Autumn Adventures & New Discoveries with Alan McKenna
24th Sept 2025
I’m Alan McKenna, the leader of Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), an independent, volunteer-driven research group based here in Scotland. When everything at Loch Ness begins to look like a magical oil painting, you know that we are finally in autumn. This is nature’s grand final display of colours bursting into life – the perfect backdrop for exploration.
Welcoming new faces to LNE
We’ve had a busy few months following our highly successful Quest Weekend back in May 2025, and it’s been fantastic to welcome so many newcomers to LNE. Outside of Quest itself, this has been our biggest team yet, and the energy and passion people bring to the loch never fails to inspire.
Surface observations & false alarms
In late August, over the course of several days, the LNE team conducted more surface observations, hydrophone recordings, and put our new equipment to the test.
One of the standout moments was capturing another standing wave in motion out on the open water. For anyone unfamiliar with the natural phenomena within Loch Ness, a standing wave can be a mesmerising sight – and, without context, you might believe you’re watching a large living creature rising from the depths.
Of course, not everything is as mysterious as it seems. We had our fair share of ‘false alarms’ this time too – including the moment pictured below. Depending on your imagination, you might see two humps, two seals, two otters, or even two monsters. In reality, it turned out to be two separate pieces of debris drifting on the loch’s surface.
Night watches on the Loch
During our first night back at Loch Ness, the team set up a base camp in a nearby field with a commanding view of the loch. Armed with infrared and night vision, we spent long hours scanning the dark waters. While nothing unusual or significant appeared on film, the atmosphere itself – misty air, torch beams cutting across the night, and the occasional rustle of wildlife – always reminds us why we keep coming back.
Nessie theories: from frogs to folklore
Loch Ness and its surrounding environment are teeming with wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Some theories suggest that ‘Nessie’ could be a large amphibian – an idea that has woven itself into Loch Ness folklore for decades.
One curious story dates back to 1880, when a diver claimed he saw a “very odd looking beastie, like a huge frog” lying on a rock ledge 98 metres below the surface. So unsettling was the sight that he refused ever to dive in the loch again.
On our recent trip, we did indeed find a toad – though a much more ordinary one than that diver’s terrifying account!
Meet ‘Scrappy’ – our new underwater camera trap
Now, I’d like to introduce the newest member of LNE… meet Scrappy! Inspired by the brilliant team at Little Loch Broom Marine Life, we’ve developed our own underwater baited camera trap.
We modified the original design to suit the unique conditions of Loch Ness. Scrappy can be placed securely on both flat and rocky terrain, with two lights bright enough to pierce the peaty darkness without overwhelming it. A GoPro points directly at the bait, giving us eyes below the surface like never before.
Although our original plan was to lower Scrappy to around 13ft, after some team debate we decided to go all in – carefully placing it 40–45ft down in Urquhart Bay. Watching the camera’s footage of the loch floor, illuminated in eerie beams of light, was both spooky and captivating.
This was only a test run, but it exceeded our expectations. We’re thrilled to finally have a reliable way to observe what’s happening below the surface, and can’t wait to see what Scrappy helps us uncover in the months ahead.
Upcoming event: Loch Ness with Alan McKenna
After last month’s event sold out, I’m delighted to say that I’ll be back on board Deepscan, the Centre’s working research vessel, for another unique trip on the loch.
Saturday 4th October – 2pm & 3pm
This one-hour cruise gives you the chance to experience Loch Ness research first-hand. We’ll be using our brand-new hydrophone to listen for mysterious underwater sounds, while I share insights from years of exploration and the continuing search for the elusive creature.
Places are limited and last time sold out quickly, so I’d encourage you to secure your spot as soon as possible!
Stay Connected
As we move deeper into autumn, there’s a real sense that new discoveries are just around the corner. With standing waves, intriguing theories, Scrappy now in action, and more events ahead, Loch Ness continues to surprise and inspire us.
Thank you, as always, for following our journey. Stay tuned for more updates, sightings, and stories from the loch – and who knows what we’ll find next.
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