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Watch: Mysterious noises and potential sightings reported during biggest search for Nessie in 50 years


By Val Sweeney

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Nessie hunters take up their position for the surface search of Loch Ness.
Nessie hunters take up their position for the surface search of Loch Ness.

Strange noises and potential sightings were reported as hundreds of volunteers took part in the largest surface area search of Loch Ness in 50 years.

Wild weather on Saturday – nicknamed 'Nessie’s Revenge' – did not put off hardy hunters who flocked along both sides of the 23-mile long loch while hundreds more participated online via webcams.

Organisers said highlights of the weekend included four mysterious and previously unheard loud noises from the depths of the loch and possible video footage of the monster with mysterious "humps" filmed on the loch moving, before disappearing.

An online volunteer captured a giant shadow just under the surface, moving, dipping out of sight, then returning and swimming across again while there were multiple submissions of potential sightings via sighting form submissions including streaks in the water.

The event was organised by the recently revamped Loch Ness Centre and Loch Ness Exploration.

Christie McLeod, who travelled to take part from Toronto in Canada, said: "I’ve been hunting the monster for nine years, but this is my first official hunt.

"I’ve previously hired my own boat, so this is great as it’s organised by Loch Ness Exploration with support from the Loch Ness Centre.

"I’ve heard lots of stories from the locals, which all contradict each other.

"There are two types of people in the world, Nessie believers and non-believers, and I’m not interested in the latter. I have a spiritual connection to the Loch Ness monster and think there is a portal to another dimension in the loch."

Searching for the elusive Nessie.
Searching for the elusive Nessie.

Paul Nixon, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre, said the weekend's excitement proved the ongoing hunt for the Loch Ness Monster was still very much alive and continued to draw and attract a global audience from as far as America, Canada, France, Italy and Japan.

"We all want the same thing, to see and find out what the Loch Ness monster is," he said.

"We’ve been delighted to welcome so many people into the Loch Ness Centre for visitor centre tours and Deepscan boat trips across the weekend."

Nessie hunter Steve Feltham, Alan Mckenna of Loch Ness Exploration and author Roland Watson.Alison Gilbert
Nessie hunter Steve Feltham, Alan Mckenna of Loch Ness Exploration and author Roland Watson.Alison Gilbert

Alan McKenna, of Loch Ness Exploration, thanked all the volunteers who had supported the search in person and online.

"It’s been an exceptional weekend, with lots of potential sightings and huge interest from across the globe," he said. "We know the monster is elusive, so it is not surprising we don’t have a concrete sighting but we’ve all had lots of fun and proven the mystery lives on.

"As for what happens next, watch this space."


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