A recent live webcam capture near the Clansman Hotel in Scotland has reignited interest in the legendary Loch Ness Monster, often affectionately called Nessie. The footage, recorded on May 7, 2025, was made public through an article by Daily Mail Online and features what monster hunter Eoin O’Faodhagain describes as a juvenile Loch Ness creature surfacing briefly to feed on prey. The video was obtained from a webcam maintained by Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN), which monitors the northern end of the loch.
Is This the Clearest Proof of the Loch Ness Monster Yet?
Eoin O’Faodhagain, an experienced Nessie hunter from County Donegal, Ireland, was monitoring the webcam when he observed a large disturbance in the otherwise calm waters of Loch Ness, just yards from the Clansman Hotel pier. According to O’Faodhagain, “a creature broke the surface and rose up a few feet out of the water, then quickly submerged into the dark depths of Loch Ness.”
He immediately identified the shape as something too large to be a common animal such as an otter, seal, or fish, stating, “I immediately thought it was Nessie because it was too large to be anything else.” He also said, “Certainly it has no resemblance to an otter or a seal, and I never saw a fish with a neck and a bumpy back.” Reflecting on the footage, he added, “I was stunned, overjoyed that at last I might have a clear image of the Loch Ness Monster.”
Believing this to be a juvenile specimen, O’Faodhagain noted the creature appeared to be hunting, interacting with what looked like a fish nearby. He said, “It is a juvenile Nessie, playing with its prey – the fish – before it devours it.” He emphasized the uniqueness of the moment: “If what I noted is correct, then it is the first time on live camera that we see Nessie hunting its fish prey.”
History of Loch Ness Monster Sightings
Rumors and claims of a mysterious creature inhabiting Loch Ness date back centuries, with the first recorded account often attributed to the Irish missionary St. Columba in AD 565, who reportedly encountered “a giant beast in the River Ness.”
The modern fascination with Nessie began in May 1933, when the Inverness Courier published a report from a local couple who claimed to see “an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface.” Over the years, numerous photographs and eyewitness testimonies have contributed to the legend, including the famous 1934 photograph by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson, which was later exposed as a hoax.
While many alleged sightings remain unverified, an online register maintained by enthusiasts lists over 1,000 reported Nessie encounters, reflecting sustained public fascination and speculation.
Scientific Explanations and Ongoing Investigations
Despite persistent reports, scientific efforts to confirm Nessie’s existence have been inconclusive. Various explanations have been proposed over time, ranging from misidentified animals like giant sturgeons or Wels catfish to natural phenomena such as floating logs or wave disturbances.
Many witnesses have mentioned “large, crocodile-like scutes sitting atop the spine of the creature,” leading some to speculate about an escaped amphibian. Native fish such as sturgeons, which can weigh several hundred pounds and have ridged backs, might also explain some sightings due to their reptilian appearance.
Some believe the creature might be a surviving plesiosaur—a type of long-necked marine reptile from the dinosaur era—although such a hypothesis remains speculative without concrete evidence.Others suggest that “Scottish pines dying and flopping into the loch,” becoming waterlogged and releasing bubbles, could create illusions of an animal surfacing.
Experts like Steve Feltham, a Nessie researcher with over two decades of observation experience, have suggested that many sightings may be explained by known wildlife or natural elements. Yet, the elusive nature of the creature keeps the mystery alive.
The Myth Refuses to Die
The recent footage has sparked excitement among Nessie enthusiasts and monster hunters alike. It comes ahead of “The Quest,” a mass search event set to take place from May 22 to May 25, 2025, in the Scottish Highlands. Organized to encourage public participation, the event aims to gather new evidence and promote local tourism.
Live webcams like the one at the Clansman Hotel provide continuous monitoring of the loch, where “the unknown still thrives.”
