B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping the story of the Loch Ness Monster into the ol’ VCR.

Welcome back to Curated Cryptids, the series where I get to research the stories behind all of my favorite cryptids. 

My sister has been begging me for weeks to cover her favorite cryptid, and friends, I’m finally doing it. 

The Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie, is probably the most famous cryptid out there (as much as I love Mothman). 

Now, I could talk about Nessie for hours, but I’m not sure how enjoyable that would be, so I’m going give you a truncated version of the lore.

The earliest report of Nessie I could find is from the 7th century. Saint Columba, an Irish monk, claimed that some sort of aquatic creature dragged a man underneath the sea but was stopped from attacking Saint Columba and his companions after he basically hit it with his best Father Merrin impression. 

Then, beginning in the late 1800s, the reports of Nessie became more prominent. 

In 1933, two of the most famous accounts of Nessie were released: 

• George Spicer’s published sighting of Nessie* 
• Alex Campbell’s article in The Inverness Courier depicting Aldie Mackay’s sighting

*I believe this sighting was also published in The Inverness Courier, but I wasn’t able to confirm. 

1933 also marks the year that the first “photograph” of Nessie was taken by Hugh Gray, but the photo’s authenticity has been disproven over the years. 

However, the most famous “photograph” of Nessie, commonly referred to as the “surgeon’s photograph” was taken in 1934 by Dr. Robert Kenneth Wilson. 

The “surgeon’s photograph” was admittedly a hoax that several men, including Dr. Wilson, staged using a toy submarine and wood putty. 

Following several “photographs” was the first “film” from G.E. Taylor, in 1938 wherein “Nessie” was shown for almost three minutes, but critics have written it off as a “floating object.” 

Over the years, countless “photos” and “videos” of Nessie have emerged, along with reports of sightings. Additionally, many a’ theory has been suggested as to Nessie’s species, ranging from a plesiosaur to long-necked newt. 

Pop culture also loves Nessie, and even the broad idea of Nessie-like creatures, giving her the spotlight in everything from Scooby-Doo to Joe Hill novels. 

I don’t know if I necessarily believe in a mythological creature, but I can’t rule out that there aren’t wild critters beneath the sea because so much of it remains unexplored. 

But I will tell you that if Nessie does exist, I respect her stance on avoiding the paparazzi.