A mysterious green mass spotted in the waters of Loch Ness has reignited speculation about the legendary monster, according to the official Loch Ness Monster sightings register. The object was photographed by Sharon Herbert, a tourist from Kent, during a Jacobite Cruises boat tour near Urquhart Castle on June 23, 2026.
Seventh sighting of 2026
Herbert was taking a picture of the castle when she noticed the strange green form lurking just beneath the surface. The image, uploaded to the sightings register, left the experienced boat skipper perplexed. The register stated: 'Jacobite Cruises have confirmed that their skipper says there is no explanation that they can offer as to what the green mass is.'
This marks the seventh possible Nessie sighting this year, comprising six in-person observations and one via webcam. In contrast, 2025 recorded only six in-person and four webcam sightings for the entire year. The register has documented 1,172 sightings to date.
Skepticism and theories
Scientists have long dismissed the existence of the creature, notably debunking the famous 1933 photograph of a long-necked creature as a hoax. However, thousands of visitors continue to flock to Loch Ness annually hoping to capture evidence. In April 2026, Nessie was reportedly spotted twice within days after a months-long lull. In December 2024, Alan McKenna of Loch Ness Exploration suggested that sightings could be attributed to 'standing waves' on the water's surface.
