Eighty years after the first modern sighting of the Loch Ness Monster, an academic is analysing over 1,000 eyewitness accounts, noting that many come from hotel proprietors. This has led to speculation that the creature, known as Nessie, may be a tourist conspiracy.
The first reported sighting occurred on 14 April 1933, when hotel manageress Mrs Aldie Mackay saw a 'whale-like fish' in the loch while driving with her husband. Her account was published in the Inverness Courier on 2 May 1933, sparking widespread interest.
Dr Charles Paxton, a research fellow at St Andrew's University, has reviewed 800 of the 1,000 recorded sightings. He found that a significant number came from cafe and hotel owners, including Mrs Mackay. However, she remained anonymous in the initial report and was not seeking publicity.
Tourism driven by Nessie brings over £1 million annually to the area, according to Visit Scotland. Adrian Shine, who runs the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, admits he initially sought fame and fortune but has become more sceptical over time. He believes most witnesses are sincere.
Dr Paxton is using the Loch Ness phenomenon to study how science handles anecdotal data. The infamous 'surgeon's photograph' from 1934, which fuelled interest, was later revealed to be a hoax involving a toy submarine.
