15 October 2023 , 07:03
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Loch Ness Monster sightings may not be as common as they are but it's got nothing to do with not believing - red tape is behind the lack of official reports.
There have seven recorded by the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register already in 2023 - the same number of last year. But that's far fewer than half of 2021's total and it's all down to a tightening of the rules and not because people no longer think the legend is swimming in the deep.
Tough criteria over webcam sightings has seen less sightings accepted from Nessie Hunters who refuse to give up hope that the creature of Scottish folklore does exist. The last lodged report was on August 31 after Fiona Wade, who visiting the area with family, reported seeing something in the water similar to a report by Alastair Gray days before.
Siobhan Janaway provided evidence in August - one of four registered sightings that monthShe said: "It was almost identical to that seen on Saturday and probably in a very similar location, I might add that I was not aware of this sighting on Saturday until returning home this evening. It initially looked like a periscope but then two curved areas followed, it was moving and about half way out in the Loch looking roughly over to mid way between Foyers and Whitebridge.
"I have seen deer crossing before but this was like nothing I have seen before and I can only describe it as Nessie as I can't think of any logical thing it could have been. It was large enough to catch my eye and it appeared to leave a slight wake behind it". She says it lasted between 30 and 40 seconds before whatever it was disappeared.
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There's a reason why Loch Ness Monster sightings are down (Getty Images)It was the fourth sighting that month. Steve Valentine, visiting from Urmston in Manchester, was on holiday with his family when he saw something from a boat. He said: "I just saw a black shape in the water. It was when we were returning to the dock near to Urquhart Castle. I lost sight of it when the boat turned, but managed to get a quick photo from a distance."
Towards the end of August, Siobhan Janaway, who lives locally, reported: "There was something causing turmoil in the water off Foyers point then it coalesced into a single object moving at speed just under the surface causing at least a 20m white wake"
Gary Campbell, keeper of the official register, said today: "This year has been an average year for sightings - and that is due to a much stricter acceptance by the webcam operators of what is a clear unexplained sighting. Their criterion has changed and we accept that. In an average year we have about four or five good sightings. Nessie has not gone away."