There's a certain appeal to popular locations where folk legend monsters are supposedly making a home. None such location gets more tourists than Loch Ness in Scotland, home of the world famous Loch Ness Monster story.
The story, which centers around the idea that there is a monster named "Nessie" with a long neck and tale that swims in the dark depths of the loch in northern Scotland. The most famous evidence for her existence comes from a, later debunked as a hoax, photo from 1934. Still, locals share a lot of stories about sightings of something large swimming in the loch.
Many people in the area have gone out of their way to try and prove the existence of the creature, to no success. What has come out of people's efforts is a lot of scientific evidence that backs the theory that the Loch Ness Monster is likely a myth.
George Edwards, operator of Loch Ness Cruises' believes the community of people who are trying to prove the monster is a myth are hurting tourism to the area.
"I believe they are doing more harm than good in promoting Loch Ness tourism with their negative theories," Edwards wrote in a letter to other members of the local chamber of commerce.
He believes visitors feel disappointed when they're told they've traveled to see a beast that doesn't exist. These comments were directed at a researcher named Adrian Shine, who has been touting a theory that explains the Loch Ness phenomenon as either a fish or a wave.
Edwards' complaints were also coming as a reaction to the Loch Ness Centre's practical approach to explaining the phenomenon. According to CBC News the Centre has been avoiding any attempts to swindle people into coming to the community.
Tony Harmsworth, former head of the center, countered Edwards' claims by saying he is "palming his customers off with fake photographs," likely a reference to the many images of the Loch Ness Monster people have supposedly taken over the years. The debate has gotten so heated that several members of the chamber resigned including Harmsworth.
"Today's tourists are more discerning," Harmsworth wrote in a letter. "They want to understand the culture, legend and natural history of the places they visit."
