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The modern legend of the Loch Ness monster, known by Scottish locals as “Nessie”, has been described as a shy, quiet creature who might have surprised or frightened folks but who has never harmed anyone.

Other tales, however, have placed Nessie as an enormous nuisance, “rolling and plunging” along the surface of the water in pursuit of swimmers.

No matter what her personality or demeanor, this monster has earned a place in the hearts of people all over the world, so much so that she now has a day dedicated to her: International Loch Ness Monster Day!

How to Celebrate International Loch Ness Monster Day

Visit Inverness Loch Ness in Scotland

It seems the best way to celebrate International Loch Ness Monster Day might be to head on over to Scotland and personally see what these sightings are all about. The scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly and there is plenty to see and do, even if a monster sighting doesn’t make it to the agenda.

Host a Loch Ness Day Party

Invite a few friends over and host a party that is themed all around Nessie. Guests can wear Scottish themed costumes, decorations and snacks can all be centered around the idea of Loch Ness. Scottish music can be played in the background and it might be fun to watch a film about the topic, as listed below.

Watch a Show about the Loch Ness Monster

As a creature of legend and folklore, the Loch Ness Monster offers tons of fodder for telling all sorts of creative and fantastical stories! In celebration, it might be fun to watch some movies or shows that feature Nessie either in fictional stories or documentary style films.

Check out a few of these fun titles in honor of International Loch Ness Monster Day:

History of International Loch Ness Monster Day

While tales of a nefarious beast living in the waters of Loch Ness in Scotland date back at least 1500 years, the date for this event is a bit more recent. This annual celebration is based on the first modern ‘sighting’ of the Loch Ness monster, which took place on May 2, 1933 when a story was published in the local newspaper, the Inverness Courier.

The story in this newspaper soon hit London and interest in the idea of this monster grew as newspaper reporters, investigators, educators, scientists and even underwater photographers were sent to explore the potential for more sightings.

Over the years the media sensation included some photos depicting Nessie, which turned out to be a hoax, and the sonar readings by scientists have always been “inconclusive”. But that hasn’t stopped the diehard fans who are certain that the Loch Ness monster is real and the famous legend lives on.

International Loch Ness Monster Day offers an opportunity to embrace the mystery and enjoy the fun behind this amazing tale.

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