Is the Loch Ness Monster Real? (No. But The History Is!)

Scotland's most enduring mythical creature... the Loch Ness Monster. Fine, fine... we know she's not real. But that doesn't mean there isn't a history behind Nessie.

Where did she come from? When did she appear in the historical record? How is she tied to Catholicism and the Picts, one of Scotland's earliest peoples?

In today's APHOUT mini, let's go over the history of the Loch Ness monster. We've got an Irish Catholic who fus ro dah'd Nessie back into the lake, yelling at it like Gandalf to the Balrog in the depths of Moria. We've got circuses paying good money to capture her. We've got the classic photos, now proven to be hoaxes. We've even got classic Kaiju films like the OG King Kong and Godzilla.

If you've been to the Highlands or live there, tell us your own experiences at Loch Ness! And what are some places to see for the next time I'm in Scotland? I'm well overdue for a return visit!