Photo was taken from: https://time.com/5631953/storm-loch-ness-history/
“Suregon’s Photograph”
The legend of the Loch Ness Monster originates from Scottish folklore and a long history of storytelling dating back to almost the first century A.D. In fact, the famous monster has been nicknamed “Nessie” and was first spotted in the year 565 in Scotland’s River Ness. Though the story remained fairly under wraps, popularity and curiosity in Nessie’s existence regained strength following the construction of a new pathway next to the lake that inspired more visitors in the 1930’s. As a result, more eyewitness stories reached the public and generated new discussions around its existence. Though most of the scientific community denies the monster’s existence and explains it as a phenomenon, the hoaxes remain relevant in the current discussion about the long-running conspiracy.
More of the modern interest in the unknown animal arose when George Spicer and his wife saw a large animal cross the road in front of their moving car in 1933. Unable to identify it as an animal they were familiar with, they described it as a long-necked, dinosaur looking animal as it disappeared into the lake. After multiple eyewitness accounts followed, the most famous photograph of the Loch Ness Monster was taken by Colonel Robert Wilson in 1934. Known as the “Surgeon’s Photograph” today, it has been confirmed to be a hoax, but nevertheless, it excited more and more discussion and curiosity about the Loch Ness monster in general.
Many explanations exist to attempt to understand the Loch Ness Monster sightings. One of the most likely reasons for this confusion is due to the misidentification of animals. Many conspiracy rebukers insist that what many perceive as a monster in the Loch Ness is really just an eel, a fish, a seal, or a shark. Considering the theory has been alive for many years, visitors that catch a glimpse of something mysterious are likely to attribute it to the mysterious monster. The excitement of the unknown can often distort eyewitness perspectives. These images can also be a result of inanimate objects in the lake, such as trees, optical illusions on the water from the sun, or even wakes created in the water. Because much of the folklore that we are aware of today comes from so many centuries ago, it is likely that the description of the monster is up for interpretation and change. Seeing a horse-like creature and a bull-like creature in the water can ignite the same curiosity in people who have an unknown and curious concept in their minds of this animal.
Some hoax attempts have been successful to a certain degree, and the amount of uncertainty that still exists surrounding new clear photography leads many to believe that there is some mysterious creature in Scotland’s Loch Ness. Whether they are mistaking Nessie for some other aquatic animal, it can be agreed upon that the water in the Loch Ness is more mysterious than most other lakes around the world.
Information from: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2086120/loch-ness-monster-photos-sightings-theories/
I have always been interested in this conspiracy theory and loved the movie “The Water Horse,” which is based off of the Loch Ness monster. I didn’t know much about its origins, but I learned a lot from your blog! Folklore, especially as old as the Loch Ness monster story, can easily be interpreted in numerous different ways as it is passed down over the years.
I did not know that the famous photo supposedly taken of the Loch Ness Monster was called the “Surgeon’s Photograph”! It was cool to learn about the origins of how the conspiracy theory came to fruition and the likely interpretations that are more realistic. Looking forward to the next one!
I never knew the photograph was a hoax! I also didn’t know the legend existed before that point! The LNM is one of my favorite cryptids, and I’m always happy to learn more about the creatures of the deep!