Loch Ness Monster Hunters Wanted: How to Join the Big Search

“Calling all monster hunters,” one of the Good Morning America hosts stated today. “The Loch Ness Centre in Scotland is looking for volunteers to join an effort to search for the infamous Loch Ness Monster. Putting out the call to help them put on the largest search since the 1970s, the tourist attraction also saying they plan to employ drones that will produce thermal images of the lake. The search for Nessie is planned for August 26th and 27th.”

Well, that definitely caught my ear as I woke up this morning. I knew who was putting it on and when, but did you need to be there in person, which would obviously be preferable, or would they utilize a live stream to have people watch too?

Except, that made me wonder about something else. Once upon a time, webcams allowed you to watch the lake live from anywhere in the world. Did they still have such things?

A quick Google search revealed they do. Visit Inverness Loch Ness has a page called “Find Nessie” that includes five live-streaming cameras positioned around the lake.

Would they be employed during The Quest Weekend, as the Loch Ness Centre calls the big Nessie search?

I guess you could use them to participate. There’s nothing that says you can’t. But they’re preparing for more of a boots-on-the-ground operation, as evidenced by info under their “Calling All Monster Hunters” section of the event. Let’s dive in a little deeper to see exactly how to participate.

Overview of the Quest Weekend

On their site, the Loch Ness Centre explains they have “partnered with Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), an independent and voluntary research team.” They’ll conduct the “biggest” search “of its kind since the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau (LNIB) studied the Loch in 1972.”

They will also use surveying equipment that has never been used before during a Nessie search, including thermal drones. Hydrophones, which have been used before, will comprise another component of the Loch Ness Monster hunt arsenal.

And, of course, they’ll have eyeballs stationed around the lake during the two-day investigation, but also on it.

How to Sign Up

First, you have to decide whether you want to search from land or on the water. Space seems unlimited from land but is limited for the Nessie Hunter Cruise.

Loch Ness Monster Hunt from the Land

You won’t need a bigger boat for this option. In fact, those staying ashore need no boat at all to participate in a “giant surface watch of the Loch, keeping an eye out for breaks in the water and any inexplicable movements.”

Here’s how it will work:

Each morning, Alan McKenna from LNE will brief volunteers live from the Loch Ness Centre on what to look out for and how to record findings; each day there will also be a debrief from the reimagined centre to go through the day’s findings.

You’ll find a signup link under the “Calling All Monster Hunters” section on the Quest Weekend description page. (Link below under For More Info.)

Loch Ness Monster Hunt Cruise

Forget boots on the ground. This option is for those who want to get their sea legs as close to the action as possible. Deepscan Captain, Alistair Matheson, the Skipper for the Loch Ness Project, will man the helm for your excursion. This is also the option you’d want to pick if you want to try to also listen for Nessie, as they’ll employ a 60-foot hydrophone to scan the depths for any sounds the monster might make.

This option requires both a reservation and a payment of £45 per person. You’ll find a “Book Now” link under the “Nessie Hunter Cruise” section on the Quest Weekend description page. (Link below under For More Info.)

Secrets of the Loch Tour & Talk

The Quest Weekend will also offer a special tour of the Loch Ness Centre, formerly known as the old Drumnadrochit Hotel. But now it’s where you’ll find a Loch Ness Monster museum and gift shop, all of which have recently been renovated. (And which I personally think is driving this Quest Weekend event.)

But no matter what the building is called, it’s part of Loch Ness lore. Some might say it’s even the birthplace of the legend. In 1933, the hotel’s manager, Mrs. Aldie Mackay, made quite a splash when she reported seeing a “whale-like fish” or “water beast” in the Loch.

To this day, there’s debate about whether it was just a scam to drive up tourism or not. But one thing’s for sure: the story has endured, sightings have continued, and Loch Ness still draws the curious and believers alike.

It’s likely all of that will come up during the special tour of the Centre, after which LNE’s Alan Mckenna and Steve Feltham will discuss the possibility of a monster in Loch Ness.

Like the cruise, the talk and tour also require reservations and a separate payment of £30 per person.

For More Info

To participate in the biggest Loch Ness Monster hunt in the last 50 years (and so far this century), visit https://lochness.com/the-quest-weekend.

Check-In

How would you choose to search for Nessie: from the land or the water?