Historic Nessie-Hunting Camera Rediscovered in Loch Ness After 55 Years

A robotic submersible testing advanced underwater technology accidentally uncovered a 1970s camera trap designed to capture images of the Loch Ness monster, now on display at the Loch Ness Centre.

The National Oceanography Centre's Autosub vehicle discovered the camera trap during underwater robotics trials in Loch Ness on March 31, 2025.
The camera, one of six deployed in 1970 by Professor Roy Mackal of the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau, was found 180 meters deep and preserved in waterproof housing.
The film from the camera was successfully developed but contained no images of the Loch Ness monster, adding to the enduring mystery of the loch.
The recovered camera and film have been handed over to the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit, where they will be displayed as part of the loch's Nessie-hunting history.
The discovery highlights the intersection of historical curiosity and modern robotics, as Loch Ness continues to serve as a testing ground for cutting-edge underwater technology.