Nessie petition launched in bid for national animal status
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A CAMPAIGN to get the legendary Loch Ness Monster recognised as the national animal of Scotland has been launched by an Inverness cruise company.
Cruise company Loch Ness by Jacobite – is urging the public to support Nessie’s quest to be formally recognised as a more relevant national animal.
Currently, Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn – a legacy from William I’s decision to use the creature on his coat of arm
The first "sighting" of a mystery creature in Loch Ness dates back to 565AD, and the age-old question that she may or may not still swim the Highland waters is worth millions to Scottish tourism annually.
Earlier this week the Highland News told how internet giant Google launched its own quest to survey the waters for the monster.
It is now hoped that the public will get behind Scotland’s most famous mythical creature, by signing a petition at http://bit.ly/nessie4national which will be presented to the Scottish Government in an effort to secure Nessie a place in the country’s legacy.
Freda Newton, of Loch Ness by Jacobite, said: “We have been running tours of Loch Ness for 40 years now, with many of our visitors coming to search for, or at least catch a glimpse of one of the world’s most famous monster.
“Nessie is an icon and an asset. There is no doubt she attracts hundreds of tourists to Scotland every year and she deserves recognition. If not as our National Animal, then at least she should be awarded the title of Scotland’s National Monster.
“A formal nod to Nessie’s fame is long overdue. Those who wish to back the campaign should sign the petition now and show their support on Twitter.”
