IDEAS FROM
"YOUNG LOCH NESS EXPLORERS"
READERS

Best ideas get a free book Loch Ness Book
signed by Adrian Shine
Leader of the Loch Ness Project

Some of your Loch Ness ideas	Loch Ness Expert Adrian Shine says .....
I think that the Loch Ness Monster may be a Giant Newt. I think this because the loch is freshwater and would be perfect for an amphibian. There are no eggs because there can't be a breeding pair as there is only one. I would solve the mystery of Loch Ness in this way - I would have infra-red beams shining across the loch. If anything was to break the beams it would trigger a sonar scan. If it picked up anything large a night vision underwater camera would take photograph. Ross Penman, Age 9 Scottish Primary School	Amphibians certainly live in freshwater but we don't know of any saltwater ones that might have got into the loch after the ice melted 10,000 years ago. We are trying experiments with infra-red photography underwater with some success but we can't see far because red is absorbed quickly in water.
I think that the Loch Ness monster may be a- big fish like the sturgeon that lives in salt water and freshwater. I think this because- it's rare to see so it could go back and forward from the sea to the loch. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way- I'd put water cameras with sensors that have wireless connections to a computer. The cameras would be placed on the side of the river between the sea and loch so if there are any movements they would take a picture which would be sent to a computer. Niamh Dobie P6 Scottish Primary School	The Sturgeon is actually what we are thinking about at the moment! Some experiments have begun in Ireland (which also has "monster" lakes) with hidden cameras on the riverbanks.
I think that the Loch Ness monster may be a small creature with 2 front fins with green skin and a long curvy body, plus a long sharp tail and a long neck. I think this because a small creature may have a chance of surviving in the Loch because of the food supplies like plankton and some small mini-beasts. I would solve the mystery at the Loch Ness in this way.I would build a machine to turn the water clear for 24 hours and send 10 submersibles in the Loch to see if they could find Nessie. If that didn't work, I would place cameras all round the water and have a special room with every camera view on screens and see if I could find Nessie on screen. In the making of all of this I would make sure that nobody had made under-water traps because I want Nessie to survive. Rachel Widdowson, Age 10 Scottish Primary School	It's true there is not a great deal of food in Loch Ness. Some surveillance cameras are now used as web-cams at Loch Ness. Experiments were made in 1972 with a chemical to clear the water but clearing the water would kill all the tiny plants and animals which are of course very important.
I think that the Loch Ness Monster may be a giant serpent with fins. I think this because all the photos and videos have suggested this. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness this way. I would make twenty armoured robots to go into the loch with cameras attached to them. The cameras will monitor the loch and take pictures of any creatures which will be sent to a science lab to be looked at. Cameron Martin Age 10 Scottish Primary School	The photos and videos suggest quite a variety of shapes. Your technical proposal would take a great deal of development and a huge amount of money. Maybe you need to start saving now!
I think Nessie may be a cross between a horse and a snake with fins and flippers. I think this because people say that Nessie is a Water Horse. It would have fins and flippers because it needs those to swim. I would solve the mystery of Nessie by getting cameras and putting them all round the loch and sonars too. When the sonars have found something, they would take a film or take photos of the thing. I would also get quite a few divers and put them in the water with helmets with cameras and lights on it and it would take a film. The last thing I would do is get an assistant and keep watch and swap over every 12hrs. If we find Nessie, then we will have the proof that Nessie is real. Abigail Christie Age:10 years Scottish Primary School	There is a legend of the Highland waterhorse called the Kelpie who came out of the water to drag people off the shore into the water to eat them. Loch Ness would be a food-rich environment for a Kelpie!. In the 1960's the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau spent 10 years with cameras around the loch. We haven't tried your idea of using a lot of divers. The loch is big enough to hold the world's poulation three times over, so we'd need a lot of divers!
I think that the Loch Ness Monster may be a reptile. I think this because it looks exactly like the one on the movie 'The Water Horse'. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way. I would go out on a boat and throw some fish out and wait for Nessie and if it does not come I'll throw some more fish out for him or her and wait for a whole year. Louise Mclean,Age 10 Scottish Primary School	Maybe but the water is very cold for reptiles. Bait was suspended from buoys close to shore camera stations in the 1960's with no success. You are prepared to be very patient waiting a year but a man called Steve Feltham has spent 15 years watching the loch so far!
I think that the Loch Ness Monster may be a-Huge creature with limbs like a dogs but with webbed paws, and a long tail with flared tips, his slippery skin is turquoise-greyish and his body is a bit like a dogs but with no fur. I think this because- Of all the sightings and the photo's that have been seen and taken, and maybe the film The Water Horse. I also went to Loch Ness, and I saw him! And that's how I think I know what Nessie looks like, but no-one believed me! I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness by- Spreading a -23 mile long and 1 mile wide- fishing net over the Loch, but leaving a gap so Nessie can get to the fish I would put all over the net. I would also have camera's in different places, and a monitor that has a sonar fitted in, and if the was movement (but not waves) it would take a video or a picture. Molly Adams, Age 11 Scottish Primary School	The animal you describe would certainly be new to science but does remind us of some stories from Ireland where they have similar traditions. Loch Ness is part of a waterway system called the Caledonian Canal which stretches from the West to the East coast of Scotland. It allows boats to go from one side of the country to the other without going around the north coast of Scotland. The Caledonian Canal Authorities would object to your big. expensive net on Loch Ness because it would stop the ships going through.
I think that the Loch Ness monster may be a sea lion. I think this because sea lions don't care what temperature it is. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way. First I would get a chopper to drop me in to Loch Ness so I could place under water cameras and sonar around the loch. The sonar would send out Loch Ness monster sounds and the monster would come. The cameras would take photos and they would go to the science lab though a pipe in the loch wall. Josh Greig aged 10 Scottish Primary School	Seals do actually get into the loch in most years so you have got a point. However they are usually seen and recognised for what they are. Underwater sounds have been tried using whale sounds but of course we don't know what sound a Loch Ness monster might make.
I think the Loch Ness monster may be a plesiosaur from 65million years ago. To find out what the Loch Ness Monster looks like I would dress up as a fish and go under water to try and attract Nessie. I would put special armour on and go under the water to find Nessie. I would put special cameras on me which are wired from the boat and go into the water. I would swim along with the boat and start looking for Nessie. I would put special cameras under the water that would turn around while I am swimming. Robert Broatch age 12 Scottish Primary School	If you think it's a plesiosaur you a very brave if you are going to dress up as a fish. We did try something similar with a person inside a little submersible called "Machan" which we baited but there were no takers.
I think that the Loch Ness Monster may be an amphibian. Hopefully Nessie will be kind and gentle. I think this because all amphibians need fresh water and because they don't go into salt water. I think Nessie will also be kind and gentle because Nessie will probably mean no harm to anyone, but if Nessie hurt somebody it would probably be because they are annoying Nessie or disturbing it. If I wanted to solve the mystery it would have to be secret. My first idea would be to put a hidden camera on the bottom of the boat so it would look like you're fishing. My second idea is environmental friendly one.I would put up a camp near the loch and watch over the loch to see any movement at all. My last idea is probably my favourite. I would put a fake fish into the loch and it would be computerised so that somebody can control where it goes. The fish will look for any movement across the water. Mary Padgett Age:10 Scottish Primary School	Amphibians could live in the loch but somehow they would have to have got in after the ice melted 10,000 years ago. We don't know of any marine amphibians. This year a film is being made called "Monster Quest" for the History Channel and a small part of the programme is about how they tried a camera made to look like a fish. Watch out for the programme next year.
I think that the Loch Ness monster may be an animal that no one has discovered yet. It is half sea lion and half python. I think the creature's neck is as long and as thick as a python's body and Nessie's body is like a huge sea lion. I would hide cameras in the Loch and put a lot of meat near the camera so it would attract Nesse. The camera would take a picture of something big moving. Kieran Saunders Age:11 Scottish Primary School	Seals do get into the loch but we think the serpent-like reports are boatwakes. Bait suspended from buoys close to shore camera stations was tried in the 1960's but with no success.
I think that the Loch Ness monster may be a mysterious creature. I think this because there have been different creatures seen and I don't know which one to believe. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way. I would send down a shoal of robotic fish that have a camera in each eye. When they sense something with their heat sensors they would automatically be drawn to a magnetic fishing rod operated by a robotic man who would transfer the images. Every so often I would check the robot to see what images have been taken. Jennifer Hamilton Scottish Primary School	Yes you are right - it is difficult to describe because there are so many conflicting pictures. A fish-like camera was tried this year in a small part of a programme called "Mnster Quest" for the History Channel. Watch out for it next year.
I think the Loch Ness monster could be a reptile because every picture of Nessie looks like a plesiosaur which is obviously a reptile. I think this because it looks so like a reptile or a giant lizard. I would solve the mystery by setting up under water cameras and if I saw the monster I would write to the government telling them not to put my discovery on the news. I would request to put up signs saying 'Keep Out' and I would look after Nessie making sure no body hurts him or her. Rhiannon Partridge Age 10 Scottish Primary School	It's a bit cold for reptiles. If "monsters" were ever found in Loch Ness they should certainly be protected. There are many of us concerned about conserving and protecting the environment of Loch Ness including Scottish Natural Heritage.
I think the Loch Ness monster is a - creature of the dead. I think this because- it looks like a dinosaur because it is big and scary. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way- I will put a man in a lady Nessie suit to attract Nessie and bring Nessie up to get a picture of it. I will put armour in the suit to protect the man. Name Ben Sweeney age 10 Scottish Primary School	You are quite right - dinosaurs are creatures of the dead - ie. extinct. Women have a reputation for being exceptionally good at catching salmon so what about putting a lady in your "lady Nessie suit" as she might have a better chance (not to mention issues of equal opportunities! )
I think the Loch Ness monster may be a massive turtle with a long snake head and neck. I think this because all the pictures I have seen have long necks and a head like a snake. Turtles swim slowly and it must have been swimming slowly because people have pictures of it and it would take some time to get the camera out and take a picture. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way. I would invent a dishwater type tablet that makes the Loch water go clear for 24 hours and I would put one in the loch and whilst it was clear I would send divers and cameras and submarines to search for Nessie. Connor Brown age 10 Scottish Primary School	The turtle shape is a good shape for keeping warm in cold water. The Leatherback Turtle does swim in the seas off Scotland even though it's a reptile. Experiments were made in 1972 with a chemical to clear the water but clearing the water would kill all the tiny plants and animals which are very important.
These are my ideas for catching Nessie. Enjoy! I think the Loch Ness Monster is an adapted plesiosaur that has changed to suit the cold and very empty waters. I think this because of documentaries stating that some plesiosaurs managed to survive in cold freshwater as well as warm saltwater. It also states that they used to dig about in mud and sand for air pockets big enough for them to breathe in and use for over five hours. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way. I would place sonar devices (waterproof I may add) at the side of the Loch so that the ranges of the sonar devices interlock and nothing can go through the Loch without being picked up on radar. If Nessie comes out I shall get a tranquilizer dart and gun then launch a boat and look for Nessie then hit her with the dart and take her to shore for study. Just for the record, the dart will not cause any distress and after the effects are gone I shall release her back into the Loch. Fraser Bell age 10 Scottish Primary School	There is still argument about plesiosaurs in cold water based on fossils from Austrailia. We did try a line of sonars during "Operation Deepscan" in 1987. The beams beneath the boats interlocked but there were some initial difficulties with interference betweeen them. Fraser: An "adapted plesiosaur" ? We don't think so but your answer is well written and researched! WE WILL BE SENDING YOU ADRIAN SHINE'S BOOKLET "LOCH NESS" (We'll send it to your teacher to give to you)
I think that the Loch Ness monster is a cross between a long neck seal and giant newt. It has 3 large lumps on its back to store food. I think this because there isn't much food in Loch Ness and Nessie is a big animal which needs a lot of food. I will solve the mystery by getting robots to walk the length of the loch with a sonar beam stretching across the width of the loch. I would have other robots that walked along the sea bed and swim in the loch. If they see something they will send that image to the computer which we will monitor at all times. I will also have robots and some people on land to watch the surface. I would use robots instead of people because it doesn't matter if they get damaged. Rebecca Hamilton age:10 Scottish Primary School	Your idea would represent the first known cross between a mammal and an amphibian which would certainly be very unusual. Storing food in humps would be good in times of excess. Loch Ness does have an annual bonus of migrating Salmon but any predators would have to catch catch them in huge numbers. Generally Loch Ness represents a fairly empty larder for big animals. This year we have used "robot" submarines to search the loch. There are no people inside them and they are driven by a wire from a boat.
I think the loch Ness Monster may be a big fish, the sturgeon. I think this because big fish don't have to go to the surface much and also they go to the sea every now and then. So when you are down there or scanning the loch, Nessie could be in the sea. I would solve the mystery at the loch Ness in this way. Instead of just searching the loch I could put deep scan over the loch and the sea at the exact same time and I might just find something. I'll send divers that go to one end of the loch and swim as far as they can and if they see something they can take a picture. You could take a sample of the water and you might get a sample of Nessie. Aimee Sweeney age 10 Scottish Primary School	If it is a Sturgeon it will spend almost all of it's life in the sea and only rarely come into freshwater searching for a mate. We do try underwater photography but the water is very dark from the peat particles deposited in the loch from the streams and rivers that feed into the loch.
I think that the Loch Ness Monster may be a. Big creature with 2 front flippers, a tail like a seal and a body, head and neck like a Plesiosaur. It has 2 long bits of skin like a gazelle's horns but they are not hard and stiff. They are soft and glide behind it. I think this because. I have seen all the pictures of what is believed to be Nessie. Also because I believe Nessie is like Crusoe in The Water Horse Movie. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness this way. I would put a robotic fish with cameras for scales and if the camera spotted something it would turn on Sonar and an alarm would alert me that it had spotted something. It would send me a picture of what it had taken and I would keep watching through the scales that had spotted something! Katie Ellen Dale Age-11 Scottish Primary School	The photos and videos of something strange at Loch Ness ( the ones that are not hoaxes) are of many different shapes. Artists who like the Highland Kelpie legends have tried to interpret them based on folk-lore and their own imagination. ("Nessa" in "Young Loch Ness Explorers" and "Crusoe" from the "Waterhorse" film are examples of this.) A fish-like camera was tried this year in a small part of a programme called "Mnster Quest" for the History Channel. Watch out for it next year.
I think that the Loch Ness monster may be a long seal. I think this because it looks like Nessie. The bodies are the same and they look the same. Could it be? I would solve the mystery of Loch Ness. You get lots of boats and put them in a row and put fish on the front of the boats and wait for Nessie to come. Kelly Mckeraghan Age 10 Scottish Primary School	Mammals like seals have a high metabolism and therefore have to breathe more often and would be easier to spot. Seals are seen in the loch every year. Bait was suspended from buoys close to shore camera stations in the 1960's with no success.
According to my research, many of the accounts refer to a big creature that has a long body that is approximately twenty to thirty foot long, and a neck that is about four to five feet out of the water.Given the above mentioned considerations, I would try to solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way: 1. Tying night vision cameras around several R/C professional mini submarines which are available in many markets these days. Then I would perform a statistical sample of some areas of the lake to either demonstrate the creature's existence or discard statically the probability of it. 2. Contracting some satellite services to photograph and videotape the Loch Ness area. It should be possible for a satellite to detect a big creature if it really is there! Satellites have very potent lenses that can get pictures of very small things such as a person's face, car plates, etc. I have seen satellite pictures of different water creatures many times, so getting a shoot of a big animal like Nessie should be feasible. Doris Hoyos Mexico, 9 years old Lakeside Elementary Coppell, TX	So far, submarines have not made visual contact with unusual creatures in Loch Ness. Though there was one sonar contact claimed by a Vickers Ltd submarine in 1969. So, submarines would not be suitable for statistical work. Howere some statistical work has been undertaken on the eye witness sightings regarding time and place etc. One of the problems is that it is difficult to seperate human behavior from possible animal activities. Satellites may be useful for seeing creatures on the surface which may of course be a rare occurence.
I think the Loch Ness monster is a Plesiosaur. I think this because Plesiosaurs have long necks and they have flippers to swim around. I would solve the mystery at Loch Ness in this way put cameras in locations around the Loch these cameras can be veiwed on the internet and the people watching can zoom in take photos, record and change cameras and put some cameras on the road sides just incase it crosses the road Nessie also could have evolved to be warm blooded so use night vision and heat vision on the cameras. Christopher Smith. Staindrop Aged 11	Plesiosaurs - reptiles do grow long and flexible necks better than other orders of animals.There is no evidence in the fossil record that they were warm-blooded. There are already some internet cameras but the pictures are still a bit fuzzy. Heat cameras have been tried at night and also image intensifiers so far without result. However it was a good idea as aquatic creatures are known to approach the surface at night.