Highest number of Nessie sightings since 2000

Reports of Nessie are at their highest since the millennium, the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register has announced.

Gary Campbell, keeper of the register, said it was a “fantastic” year for Nessie sightings – which he put down to the growth of smartphones and webcams.

Mr Campbell said for the first time, two of the seven sightings were photographed on the same day by different people at different places on the loch.

And two of the sightings were by webcam, including one from an online watcher in America.

“It means that there are more people than ever before looking for Nessie – which would explain the rise in sightings,” said Mr Campbell.

“In fact, you have to go back to 2000 when there were 11 sightings, for more appearances of Nessie.”

So far, with less than a month of the year left, seven Nessie reports have been officially accepted for 2016.

The last sighting was on August 21 when Ian Campbell, a Government worker from Argyll, was cycling along the west side of the loch near Drumnadrochit with his son and a family friend.