The Great Glen in the Scottish highlands is a rift valley 60 miles long and contains three famous lochs, Lochy, Oich and Ness. The most famous of these is Loch Ness because of the monster said to 'lurk' in its deep waters.  It is deeper than the North Sea and is very long and very, very narrow and has never been known to freeze.

Sightings of the monster, affectionately known as 'Nessie' are legion.

The first recorded account is of an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with the Irish saint, St. Columba in the 6th century.  St. Columba, so the story goes, ordered one of his monks to swim across the loch and fetch a boat.  Halfway across the monster appeared and rushed at the swimmer, roaring in a most frightening way!  Columba cried out at the monster," Go no further, nor touch the man! Go back!"  The monster it is said, fled!

Since then, Nessie has been seen many times but has never harmed anyone.  Sightings have been sporadic over the centuries, but in the 20th century Nessie has been more active, which has had a profound affect on local business!

1933 was the year when the first photograph was taken of the monster, or what could be the monster.  It showed something with a long neck arched  over a thick body. This photograph, taken by a London surgeon caused a sensation when first published in the Daily Mail.  Years later the photographer admitted it was a fake.

In 1951, Lachlan Stuart, a forestry worker who lived beside the loch, also managed to photograph the monster, if that is what it was.  He saw three humps  in the water appear in line, and ran back to his house to get his camera.  After taking one photograph his camera shutter jammed, but his photograph got wide publicity as further proof of Nessie.

Interest in Nessie became intense and over the years several scientific investigations have taken place.  In 1961 the Loch Ness Phenomena Investigation Bureau was formed and even two submarines have been brought into the search with sonar experts on board!  When the submarine Pisces was diving off Castle Urquhart, where the water is 950 feet deep, a vast underwater cavern was found.  Was this Nessie's home?

The circus owner Bertram Mills offered a £20,000 reward to anyone who could capture the monster for his circus, but so far no one has claimed the reward.

In 1975 four firemen from Hemel Hempstead decided that the monster must be a male, as all monsters usually are, so they built a 309 foot long papier-mâché 'lady monster' to attract 'Mr. Nessie'.

It had false eyelashes, full make-up and gave out a pre-recorded mating call.  Unfortunately the mating call turned out to be that of a male walrus, so not unsurprisingly it didn't tempt Nessie!

It didn't help either when the lady monster got damaged when being put into the water.  Her 'behind' was flattened by the jetty when a sudden wind blew her sideways.  The attempt was abandoned.

The Loch Ness monster is not unique it seems - reports of similar creatures have come from other lochs in the West Highlands.  

Nessie provides us with an enduring mystery and in the 21st century where there is an explanation for everything, I for one am pleased that there are still mysteries like the Loch Ness Monster.  Long may he, or she, continue to live in the loch, popping up every now and then to startle and amaze us all!