Loch Ness is the UK’s largest body of fresh water and one of the deepest at 754ft, which makes it a vital site for scientists, as well as monster hunters and tourists. Its largely undisturbed mud-beds are a source of important historical, geological and environmental data, giving clues to such phenomena as the formation of the Great Glen. Still, the lake itself and its surrounds are definitely worth a deeper look and this is exactly what you can do on a visit to the The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition Experience (previously the Official Loch Ness Exhibition Center), rated as a 5 Star Visitor Attraction.
Whilst keeping the mystery centre stage, it is placed firmly into the context of a loch with rare & unusual properties: some still motivate expeditions while others can “create” monsters. Here are the results of that exploration, using the very latest multi-media system, original research equipment and authentic underwater films.
On one hand, the loch’s famous “Jurassic Park” reputation, 1000 reliable eye-witnesses and some classic photography. On the other hand, hoaxes and illusions, Scotland’s journey and the legacy of the ice, life in the abyss and a possible underlying truth.
This world famous Exhibition has been recently refurbished to incorporate a 7 room automated walk through telling the whole story of Loch Ness from the beginning of the Ice Age through to the present day. The experience uses animations / lasers / special effects and much of the actual equipment use in the search of Loch Ness. ( Including the Worlds largest inflatable, submersibles, sonar’s, research Vessels and much more. ) The Exhibition is multi-lingual in 17 languages.
Loch Ness: home of a monster wave; visitors are invited to weigh up the available information & research results, the many eye witness accounts and the facts and figures on the sheer size of the loch – including the amazing fact that it holds more fresh water than the whole of England and Wales put together – and make up their own minds on the matter of the great monster legend. The Centre has been awarded 5 Stars by VisitScotland.com and was the first ever Exhibition opened to be based on the subject of Loch Ness and further strengthens Loch Ness and the Great Glen’s bid for World Heritage status. It also reveals the discoveries of some of that research including the environmental fingerprints left in the loch’s layers by both nature and mankind.
Drumnadrochit Hotel offers a warm, friendly, comfortable and relaxing stay in Loch Ness, and is housed within the world-famous Loch Ness Exhibition Centre. Cruises are available on the loch from various outlets. They will normally take you to see Urquhart Castle and the Great Glen. Some have underwater cameras and videos and prices are in the region of £8 for an adult.
The tour informs you of how the highland and especially the loch were formed, then they show you all the different inhabitants in and around the loch and how the loch was used in days of old, not forgetting the myth of the loch ness monster. As you walk through the tour each section as its own audia and visual effects making for an interesting and informative tour, well worth going to see. There is two very large gift shops selling everything from cuddly nessie’s to crystal decanters and the staff are always friendly and helpful.
Contents
Background in brief:
Loch Ness is Scotland’s (if not the world’s) most famous lake (or ‘loch’ in Scotland). It runs for 23 miles (37 km) along the natural geological cleft that stretches from Fort William in the west of the Scottish Highlands, to Inverness in the north. Loch Ness is as everyone knows famous for its fleeting sightings of the monster within, Nessie. It is also the second largest Scottish loch but is by far the deepest – deeper that the height of London’s BT Tower. The loch is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounded by moorland mountains and wooded shores. Another historic monument Urquhart Castle is situated on a rocky outcrop on the banks of the mysterious Loch Ness, just two miles from the town of Drumnadrochit.
Since the 1960s increasingly more sophisticated scientific methods have been used to try and prove or dispel the myth and turn up evidence of the Loch Ness Monster. There are now two competing exhibitions about Loch Ness and its monster both of which are in Drumnadrochit. The Original Loch Ness Monster Visitor Centre presents the evidence that exists to date of Nessie through legend, photographs and film of sightings.
Since 1980, this exhibit has been entertaining tourists from around the world that visit the area for a rare glimpse of Scotland’s elusive creature known as the Loch Ness Monster or Nessie. In June of 1999, the exhibit was greatly expanded and reopened as the Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition Centre by famed explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. The new exhibit was designed and narrated by Shine, a cultivation of his over 25 years of research of the waters of Loch Ness. Today the exhibit is formerly named the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre (or The Official Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Centre) features a variety of equipment that was used in the hunts for the Loch Ness Monster and examines the famous photographs, films, hoaxes, and scientific evidence that has been collected thus far. It explores the legend and the ecology of Loch Ness itself from the start of time to modern day through seven themed areas with the very latest multi-media system.
Braveheart Centre
Behind the Loch Ness Visitor Centre is The Braveheart Centre. This highlights some of the significant battles of Scotland such as the War of Independence in which Robert the Bruce beat the English forces at Bannockburn in 1314. It also tells the story of William Wallace and his resistance to the English. The Braveheart Centre was built to commemorate Scotland’s famous War of Independence culminating in the spectacular victory of King Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314 against the forces of Edward II of England. The Braveheart Centre is also a fine tribute to Scotland’s other National Hero, William Wallace, who resisted the English forces until his cruel betrayal, torture and execution in 1305, as portrayed in the now famous film, ‘Braveheart’. Visitors may also follow the epic journey made by Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. His travels are illustrated throughout the centre by various works of art.
Experts experience
I found this very interesting. The whole place was well laid out and would be of interest to children as well as adults. The atmosphere inside the exhibition was good (slightly spooky in places and often leaving you wondering what would happen next) and the information attention grabbing. I thoroughly enjoyed this visit and can recommend it.
What I was especially pleased about was that it did not dismiss Nessie entirely – and I still looked for her when I was at the loch!!
Contact:
Loch Ness Exhibition Centre or The Official Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Centre
Tel +44 (0) 1456 450573
Fax +44 (0) 1456 459432
Email: Bookings: g…@lochness.com & Gen Enquiries: rob…@lochness.com
Web: http://www.lochness.com
- Original Loch Ness Monster Visitor Centre
- Original Loch Ness Monster LiveCam
- Loch Ness Project
- Loch Ness Drumnadrochit Hotel
- 3D Loch Ness Experience at Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness
- Destination Loch Ness Ltd (DLN) for the benefit of communities around Loch Ness
- Loch Ness Exhibition Centre
- Loch Ness Monster at scotsman
- Extraordinary image (object) in Loch Ness on Google Earth
- Image Gallery: The hunt for the Loch Ness monster – 75 years and counting
- A sighting of Nessie, the famous Loch Ness monster
- Loch Ness Cruise
Location:
The Loch Ness Exhibition Centre
Drumnadrochit Loch Ness
Inverness-shire IV63 6TU
Scotland, UK
