First Encounter: August 4, 1933 it was reported in The Iverness Courier Report that a man named George Spicer, along with his wife, was driving along the loch when they saw what George described as “the nearest approach to a dragon or pre-historic animal that I have ever seen in my life.” It was crossing the road with an animal in its mouth back to the loch.
Description: Plesiosaur; large body (4′ high 25′ long); long neck, thicker than an elephant trunk; no legs reported
Theories: Monster Fish, Sea Serpent, Dragon, Sea Otter, Seal, driftwood.
Folklore: Saint Columba and the Beast in the River Ness
While visiting the Picts people in 565 AD, Saint Columba is said to have performed a miracle involving the Loch Ness monster. Written in the Vita Columbae (the life of St. Columba) by Adamnan, St. Columba used the sign of the cross to save a man in the Loch.
“On another occasion also, when the blessed man was living for some days in the province of the Picts, he was obliged to cross the river Nesa (the Ness); and when he reached the bank of the river, he saw someof the inhabitants burying an unfortunate man, who, according to the account of those who were burying him, was a short time before seized, as he was swimming, and bitten most severely by a monster that lived in the water; his wretched body was, though too late, taken out with a hook, by those who came to his assistance in a boat. The blessed man, on hearing this, was so far from being dismayed, that he directed oneof his companions to swim over and row across the coble that was moored at the farther bank. And Lugne Mocumin hearing the command of the excellent man, obeyed without the least delay, taking off all his clothes, except his tunic, and leaping into the water.
But the monster, which, so far from being satiated, was only roused for more prey, was lying at the bottom of the stream, and when it felt the water disturbed above by the man swimming, suddenly rushed out, and, giving an awful roar, darted after him, with its mouth wide open, as the man swam in the middle of the stream. Then the blessed man observing this, raised his holy hand, while all the rest, brethren as well as strangers, were stupefied with terror, and, invoking the name of God, formed the saving sign of the cross in the air, and commanded the ferocious monster, saying, ‘Thou shalt go no further, nor touch the man; go back with all speed.’ Then at the voice of the saint, the monster was terrified, and fled more quickly than if it had been pulled back with ropes, though it had just got so near to Lugne, as he swam, that there was not more than the length of a spear-staff between the man and thebeast. Then the brethren seeing that the monster had gone back, and that their comrade Lugne returned to them in the boat safe and sound, were struck with admiration, and gave glory to God in the blessed man. And even the barbarous heathens, who were present, were forced by the greatness of this miracle, which they themselves had seen, to magnify the God of the Christians.“
Fake Photographs:
This iconic photo was discovered as a fake. It was later divulged that the famous “Surgeon’s Photo,” as it’s been dubbed, was a staged photo. It was uncovered in 1994 that the creature in the photo was nothing more than a model posted on a toy submarine. This joke was perpetuated by Marmaduke Wetherell who had a grudge against the Mail…
In conclusion, I’m still a firm believer. The Pict people made many stone etchings depicting the monster. I think something is there, or was. Perhaps it’s dead. Scientists haven’t found any hard evidence yet so who knows.
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