A strange natural phenomenon could unravel the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster sightings, according to an expert researcher.
Alan McKenna, founder of Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), believes elusive “standing waves” could explain sightings of the mythical monster.
He said: ‘A standing wave is produced when two ship wakes of exactly the same frequency and amplitude move in opposite directions on the lake surface.
“When the two boat wakes eventually meet and interfere with each other, the results have the potential to create a standing wave.”
The peaks of these standing waves, rising above calm water, could be mistaken for “humps” above the surface.
The images captured by McKenna show the phenomenon that occurs where a river meets the lake on its southern shore, in Fort Augustus.
But capturing a standing wave caused by a ship’s wake in open water is more challenging.
Alan said: ‘The waves and the boat’s wake must be identical.
A strange natural phenomenon could reveal the mystery of the Loch Ness monster sightings, according to an expert researcher
Alan McKenna, founder of Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), believes elusive “standing waves” could explain sightings of the mythical monster.
«With all that in mind, there is now much more to consider, such as the ship itself, its size, the direction of travel and its current speed.
“A small boat with a smaller engine will certainly produce a different wake than a much larger boat.
“It’s a complex procedure, especially in open water, but it can happen.”
McKenna now hopes to record the phenomenon occurring deep in the lake.
He said: ‘Ali Matheson, skipper of the Deepscan, frequently reports standing waves, but more so at the small marina within Urquhart Bay, also known as Temple Pier.
“That’s all well and good, but it’s harder to capture a standing wave in open water.
“We know that standing waves exist and have been reported, but what we don’t have are images that show a natural standing wave in motion.”
He continued: ‘Since the launch of the LNE, it has always been my hope to capture as many natural phenomena as possible.
The peaks of standing waves, rising above calm water, could be mistaken for “humps” above the surface.
McKenna now hopes to record the phenomenon occurring deep in the lake.
‘In my opinion, it is a process of elimination, as most of the possible ‘Nessie’ reports can explain.
‘Without being disrespectful, I tend to follow reports from locals and the reason is because they see Loch Ness every day.
‘I dare say they have more knowledge than tourists.
“If you’re not familiar with Loch Ness and its natural behavior, I think a lot of people will be fooled by the water and certain illusions. It’s easy to do!”
However, when it comes to the legendary beast’s existence, Alan keeps an open mind.
The 37-year-old said: “If there are unknown animals in Loch Ness then they certainly don’t follow the rules.”
‘It’s the perfect habitat for a shy animal with 23 miles of cold, dark water and around 750 feet of depth.
‘You could be swimming next to a submarine 200 feet below the surface and not even notice it right in front of you, it’s that dark!’
He continued: ‘When I was young and throughout my childhood, I fully believed in the plesiosaur theory.
‘But the more you explore the history of Loch Ness, the more unlikely that theory becomes…sorry folks.
‘We have had many potential candidates over the years for ‘Nessie’, such as giant eels, long-necked seals, Greenland sharks, large sturgeons, catfish and many others.
“But to tell the truth, none of us have the right answer and that’s what keeps this mystery alive.”
LNE is an independent voluntary research group focused on Loch Ness, its natural environment and ecology, as well as the mythical monster.
McKenna said: “We invite everyone with a genuine interest in the lake to join this group.” It’s not just about “Nessie” as Loch Ness is so much more than that.
“We have a great mix of people in the LNE group and I think it is diverse.”
WHAT IS the Loch Ness Monster?
Rumors have abounded over the decades about a strange creature living in the waters of Loch Ness, but little evidence has been found to support these claims.
One of the first sightings, which is believed to have fueled modern Nessie fever, occurred on May 2, 1933.
On this date, the Inverness Courier published a story about a local couple who claim to have seen “a huge animal rolling and sinking on the surface.”
Another famous sighting is a photograph taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson.
Later, one of the participants, Chris Spurling, revealed that it was a hoax and, on his deathbed, revealed that the images were a montage.
Other sightings: James Gray’s photograph from 2001, when he and his friend Peter Levings were fishing in the lake, while the namesake Hugh Gray’s blurry photograph of what appears to be a large sea creature was published in the Daily Express in 1933 .
Robert Kenneth Wilson, a London doctor, captured possibly the most famous image of the Loch Ness Monster. The surgeon’s photograph was published in the Daily Mail on April 21, 1934; however, it was later proven to be false.
The first sighting of the monster is said to have been made in 565 AD by the Irish missionary Saint Columba when he encountered a giant beast in the River Ness.
But no one has ever found a satisfactory explanation for the sightings, although in 2019, ‘Nessie expert’ Steve Feltham, who has spent 24 years observing the lake, said he thought it was actually a giant catfish, native to nearby. the Baltic and Caspian seas in Europe.
An online log lists more than 1,000 total Nessie sightings, created by Mr Campbell, the man behind the Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club and is available at www.lochnesssightings.com.
So what could explain these mysterious sightings?
Many Nessie witnesses have mentioned large crocodile-like shields placed over the creature’s spine, leading some to believe that an escaped amphibian may be the culprit.
Sturgeons, native fish, can also weigh several hundred pounds and have striated backs, making them almost reptile-like.
Some believe that Nessie is a long-necked plesiosaur, like an elasmosaur, that somehow survived when all other dinosaurs were exterminated.
Others say the sightings are due to Scots pine trees dying and falling into the lake, before quickly flooding and sinking.
While submerged, the botanical chemicals begin to trap small air bubbles.
Over time, enough gather to propel the trunk upward as deep pressures begin to alter its shape, giving the appearance of an animal rising for air.