Loch Ness viewed through camp fire

Loch Ness viewed through camp fire, originally uploaded by Citril.

Taken on Loch Ness.

Nessie's first famous recorded sighting was by St Columba in 565AD. Although there have been rumours down the centuries, it was in 1933 that the monster really hit the headlines. The A82 was being constructed, which involved much drilling and blasting along the west bank of the loch. During this '33 and '34 there were numerous sightings and this led to and inconclusive investigation.

Loch Ness is the largest loch in the UK, at 24 miles long, 1 mile wide and up to 740 feet deep. And, take it from me, it is freezing!!! 7 rivers flow into the loch, which lies in a natural geographical fault which stretches the width of Scotland. In 1822 the Caledonian Canal, built by engineer Thomas Telford, was completed, enabling ships to travel from the east to the west of Scotland. Later that year a photograph was taken by a London surgeon that seemed to show a sinuous head and neck rising out of the water.

Over the years there have been many sightings, photos and investigations - some resulting in interesting 'proof', others drawing a blank. But there are still sightings (some very sober, serious folk in our congregation clame to have seen something!), and there is always and air of mystery when you visit the loch.