As we head back toward Inverness my youngest son can't resist -- he wants to stop at the exhibit we passed on the way in that features the Loch Ness Monster. How could I blame him, he's been fascinated with Sasquatch since his days camping with the Cub Scouts and being scared witless with stories of such creatures around the campfire. We were going to avoid it, thinking we were all far to sophisticated for such a thing. His curiosity gets the better of him and we pull into the car park and pay the admittance fee and walk through the exhibit which features various small theaters with video about the legend.
http://www.lochness.com/loch-ness-monster-exhibition.htm
What I thought was going to be a hokey display --very sensationalized and all was actually very informative. While there might have been some prehistoric creature on the verge of extinction during the time of St. Columba, scientist don't believe there is enough food sources in the Loch to support such a creature. Loch Ness is not very rich in nutrients. Sonar and core samples of the bottom of the Loch also have not turned up any evidence. Examinations of the bottom of the Loch have turned up evidence of other key events -- a great flood in the 1800s, nuclear testing and Chernobyl. Luckily the Loch has been spared the effects of acid rain. I quietly applaud the park service for seizing the opportunity to impart an environmental lesson rather than taking the easy route. They took the high road here. (no pun intended)
We exit the exhibit and must follow the whole length of the gift shop cram packed with "Nessie" t-shirts, key chains, stuffed Nessies plus the usual tartan fare to get back to the car park. There may not be a Nessie in the Loch but she is certainly alive an well in the gift shop. Still, the impression has been very positive and I am glad we made the stop.
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