By Wendell Gaa
Mention the word Scotland, and oftentimes the four most iconic things in the modern pop cultural mindset are bagpipes, kilts, Sean Connery and the legendary Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie as it is popularly called. The last I had the chance to try to look out for during my recent summer adventure to the Scottish Highlands.
Together with my travel group which consisted mostly of American, Australian, British and New Zealanders, we ventured to the northern region of Scotland to the Loch Ness lake itself which is near the city of Inverness. Loch Ness is one large freshwater lake (called lochs throughout the United Kingdom) which appears rather dark and shady, hence giving it an aura of near-supernatural mystery. It is an ideal birthplace of the myth of the Loch Ness Monster, which according to traditional Scottish folklore is an enormous long-necked brontosaurus-looking creature which has at least one or two camel-like humps at its back.
For centuries, there have been numerous sightings and even alleged photographs of this enigmatic beast, but thus far, there have been no conclusive scientific evidence proving its existence, thereby making Nessie, alongside the North American Sasquatch and the Asian Yeti, one of the most popular and researched cryptozoological beings in the world.
The coolness of Loch Ness was surely a welcome respite for those of us escaping the intense summer heat in some of our respective countries of residence. The sight of the Urquhart Castle near the ferry docks from where we would be sailing throughout the entire loch gave us a mere sample of the intriguing medieval history of Scotland which we would learn more about as we took our time to explore the castle’s interior and grounds.
Urquhart Castle was first built in the 13th century and has played a crucial role in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century. It has served as a royal castle while being the very site of a conflict between warring clans, namely the MacDonald Earl of Ross and the Clan Grant during the early 1500s. The castle was largely abandoned by the mid-1600s and in 1692. English forces had partially demolished it to prevent its use as a fortification or military base by rebelling Scottish Jacobites. Finally by the 20th century, it was declared a national monument and opened for public viewing, making it one of the most-visited castles in all of Scotland.
As I walked through the castle ruins from the Chapel, Great Hall, Private Chamber and even a giant catapult on display called a trebuchet, I could just envision how everyday medieval Scottish life must have been like for those living within the confines of the castle complex, one which must have been rife with challenges and a constant fear of attack by invading forces of rival clans and kingdoms. Although at least for those in royal or high-class positions, their chances of survival must have obviously been higher being in a protected and well-nourished environment compared to peasants or lower-class people living in the countryside who did not have the luxury of such protection.
We then proceeded to our ferry ride across Loch Ness, and as we looked around at the picturesque view of the lakeside forested hills, meadows, and small houses, we just could not resist the temptation to try scouting around for any signs of Nessie herself. Luck was not on our side that day, but we still had a relaxing time sailing through Loch Ness owing to the peaceful “lake-scape” views as well as the humorous hosting of our cheerful and jovial Scottish captain.
