By Tim Binnall
An ambitious new search for the Loch Ness Monster will be launched later this month and the organizers of the endeavor say that it will be the biggest hunt for the famed creature in over 50 years. Dubbed 'The Quest,' the project is being spearheaded by the Loch Ness Centre, which reopened earlier this summer following a nearly $2 million refurbishment that transformed the tourist attraction into a state-of-the-art 'immersive experience.' Partnering with the facility will be the organization Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), which is a consortium of independent researchers who have come together to "observe, record and study the natural behavior of the Loch and phenomena that may be more challenging to explain."
In announcing the search, which is set to unfold over the weekend of August 26th and 27th, the Loch Ness Centre indicated that the hunt will utilize an array of "surveying equipment that has never been used on Loch Ness before." This includes thermal drones to observe possible 'monster' heat signatures in the water and a hydrophone to listen for acoustic anomalies beneath the surface of the sizeable lake. Additionally, the project is calling on volunteers to lend a hand in the search by stationing themselves around Loch Ness and watching for anything weird or unusual that might make an appearance. Envisioned as something of a weekend-long celebration of all things Nessie, the event will also feature cruises on the lake as well as a special tour of the Loch Ness Centre.
On each morning, aspiring Nessie spotters will be briefed by LNE's co-founder Alan McKenna, who will provide guidance on what to look for out on the water and, critically, how to document their possible sightings. At the close of the both days, any particularly intriguing evidence from the drones, hydrophone, and on-site observers will be shared at an evening event held at the Loch Ness Centre. The combined effort is expected to be the most extensive search for the legendary monster since an organization known as the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau ceased conducting their rigorous studies of the site in 1972.