Reported sightings of the Loch Ness Monster have reached near-record levels in 2026.

The Loch Ness Experience is a visitor attraction in Scotland that explores the history, science and mystery surrounding the legendary Loch Ness Monster. In an October 27 announcement, the Loch Ness Experience said 2026 is now the second-busiest year for reported sightings in the 21st century, behind 2019, when 18 were recorded.

The register has accepted 15 reports so far this year, compared with just six in all of 2025.

The Loch Ness Experience wrote:

  • 15 sightings accepted by the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register in 2026, against 6 in the whole of 2025
  • 2026 is the second busiest year for sightings in the 21st century, behind 2019 with 18 reports
  • More than 675,000 visitor votes cast since the Loch Ness Experience re-opened in 2023
  • 47.2% back Nessie, 29.5% believe there could be another explanation, 23.3% dismiss the mystery

The Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register publishes accepted reports dating back to 2021 and earlier on its website.

The most recent accepted report came from German tourist Felix Tiekemeier, who claimed to have spotted a black creature approximately six metres long on August 21. According to the register, the object remained near the surface for approximately 20 seconds before disappearing.

Another sighting occurred on August 6, when Jocelyn Boyce, visiting from Barcelona, reported an unusual object near Urquhart Castle. She told the official sightings register:

“I was at a viewpoint at Urquhart Castle overlooking Loch Ness with my family when we noticed a dark, almost black, mound-like shape protruding above the surface of the water. I initially observed the object with my naked eye. I estimate that it was approximately half a mile away from our position. The water appeared calm and general visibility was good. I took approximately 13 seconds of video footage using an iPhone 16. Due to the distance, I used the phone’s zoom while recording the video. The dark mound-like shape is visible above the surface of the water in one of my photographs. In another photograph taken moments later, the object is no longer visible above the water.”

American tourist Tony Inhorn wrote about his sighting in March:

“At 10.30am, just near the opening for the Caledonian Canal, I saw the dark-greenish gray body of what appeared to be Nessie emerge from the water. Based on its movement and proportions, I estimate it was either the top of Nessie (her back) or the side, suggesting that she may have been emerging at a 45 degree angle. She came about two feet out of the water and her exposed portion was about 5-10 feet in length, suggesting it was just her very top. She was about 15 feet from the boat I was on. Nessie hovered for about 5 seconds, then dipped back into the water. Her body emerged against the chop of the surf, but appeared clearly defined against the waves, leading me to believe it wasn’t just the current.”

Other reports included a visitor from Malta who described watching an eel-like creature moving through the water for approximately 15 minutes, and a sailor who claimed to have spotted “a large oversized crocodile head above the water.”

Not everyone is convinced the sightings involve an unknown creature.

Loch Ness researcher Adrian Shine, who has spent more than five decades investigating the mystery, believes natural phenomena such as boat wakes and ordinary animals can explain reported sightings. Shine’s book, A Naturalist’s View of the Loch Ness Enigma, was published on October 20, 2026.

Shine told The Press and Journal:

“The heart of the subject is the witness, and I believe people do see what they report.”

Nagina Ishaq, general manager of the attraction, said:

“Whether they arrive as lifelong believers or complete sceptics, visitors leave talking about what could be beneath the surface.”