Press release -
There's (still) something in the water...
One of the world’s greatest and most enduring mysteries will be celebrated this Sunday (14 April) when a special boat trip marks the 80th anniversary of the first modern sighting of the Loch Ness Monster.
On 14 April 1933, Mrs Aldie Mackay, manageress of the Drumnadrochit Hotel, spoke of seeing a “whale-like fish” in the loch. Alex Campbell, a water bailiff and part-time journalist, recorded the sighting in the Inverness Courier, under the headline: “Strange Spectacle in Loch Ness”.
Exactly eight decades on since Mrs Mackay first saw something strange in the loch, a group of monster buffs will head out on to the water to raise a glass of whisky to the woman whose sighting sparked a phenomenon that continues to captivate the world.
Adrian Shine, leader of the Loch Ness Research Project and designer of the five-star Loch Ness Exhibition in Drumnadrochit, will lead the excursion, which also includes Edinburgh Fortean Society President, Gordon Rutter, Loch Ness investigator Dick Raynor and a number of other noted Loch Ness specialists.
A single malt, “Superstition”, has been specially selected to mark the occasion, along with a blend of port and brandy named “Conviction”. Members of the boat party will also enjoy a slice of “Nessie at 80” birthday cake designed and made by Drumnadrochit’s own Cobb’s Bakery.
Although Nessie herself has not yet confirmed her attendance, she will not be left out of the party, receiving her own beer liberation poured in the loch courtesy of local, Loch Ness Brewery.
Adrian Shine, one of VisitScotland’s ‘Meet the Scots’ ambassadors and Loch Ness expert said: “Even without Nessie, Loch Ness is a place of great beauty and remarkable intrigue, but the first modern sighting by Mrs Mackay was a key date in history, not only for Loch Ness, but for Scotland as a whole.”
Malcolm Roughhead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said:“It would be difficult to overstate the importance of Mrs Mackay’s sighting of the Loch Ness Monster to tourism in Scotland. There are few places in the world where people haven’t heard of the phenomenon and the 80th anniversary is sure to spark renewed interest and encourage even more visitors to come here and see if they can spot Nessie for themselves.”
Graeme Ambrose, Executive Director at Destination Loch Ness, said:“Clearly Mrs MacKay’s sighting has had a huge impact on the worldwide perception and tourism potential of Loch Ness. The icing on the cake is that there is even more to this fascinating area beyond the monster, and we know that visitors to Loch Ness are intrigued, inspired and impressed by what they do see.”
On Saturday 13 April there will also be a gathering at The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition in Drumnadrochit. The reception will include local experts and will meet in Mrs Mackay’s old dining room (now The Loch Ness Exhibition foyer). Naturalist Adrian Shine will welcome everyone and Mrs Mackay will make an appearance by way of her filmed interview from some 20 years ago.
Kate Turnbull
Corporate Press Manager
0131 4722324 / 07854 401040
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
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- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
