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Couple ‘want to believe’ they filmed Loch Ness Monster before early morning swim


By Gregor White

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A couple have said they spotted something that could be Nessie while swimming in the loch last weekend. Picture: James Mackenzie
A couple have said they spotted something that could be Nessie while swimming in the loch last weekend. Picture: James Mackenzie

A couple say they “want to believe” they have filmed Nessie after spotting a mysterious shape before an early morning swim at Loch Ness.

Aga Balinska (42) and Matty Wiles (49) cancelled a holiday to the Lake District after hearing that the biggest search for the mythical creature in 50 years was taking place last weekend.

They braved downpours last Saturday with other international enthusiasts and got up at 6.30am on Sunday to go for a dip in the loch.

The water was still and as they got out from having a swim they say they saw a squiggly line on the horizon – which then moved to the left and disappeared.

Ms Balinska compared it to the individual “humps” commonly seen as Nessie ornaments.

The couple, from Hull, East Yorkshire, share a fascination with Nessie.

Mr Wiles said: “We were booked to go to the Lake District a couple of weeks ago but heard about this on social media. We cancelled so we could go.

“We aren’t sure it’s Nessie, we can’t be 100 per cent certain. We want to believe it.

“We went down to the beach at 6.30am and we saw it before we got in the water.

“We wanted to swim out to it but it was too far out. We turned and it had gone to the left, then it disappeared.

“The loch was like a millpond, there was no mistaking it for a wave.

“It stood out three or four feet from the water.”

Ms Balinska said: “At first we were really excited about it.

“It looked like the humps which you can get to put on a shelf, in a gift shop.

“We didn’t expect any of that to happen, we heard there were a few other people who saw something.

“It was a really good day out.”

Their story came hot on the heels of another "sighting" reported in national media this week but in actual fact dating back to 2018.

It was then that Chie Kelly (51) snapped what she believes might be Nessie at Dores.

It is reported that she believes what she photographed was "definitely" an animal but that she kept the pictures secret for fear of public ridicule, only changing her mind after being inspired by last week's big hunt event.

Separately a sixth sighting for 2023 was added to the official register this week.

Alastair Gray, who was taking part in the Loch Ness Exploration search, reported that at 3.20pm on Saturday, August 26 he saw something unusual half way across the loch from his position near Invermoriston.


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