Loch Ness Monster hunters join largest search in decades for mythical beast
Mystery has surrounded the fabled Loch Ness Monster for decades and this weekend amateur sleuths are joining the largest search for the mythical beast since 1972.
Staff at the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit have teamed up with the independent and voluntary research team Loch Ness Exploration (LNE) in an effort to “uncover the truth, 90 years after the famous sighting”.
The surface water survey today and tomorrow has been billed as the largest of its kind since the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau (LNIB) studied the area for signs of the fabled Nessie in 1972.
Surveying equipment that has never been used on the loch before will be deployed to uncover the secrets of the mysterious waters.
A view of Loch Ness from Urquhart Castle. Pic: Yui Mok/PA
This will include drones which will produce thermal images of the water from the air using infrared cameras, as it is believed observing heat from above could provide a crucial component for identifying any strange anomalies.
A hydrophone will also be used to detect acoustic signals under the water, listening for any Nessie-like calls, as well as other technology that could prove useful in the search.
How volunteers will help search
Budding monster hunters are invited to join the quest.
Volunteers will be asked to keep an eye out for any breaks in the water or any other inexplicable movements over the weekend.
The Loch Ness Centre. Pic: Muckle Media
Each morning, Alan McKenna from LNE will brief volunteers at the centre on what to look out for and how to record findings. There will also be a debrief in the afternoon to go through the day’s events.
Mr McKenna said: “It’s our hope to inspire a new generation of Loch Ness enthusiasts and by joining this large-scale surface watch, you’ll have a real opportunity to personally contribute towards this fascinating mystery that has captivated so many people from around the world.”
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The Loch Ness Centre is located at the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, where it is said manageress Aldie Mackay reported seeing a “water beast” in Loch Ness 90 years ago.
The story sparked a global and long-lasting fascination with finding the elusive monster, spawning hoaxes and hundreds of eyewitness accounts.
Numerous theories have been put forward over the years, including that the creature may have been a plesiosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile, a giant eel or even a swimming circus elephant.
Paul Nixon, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre, said: “We are guardians of this unique story, and as well as investing in creating an unforgettable experience for visitors, we are committed to helping continue the search and unveil the mysteries that lie underneath the waters of the famous loch.
“The weekend gives an opportunity to search the waters in a way that has never been done before, and we can’t wait to see what we find.”
Loch Ness is about the same depth as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Pic: VisitScotland
Not only is Loch Ness perhaps the country’s most well-known loch, but it is also Scotland’s second deepest – after Loch Morar in the Highlands – and comes in at about 745ft at its deepest point.
Loch Ness is also Scotland’s biggest loch by volume and contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
It is about the same depth as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the towers of which sit at a height of 746ft above water.
UK
MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace steps down as Kirsty Wark among 13 who claim he made inappropriate sexual jokes
MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has stepped down over allegations he made a series of inappropriate sexual comments on a range of programmes over 17 years.
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark is among 13 people who have made claims, with Wallace being investigated by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK.
In an interview with the BBC, the Newsnight presenter, who was a celebrity contestant on MasterChef in 2011, claimed Wallace used “sexualised language”.
“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if it was anyone engaged with this,” Wark said.
“It was completely one-way traffic. I think people were uncomfortable and something that I really didn’t expect to happen.”
Sky News has contacted Wallace’s representative for comment.
Kirsty Wark. File pic: PA
‘Fully cooperating’
Banijay UK said the complaints were made to the BBC this week by “individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with Gregg Wallace on one of our shows”.
The company said the 60-year-old, who has been a co-presenter and judge of the popular cooking show since 2005, was “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”.
“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate,” the company said.
“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.
“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
“Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
Previous investigation
Last month, Wallace responded to reports that a previous BBC review had found he could continue working at the corporation following reports of an alleged incident in 2018 when he appeared on Impossible Celebrities.
Wallace said those claims had been investigated “promptly” at the time and said he had not said “anything sexual” while appearing on the game show more than half a decade ago.
In an Instagram post following an article in The Sun newspaper, he wrote: “The story that’s hitting the newspapers was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC.
“And the outcome of that was that I hadn’t said anything sexual. I’ll need to repeat this again. I didn’t say anything sexual.”
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Alongside MasterChef, Wallace presented Inside The Factory for BBC Two from 2015.
Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014. Pic: PA
Wallace has featured on various BBC shows over the years, including Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Supermarket Secrets, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2014.
He was made an MBE for services to food and charity last year.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will be transmitted as planned, the PA news agency understands.
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