Scotland is said to be home to another mysterious loch monster besides the famous Loch Ness Monster. The creature, named Morag, is reported to live in Loch Morar in the west Highlands, with sightings stretching back more than a century.
While the Loch Ness Monster is the country's most famous mythical creature, Morag is described as her "long lost cousin." She has her own following among those fascinated by Scotland's folklore and tales of strange creatures.
Early sightings and dramatic encounters
One of the earliest mentions of Morag dates back to 1887, but interest grew in 1948 when nine people reportedly claimed to have spotted a strange creature in the loch, around six metres long, while out on a boat.
The most dramatic encounter came in 1969, when two men reportedly claimed they accidentally hit Morag with their boat. According to the story, the creature disappeared after one of the men hit it with an oar, while the other allegedly started shooting at it with a rifle.
The creature is often described as resembling a plesiosaur, an ancient marine reptile which lived millions of years ago during the age of the dinosaurs, with a long neck and large body. There is no scientific evidence to prove that a monster actually lives in the loch.
A remote and deep loch
Unlike Nessie, Morag has remained something of a hidden gem of Scottish folklore. Loch Morar is more remote than Loch Ness, with a small single track road providing access from one side.
The loch itself stretches for around 16 kilometres through the rugged Highlands and is Scotland's deepest freshwater loch, reaching 310 metres at its deepest point. Surrounded by mountains, woodland and impressive scenery, it is easy to see why stories of a mysterious creature beneath the water have captured people's imaginations.
Sightings of Morag are rare and photographic evidence is even harder to come by, but for folklore enthusiasts, that perhaps only makes the legend more intriguing. Whether Morag is a prehistoric survivor, an unusually large fish or simply a particularly entertaining piece of Highland folklore, the mystery remains.
