The Loch Ness Centre recently led the largest-ever search for Nessie to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the first organised surface watch.
The Quest, which took place at the end of May, concluded with an unexplainable noise being captured during a Deepscan cruise – one of the cornerstone activities of the four-day event centred around the centuries-old search for answers.
Hundreds of guests. From as far afield as Washington State, USA, took part in the hunt along the 23-mile-long loch in the Scottish Highlands. The event was held in and around The Loch Ness Centre, operated by Continuum Attractions, which celebrated the first anniversary of its £1.5m refurb on 10th June.
Among The Quest’s headline events was a hydrophone cruise to listen for mysterious sounds echoing from the depths of the loch, led by Alan McKenna from Loch Ness Exploration. His team captured a unique noise to be analysed – a rhythmic pulsing that lasted about 10 seconds. Alan will now isolate the noise in attempt to identify the source of the fascinating sound that he has never heard before.
Meanwhile, Evelyn Murphy, 11, captured a potential sighting with an intriguing photo, showing a clear break in the water made by an unidentified object or creature.
The Quest took place on the 90th anniversary of the pioneering adventurer Sir Edward Mountain and his team of twenty becoming the first ‘Watchers of the Monster’.
The centre also hosted a live debate with Alan McKenna as well as Roland Watson, a renowned Loch Ness writer, and eyewitness Richard White, which was held in-person and screened virtually to participants from around the world. The panel told gripping stories, discussed their ongoing research, and dissected eyewitness accounts, all while debating the existence of the elusive monster.
Other volunteers explored the depths of the world-famous loch with Deepscan Captain, Alistair Matheson, the Skipper for the Loch Ness Project. Monster hunters joined Alistair and Alan McKenna for an extended excursion, utilising a 60-foot hydrophone to listen for mysterious sounds echoing from the depths of the loch.
Ashley Range, a volunteer who travelled from Washington State to take part in The Quest, said: “I’ve been obsessed with Scotland and Nessie my whole life, and to be here is just a dream. To be on an actual expedition and out on Deepscan exploring Loch Ness is a dream come true. I definitely believe in Nessie. Although a lot of the evidence can be explained, there is a lot out there that is unexplainable. It’s been an incredible trip!”
Paul Nixon, general manager of The Loch Ness Centre, said: “The excitement this weekend has proven that intrigue surrounding Loch Ness and its monster is still very much alive. We all want the same thing, to discover the mysteries of the natural phenomena beneath the loch. We’ve been delighted to welcome so many people to The Loch Ness Centre for hour-long centre tours and Deepscan boat trips across the weekend. After another successful The Quest Weekend, we’re more determined than ever to continue our search for answers.”
Next year’s Quest Weekend is taking place on Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th May 2025. www.lochness.com/thequest
