December 9 – Nessie
No compendium of mythical creatures would be complete without Scotland’s own creature of myth – the Loch Ness monster. Nessie is said to live in Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands.
Sightings of Nessie date back to the 6th century, when a swimmer being attacked by a water beast is recorded in the Life of St. Columba by Adomnán. There have been numerous sightings since, more so since the road along the western side of the Loch was built in 1933.
Whether you believe Nessie is real or not, here is a Valentine photograph of Nessie popping out of the Loch in 1939, complete with his festive hat!
I was walking by the loch late one nicht When my een beheld an eerie sicht, The Monster from the loch began to rise, And suddenly, to my suprise... [She did the Fling!] She did the Monster Fling! [The Monster Fling!] It wiz a Hielan' thing! [She did the Fling!] She swam roond in a ring, [And did the Fling!] She did the Monster Fling! ... (Apologies to Bobby 'Boris' Pickett)