment, which records and detects sounds underwater, to cover all bases at the loch.
And during his extensive research, the LNE founder has come across something which he believes could explain supposed sightings of the Loch Ness Monster.
Debunking the Loch Ness Monster
He claims that Nessie enthusiasts might have been duped into thinking they had ran into the humpbacked creature due to ‘standing waves’ in the water.
“A standing wave occurs when two boat wakes of the exact same frequency and amplitude are moving in opposite directions on the loch surface,” McKenna told the Daily Mail.
“When the two boat wakes finally meet and interfere with one another the results have the potential to create a standing wave.”
The Nessie hunter explained that when these emerge in calm waters, it would be easy for an untrained eye to mistake them for ‘humps’ protruding above the surface.
He captured footage of the strange phenomenon taking place at a point on its southern shore where a river meets the legendary loch.
But getting video evidence of a boat wake causing a standing wave further out isn’t as simple, according to McKenna.
Researcher Alan McKenna believes ‘standing waves’ are to blame (Lochness.com)
“The waves and the boat wake need to be identical,” he continued. “So with all that in mind, there’s now a lot more to consider here such as the boat itself, its size, the direction of travel and its current speed.
“A small boat with a smaller engine will most definitely produce a wake different from a much larger boat.
“It’s a complex procedure, especially in open water, but it can happen.”
Gathering the evidence
Still, McKenna is optimistic that he will eventually gain the evidence of the standing waves he needs even while venturing further into the loch.
“We know that standing waves exist and they have been reported, but what we don’t have is the footage showing a natural standing wave in motion,” the expert said.
McKenna added that he had hoped to ‘capture as much natural phenomena’ as he could after launching LNE, to aid his ‘process of elimination’ and find out what the craic really is with Nessie.
However, he only takes heed of tip offs from expert locals who are familiar with Loch Ness as they see it ‘everyday’.
McKenna went on: “If you are unfamiliar with Loch Ness and its natural behaviour then I do believe that many people will be fooled by the water and certain illusions – it’s easily done!
“We’ve had many potential candidates over the years for ‘Nessie’ such as giant eels, long-necked seals, Greenland shark, large sturgeon, catfish and many others.
“But truth be told, none of us have the correct answer and that’s what keeps this mystery going.”
Featured Image Credit: Keystone/Getty Images/Lochness.com/Alan McKenna
Topics: UK News, Weird, Loch Ness Monster, Conspiracy Theory
Olivia Burke
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Wowcher drops £18 mystery deal with luxury prizes worth hundreds
Just in time for Christmas
This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.
It’s not too late to impress with your Christmas present this year, as Wowcher has launched an £18 mystery deal that could see you bag a Louis Vuitton wallet worth £490.
In an offer you don’t want to miss, the luxury brand’s cult Sarah Wallet could be yours with the click of a button alongside a range of other high-end items – and people are rushing to take part.
Over 17,650 tickets have sold so far in the run-up to Christmas with the mystery deal set to close when all products sell out so if you’re keen, you’ll need to move fast.
There’s the option to purchase either a standard tier ticket for £12 or a premium tier ticket for £18. If you purchase the £12 product option, prizes include the likes of a Vivienne Westwood necklace worth £110, Michael Kors stud earrings worth £69, a John Lewis voucher worth £50 or a Hotel Chocolat Wreath Box worth £49.95.
If you purchase the £18 mystery deal, you’ll be in with the chance of winning even bigger prizes. From a £490 Louis Vuitton wallet to a £500 Harrods gift voucher, find out what you could take home below.
Louis Vuitton Sarah Wallet, worth £490
Louis Vuitton
The Louis Vuitton Sarah Wallet is undoubtedly this year’s hero prize. One of the luxury brand’s most iconic designs, it’s emblazoned with the LV monogram in classic brown with two large compartments, a central zipped coin pocket, and multiple card slots. At £490, this is a deal you don’t want to miss out on.
Harrods gift card, worth £500
Harrods
As though that wasn’t enough to see you enter, there’s also a Harrods gift card loaded with £500 up for grabs – just in time for the holiday season. There’s only one available but you need to be in it to win it, right?
Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer, worth £329.99
Dyson
With thousands of glowing five-star reviews, you don’t need to be a beauty expert to have heard of the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer. At a cool £329.99, it doesn’t come cheap, and this could be a good chance to get your hands on one before Christmas.
Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum, worth £85
Dior
Famously one of the world’s most loved aftershaves, Dior’s Sauvage Eau de Parfum has been well received by customers, and you don’t need to hope there’s one in your stocking this year. There’s one up for grabs in the mystery deal and it’ll save you £85.
The White Company Gift Set, worth £35
The White Company
An excellent gift idea, The White Company’s Seychelles Gift Set is also included in the mystery offer, and it’s sure to put a smile on someone’s face this festive season. There are 10 available so you might just be in with a chance.
How to enter the Wowcher mystery deal
Let’s get down to the T’s and C’s. It’s important to note that the items are chosen at random and you may receive multiples of the same product if you purchase multiples of the deal. You will not know whether you’ll receive a high-value or low-value product, but that’s all part of the fun isn’t it?
According to Wowcher, the item will be shipped within five days of purchase. There are 19,796 items available in total and you can find the full list here. The deal will end at 23:59pm (GMT) on 5 October 2026 or until the offer sells out.
Keen to be in with a chance of winning? Enter the mystery deal now. Good luck!
Featured Image Credit: Getty/ Louis Vuitton
Danielle Fowler
‘Compelling new evidence’ of Loch Ness Monster ‘spotted’ by family in new photo
Parry and Hannah Malm were sceptics until they saw this at the infamous Scottish Loch…
While there’s plenty of characters and mystical creatures that we’re told stories of growing up, there’s one in particular that people truly believe is actually real.
And no, I’m not talking about Santa (because obviously he’s not fictional) or the Boogeyman being under your bed.
It’s the Loch Ness Monster that really has people on a hill defending its existence.
Adding to their case, there’s apparently been ‘compelling new evidence’ of Nessie ‘spotted’ by a family in a new photo.
It’s said to be the first sighting of the year, with the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register logging it.
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The family reckon they saw Nessie. (Northpix)
The site has 1,157 sightings at Scotland’s Loch Ness recorded to date, despite a lot of ‘evidence’ of its existence having previously been discredited.
It is widely thought that the monster in the Loch is a myth and the first written account of it appears in a 7th-century biography of St. Columbia. But a lot of the alleged encounters are said to have been inspired by Scottish folklore.
Yet, no matter what, people are faithful that the mysterious monster exists in those Scottish waters. And hey, some people just like having something to believe in and I guess this ‘monster’ is supposedly harmless.
There’s been various explorations, hunts, and research projects into finding the Loch Ness Monster – and none have been successful.
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He’s now convinced something’s in there. (Northpix)
But Parry and Hannah Malm reckon they saw it on 4 April.
Visiting Urquhart Castle with their kids, they snapped a picture of what they think is Nessie itself.
“Shannon spotted the black head of an animal bobbing up and down. I was a total sceptic before but now I think there must be something there,” Parry said to the Daily Star.
Photos taken by the family show something dark popping out above the surface of the loch.
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What do you reckon? (Northpix)
He added to the Official Register: “At first thought was driftwood, but slowly but surely made its way north towards the castle. Looked like a head above the waves. Was difficult to determine with naked eye.”
Marking 90 years since the first organised search for Nessie, NASA is getting involved in looking for the monster.
From 30 May to 2 June, the space agency will lend their expertise for the Loch Ness Monster search.
Aimee Todd, marketing manager of the Loch Ness Centre told the Daily Star: “We are hoping that experts from NASA might have some advanced imaging technology to scan the loch.
“We would have to sit down and talk to them about how to get it here.”
Featured Image Credit: Northpix
Topics: Loch Ness Monster, UK News, Conspiracy Theory
Jess Battison
Man spots ‘distinct’ 18ft long shape while hunting for Loch Ness Monster in new footage
Does this footage capture another glimpse of Nessie?
True believers in the Loch Ness Monster have been thrown another bone in the form of a potential sighting of the legendary beast.
That’s because a camera has caught sight of something emerging from Loch Ness which surely can only be some part of the body of a mythical creature which dwells beneath the waters of the Scottish loch.
Over the years there’s been plenty who’ve said they’ve caught sight of the quite possibly non-existent creature, with over 1,000 supposed sightings.
One of the recent entries comes from a family who say they snapped a picture of Nessie poking just above the waterline, but that might just have been a bit of driftwood.
Then there’s the guy who claimed he found the Loch Ness Monster and buried it underneath a school, but that sounds a little difficult to believe.
Can you spot Nessie in this incredibly clear image? (Penn News)
The bread and butter of Loch Ness Monster adorers comes in the form of fresh videos and pictures of Nessie in Loch Ness itself.
The latest in a long line of these is Eoin O’Faodhagain, who said he was watching the water via webcam on Friday (19 April) when his ‘heart jumped’ as he caught sight of a large black shape breaking the water’s surface.
“I noticed a spot in the water causing a disturbance at the edge of the webcam screen to the right,” he said of his Nessie sighting.
“My heart jumped because I thought this disturbance was not the norm.
“The spot of this disturbance gets bigger and longer, and it changes over the course of the sighting.
“The estimated size of the disturbance is 18 feet at its longest. I examined the footage and I am convinced it is not a surface vessel of any kind, because it keeps changing its appearance.”
Look over there, it’s possibly the Loch Ness Monster! (Penn News)
He said the footage ‘needs further analysis’ as ‘there are no known creatures in Loch Ness that size’.
The 59-year-old thinks ‘it could be the Loch Ness Monster’ and said what he saw was ‘into the realm of Nessie’ but it sounds like more work needs to be done to figure out whether we’ve got a bona fide sighting.
Considering that no official proof has been found in the search for the Loch Ness Monster this is the best true believers are going to get for their dedication.
O’Faodhagain made his sighting using a webcam maintained by Mikko Takala of Nessie on the Net which is located near Urquhart Castle on the western shore of Loch Ness.
O’Faodhagain described his potential Loch Ness Monster sighting as ‘quite distinct’ due to the calmness of the water around his picture.
The Nessie on the Net webcams can be seen at www.lochness.co.uk
Featured Image Credit: Penn News
Topics: UK News, Conspiracy Theory, Loch Ness Monster
Joe Harker
Loch Ness Monster ‘spotted’ in drone footage from wild camper
Outdoorsman and professional pilot Richard Mavor was left stunned by what he saw on film
It’s one of Scotland’s greatest mysteries that has done wonders for tourism in the Highlands, but the Loch Ness Monster remains as elusive as ever.
The mythical creature has been carrying the the country‘s folklore on it’s back singlehandedly for the last nine decades, but we’re still waiting for it to formally introduce itself.
Plenty of believers are still heading down to Scotland‘s famous Loch Ness in the hopes of catching a glimpse at the beast, however, we haven’t got any firm proof of it yet.
Thankfully though, the latest generation of Nessie hunters are pretty tech savvy and can use all kinds of mod cons on their missions to try and track the legendary creature down.
Or, you might just be a wild camper who seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Take a look at this:
Outdoorsman and professional pilot Richard Mavor was left stunned when he spotted something which appeared to resemble the large long-necked beast.
The 55-year-old shared an extraordinary clip on YouTube showing what he had captured lurking near the banks by sending his drone high up above the water.
Richard had been out shooting content for a video he was creating, while aiming to conquer the 62-mile Great Glen Canoe Trail in August 2021 to raise money for the charity Alzheimer’s Society.
But when he and his pals rewatched the footage, they noticed there was a mysterious figure which seemed to be swimming in the water alongside them.
Speaking to the Daily Record about his drone ‘discovery’, the outdoors lover said: “I couldn’t believe it.
Richard Mavor thought he’d got Nessie on film (YouTube/Richard Outdoors)
“I had to rewind the footage several times and have watched it several times since. I don’t know what it is but it certainly has the same shape as previous sightings of Nessie,” he said. “The more I watch it I think, ‘Crikey!’
“There really wasn’t anything in the area that could be. There was no driftwood or anything like that so who knows.
“I didn’t notice what I had picked up until others told me to watch out for it.
“It could be a trick of the light but we can’t be sure.”
Although the alleged sighting sparked a buzz among Nessie hunters, experts weren’t as easily pleased and suggested that it was likely a hoax.
Steve Feltham, who has ‘sat watching and waiting on the shores of Loch Ness full time since 1991 for one decent sighting’, told LADbible said he was certain it wasn’t the real deal.
But experts reckoned the clip taken by the wild camper was a hoax (YouTube/Richard Outdoors)
He leaned more towards the idea which YouTube channel ParaBreakdown had put forward, as the content creator claimed that ‘Nessie’ was actually a toy plesiosaurus.
Steve told us in 2021: “Hoax. No question about it. I would expect a confession along the lines of, ‘Fair cop, it was just for a laugh, it was for charity, etc.’, any time soon.
“I have spent many hours as a passenger in a microlite flying low over the loch, trying to spot a silhouette in the dark waters, and things just do not show up that clearly.”
The mystery of the Loch Ness Monster has been puzzled over for almost 100 years, with the creature often described as large, long-necked and with one or more humps protruding from the water.
And according to Mr Feltham, who got ‘hooked’ on the search for Nessie when he was just a boy, the mystery continues despite the excitement surrounding the most recent video.
He went on: “lt seems that Mavor had duplicated a bit of the film. There was a perfect match. Mavors had actually duplicated a few frames of the shot to use elsewhere in his travelog video giving us a perfect ‘before and after’ shot.”
