Monster hunters will scour Scotland’s Loch Ness this weekend in the largest hunt for Nessie in five decades.
The two-day search will be led by an independent team called the Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), a group of independent and voluntary researchers.
The technology features thermal drones that will take images from the air using infrared cameras, said staff at the Loch Ness Centre, which is near the huge body of water in Drumnadrochit.
Under the water, a hydrophone will listen out for unusual sounds. Meanwhile, volunteers will scour the surface for any signs of “breaks in the water or any inexplicable movements”, the centre said.
It is believed to be the largest “surface watch” since a group called the Loch Ness Investigation carried out a search in 1972.
Each morning someone from the group will brief volunteers on what to look out for and how to record findings. There will also be a debrief in the afternoon to go through the day's events.
Paul Nixon, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre, said: "We are guardians of this unique story, and as well as investing in creating an unforgettable experience for visitors, we are committed to helping continue the search and unveil the mysteries that lie underneath the waters of the famous loch.
"The weekend gives an opportunity to search the waters in a way that has never been done before and we can't wait to see what we find."
Reports of a monster living in the loch stretch back centuries, when the Picts – ancient people who lived in what is now eastern and north-eastern Scotland – etched carvings in the local stone of a beast with flippers.
In the 7th century, a biography of the Christian missionary St Columba told of how he ordered a beast to “go back” after it bit a swimmer in 565AD. It only appeared occasionally appeared after that, according to Britannica.
The myth grew in 1933, when Aldie Mackay, the manager of the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, reported spotting a “water beast” in the loch, the largest body of freshwater by volume in the UK and one of its deepest.
Soon after a couple reported seeing an “enormous animal”, which they compared to a “dragon or prehistoric monster”, crossing in front of their car before disappearing down a bank and into the water.
And that same year, the Daily Mail hired Marmaduke Wetherell, a filmmaker and big game hunter, to look for the beast.
He supposedly found “a very powerful, soft-footed animal about 20 feet [6 metres] long”.
But that was dismissed as a fake by experts at the National History Museum, who said the tracks had been made by an umbrella stand or ashtray with a hippopotamus leg as a base.
However, the following year an English surgeon claimed to have taken a picture of a monster which looked like a plesiosaur, a marine reptile that lived in the age of the dinosaurs. It was later revealed to have been faked by the photographer, who had attached objects to a toy submarine to carry out the stunt.
Five years ago, a DNA survey was carried out of the loch but no evidence was unearthed of an animal like a plesiosaur. However, results did suggest there were numerous eels, which some said could mean Nessie is an oversized eel.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
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The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
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Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
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Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
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Funding: Self-funded to date
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