Loch Ness experts reveal best places to spot Nessie ahead of huge public search

Loch Ness experts have revealed some of the best places to spot Nessie, as the public is invited to take part in a huge watch of the world-famous loch.

The Loch Ness Experience will return its annual Quest event from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 May, bringing together experts, enthusiasts and curious visitors for the fourth year of its search for the loch’s most famous resident.

This year, organisers are putting renewed focus on the hunt by highlighting a series of expertly-selected Surface Watch points around Loch Ness, chosen for their views across the water, local knowledge and links to previously reported sightings.

The watch points include locations around Urquhart Castle, Urquhart Bay, Bunloit, Fort Augustus and Lochend, giving monster hunters different vantage points across the 23-mile loch.

Participants will be briefed on what to look out for and how to record any potential sightings, making them an integral part of the ongoing search for Nessie.

Several of the selected lookout points overlook areas that have featured in recent reported sightings, including Urquhart Castle, Urquhart Bay, Fort Augustus and Lochend.

The huge Surface Watch will take place on Saturday 30 May, with volunteers scanning the water from selected viewpoints around the loch.

Nagina Ishaq, General Manager of the Loch Ness Experience, commented: “The Quest has become a real highlight in the Loch Ness calendar, bringing together people from around the world who are fascinated by the mystery, magic and stories of the loch.

“This year, we’re excited to invite budding monster hunters to get even more involved by joining our Surface Watch from selected viewpoints around Loch Ness. Whether you are a lifelong Nessie believer, a curious sceptic, or joining us for the first time, every pair of eyes adds to the search.

“The Loch Ness Experience is all about bringing the story of Loch Ness to life, and The Quest gives people the chance to become part of that story for themselves. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for what promises to be another exciting weekend.”

Alan McKenna of Loch Ness Exploration said: “Loch Ness is vast, so where you watch from really matters. For this year’s Surface Watch, we have identified viewpoints that give volunteers strong views across different parts of the loch, including areas close to recent reported sightings.

“Watching from multiple vantage points helps us build a wider picture of what is happening on the surface. If something unusual appears, having observers in different locations can make a real difference to how it is recorded and understood.

“The Surface Watch is a brilliant way for the public to be directly involved in the search. We’ll be briefing volunteers on what to look for, how to record their findings, and how to report anything unusual, so they can play a meaningful part in The Quest.”

The Quest will also feature a programme of events across the weekend, including underwater exploration, hydrophone activity, folklore, live debate and family fun.

On Friday 29 May, the search will go below the surface as Craig Wallace of Deep Sea Vision deploys autonomous underwater vehicle Micro Millie to map the hidden depths of Urquhart Bay, an area chosen due to its varied underwater landscape, proximity to Urquhart Castle and reputation as a recent hotspot for reported sightings.

Visitors will also be able to join Listen to the Loch, a special hydrophone cruise hosted by Alan McKenna of Loch Ness Exploration aboard Deepscan, followed by Legends of the Loch, where storyteller Jenny Johnstone will bring the mysteries and folklore of Loch Ness to life.

On Saturday evening, The Big Debate: Nessie or Nonsense will give attendees the chance to hear from believers, non-believers and those who sit on the fence as they explore theories surrounding the loch’s most famous mystery.

The weekend concludes on Sunday 31 May with a Sunday Family Funday, raising funds for the RNLI and featuring retro fun for all the family, alongside talks and demonstrations from the crews of the Loch Ness Lifeboat station.

Monster hunters unable to attend in person can still get involved in the hunt for the truth through the Visit Inverness Loch Ness webcams. Several cameras have been set up across the loch for people around the globe to watch out for the loch’s most famous inhabitant, as well as other local wildlife, 365 days a year.