First Nessie sighting of 2023 registered by Paisley family visiting Loch Ness
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A family visiting Loch Ness from Paisley has claimed the first Nessie sighting of 2023.
The encounter, which happened on April 5, has been accepted by the Official Loch Ness Monster Register.
It comes in the run-up to the 90th anniversary of the first modern-day sighting of the Loch Ness Monster when a couple driving along the shores of the loch on April 14 1933 saw a whale-like beast.
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The latest sighting of something unusual was spotted a girl who was visiting the area with her parents.
The sighting happened at 11.52am, according to the Loch Ness Monster Register.
The report stated: "She described being in their car two to three miles north of Invermoriston, driving south towards Fort Augustus at around 48mph, when she saw a dark shape emerge from the water, travelling north toward Urquhart Castle.
"She said there were humps seen, possibly like back of a whale and about the length of two saloon cars – about 20ft total.
"It stayed above surface whilst moving for about 30 seconds. She took a picture and alerted her parents, who tried to find place to stop but couldn’t pull in safely but her dad also briefly saw it.
"They confirmed that there was no sign of boat activity in the area."
The last registered sighting was on October 11 last year.
Gary Campbell, keeper of the register, said: "It's great that Nessie has popped up again after hiding for six months.
"It's a special week for Nessie hunters as it's the 90th anniversary of her being called a 'monster' which made the age- old kelpie of Loch Ness a global icon."
