- The propeller of a submersible autonomous robot that was being tested in Loch Ness picked up a 55-year-old camera that had initially been deployed to capture photos of the fabled Nessie. Much to the researchers’ surprise, the camera was intact and its film capable of being developed.
- While none of the photos reveal Nessie, the camera is an important part of the cryptid’s history, as it was one of the earliest attempts to catch her on film.
- The images, along with the camera and its enclosure, are now on display at The Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit, where Nessie enthusiasts can enjoy this new chapter in her otherworldly saga.
Full Story
During an otherwise ordinary and routine day of submersible autonomous robot testing in Scotland, researchers stumbled upon something that was anything but ordinary.
On Tuesday, April 1, the U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) announced it had recovered a camera that was set up in Loch Ness, the fabled home of Nessie, one of the world’s most famous cryptids, more than half a century ago. Perhaps more miraculous though –– the camera, which was still intact, had snapped four photos that were still capable of being developed.
How did the camera end up in Loch Ness’ depths?
According to NOC, the camera is believed to have been placed some 180 meters, or roughly 600 feet, below the water’s surface in 1970 by Roy Mackal, a professor at the University of Chicago and member of the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau. The camera was identified by Adrian Shine, who founded The Loch Ness Project in the mid-1970s and was familiar with the six cameras –– three of which were lost –– that Mackal deployed.
“It was an ingenious camera trap consisting of a clockwork Instamatic camera with an inbuilt flash cube, enabling four pictures to be taken when a bait line was taken,” Shine said in a statement. “It is remarkable that the housing has kept the camera dry for the past 55 years, lying around 180m deep in Loch Ness.”
The camera was discovered after it got tangled in the propeller of an NOC underwater vehicle dubbed Boaty McBoatface.
Nessie continues to elude
Unfortunately, the four photos didn’t reveal Nessie, as the monster is affectionately known. However, the camera is an important part of the cryptid’s history, as Mackal’s efforts were some of the first attempts to catch her on film.
“While this wasn’t a find we expected to make,” said Sam Smith, operations engineer with NOC’s Marine Autonomous Robotics Systems group, “we’re happy that this piece of Nessie hunting history can be shared and perhaps at least the mystery of who left it in the loch can be solved.”
Mackal’s work goes on display
The images, along with Mackal’s camera and its enclosure, are now at The Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit, where Nessie enthusiasts can enjoy this new chapter in her otherworldly saga.
“We are guardians of this unique story and, as well as investing in creating an unforgettable experience for visitors, we are committed to helping continue the search and unveil the mysteries that lie underneath the waters of the famous Loch,” said Loch Ness Centre General Manager Nagina Ishaq. “We want to say a big thank to NOC for handing over the film and camera, that we believe has been hidden for over 50 years, for everyone to come and discover and be inspired by what could be hidden in the mysterious loch.”
