This two-day survey, touted as the most extensive in 50 years, employs advanced technology such as thermal-imaging drones, infrared cameras, and a hydrophone to detect underwater sounds in the lake’s murky waters. People from around the world are participating remotely by watching the lake via webcams.
Alan McKenna, a representative from the Loch Ness Centre, stated that the primary objective of this expedition is to “inspire a new generation of Loch Ness enthusiasts.” The search team is focused on identifying breaks in the lake’s surface and is encouraging volunteers to record any natural behaviors observed in the Loch.
McKenna emphasized that not every ripple or wave should be attributed to the Loch Ness monster, as many phenomena have reasonable explanations. However, there are instances where the cause remains unexplained.
The Loch Ness Centre, situated at the former Drumnadrochit Hotel, is where the modern-day legend of Nessie began. The legend dates back to 1933 when the hotel’s manager, Aldie Mackay, reported a sighting of a “water beast” in the lake. Loch Ness, the largest body of freshwater by volume in the United Kingdom and one of the deepest, has since been the subject of countless sightings, hoaxes, and eyewitness accounts related to the elusive monster.
While skeptics argue that many of these sightings can be attributed to natural phenomena such as floating logs or weather patterns, the Loch Ness monster legend has remained a significant draw for tourism in the picturesque Scottish Highlands region.