On this date (Aug 22) in 565, the first “documented” sighting of the Loch Ness Monster took place.
Loch Ness is located in the Scottish Highlands, and it’s other claim to fame is that is has the largest volume of fresh water in all of Great Britain – around 23 miles long, and around 800-825 feet at its deepest.
There are maybe a dozen early references to Nessie in Scottish history, including some Pictish carvings of a strange aquatic creature on standing stones near the loch from around 500.
But the earliest written account is a 7th-century biography, The Life of St. Columba by a monk named Adomnán. According to Adomnán, an Irish monk named St. Columba was visiting the Picts when he came across a chaotic scene near the River Ness. Apparently a man had been swimming, and was killed by a “water beast”.
Demonstrating his advanced leadership skills, St. Columba ordered one of his followers, a poor sap named Luigne moccu Min, to swim across the river. As the story goes, the big scary critter gave chase, but was stymied by St. Columba’s great faith and Dr. Doolittle-ish skills. The pious pastor crossed himself, and said, “Go no further. Do not touch the man. Retreat immediately!” According to Adomnán, the critter halted as if it had been tethered, and fled in terror. And there was great rejoicing.
The jury’s still out on what Nessie actually is – if she’s real at all. Is she some kind of plesiosaur that somehow escaped extinction? Is she a long-necked newt, as some folks have theorized? Is she actually an undocumented new species that some scientists have cleverly named Megophias megophias? Who knows?
I kinda hope they never find out definitively. I like that there are still mysteries all around us. I love the fact that there are so many things out there that we don’t know for certain. It keeps us humble. It forces us to keep learning. We all know folks with frozen, atrophied brains. Brain atrophy comes from too much certainty, and not enough doubt.
So, if you aren’t too convicted about stuff, it’s a sign that your brain is still working… feel free to thank Nessie for doing her part!