MONSTERS, CRYPTIDS AND SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
LOCH NESS MONSTER
Nessie, Niseag, Nessiteras Rhombopteryx
The Loch Ness Monster is a creature from Scottish folklore, that dates back as far as 1,500 years ago. It dwells within the waters of Loch Ness in the highlands of Scotland and is described as a large long-necked reptilian said to have a striking resemblance to the plesiosaur, that became extinct during the Cretaceous period about 66 million years ago. Scholars of the Loch Ness Monster have discovered many references to “Nessie” throughout Scottish history, dating back to around 500 A.D., when local Picts carved a strange aquatic creature into standing stones near Loch Ness. It is one of the most famous cryptids worldwide and has therfore been subject to numerous sightings and hoaxes over the years, many of which have been debunked. Probably the most famous of these hoaxes was the "surgeon's photograph" which was a photo of the creature's head and neck taken by Robert Kenneth Wilson, a London gynaecologist, published in the Daily Mail on 21 April 1934. However, Since 1994, most agree that the photo was an elaborate hoax and the scientific community regards the Loch Ness Monster as a phenomenon without biological basis, explaining sightings as hoaxes, wishful thinking, and the misidentification of mundane objects. Although efforts to find any credible evidence of the animal have failed, it hasn’t dampened the public’s enthusiasm.
Physiology:
The Loch Ness Monster is describes as having a long sinuous neck, an enormous body with 1-3 humps, a long tail and seal-like flippers. It is said to resemble the plesiosaur, a dinosaur, that became extinct 66 million years ago.
Etylmology:
There is no scientific, descriptive or cultural origin linked to the naming of this creature beyond it being called a “monster” Its etymology is basic and merely denotes that it is an extraordinary or fearsome creature associated with Loch Ness.
History:
The first modern sighting of the creature in the loch was in the 1870s, when D. Mackenzie claimed to have seen something "wriggling and churning up the water", although the account was not published until 1934. Research however indicates that several newspapers did publish items about a creature in the loch well before 1934.
Territory:
Scotland
Origination:
The earliest report of the monster appears in the Life of St. Columba by Adomnán, written in the sixth century AD. Irish monk Saint Columba saw locals burying a man and explained he was killed whilst swimming in the river by a "water beast" that mauled him and dragged him underwater. Columba sent a follower, Luigne moccu Min, to swim across. When the beast approached him, Columba made the sign of the cross saying "Go no further. Do not touch the man. Go back at once. The creature stopped and fled, and Columba's men and the Picts gave thanks for what they perceived as a miracle.
Nature:
The Loch Ness Monster is not a creature that inspires fear, but one that inspires wonder. Although its origin story portrays it as an unholy sea serpant, it is rarely referred to as being hostile or evil and most sightings over its long history have been without instance or drama.
Modus Operandi:
An elusive and solitary creature, that is rarely seen despite the many attempts to locate it whereabouts within the loch over the years. On the rare occasions it is sighted it is most often distant, only partially breaking the waters surface to reveal its head and neck, sometimes also a portion of its large body in the form of a hump.
Vulnerability:
The Loch Ness Monster is not recorded as being of supernatural origin, but a natural creature, albeit extremely outlandish. As there are no accounts of physical interaction with it, that would yield information to its strengths or weaknesses beyond its enormous size, we can speculate that as a flesh and blood creature it would be susceptible to standard measures, such as heavy weaponry or chemicals, if such were necessary. With regards to St. Columba’s interaction with the monster, it suggests that it can be repelled by religious iconography and is therefore inherently evil. However, the 1500 years following this account have as yet shown no evidence of this and “Nessie” has, if anything become somewhat of a benign occupant of the loch.