Nessie
One of the Highlands most iconic and illusive residents lives in the deep, cool waters of Loch Ness. The Nessie Needlers were inspired by the myths and legends which surround the Loch Ness monster and gave Nessie a new home in their panel.
This is their story.
One thousand, three hundred and sixty years after St Columba had stern word with the monster, Nessie suddenly reappeared. In 1933 and 1934 she was seen by several people. Aldie MacKay and her husband were driving along the A82 on 15th April, 1933, where the road runs close to the loch shore. She saw an enormous creature with the body of whale rolling in the water, and in the Inverness Courier was quoted as saying, ‘there was something uncanny about the whole thing’.
Indeed, a year later a photograph was published in the Daily Mail showing a long-necked, dinosaur-like creature apparently surfacing in the loch. An actor and big-game hunter, Marmaduke Wetherell, claimed to have found Nessie’s footprints on the shore but was ridiculed in the Daily Mail. Seeking revenge, he and others brought a toy submarine from Woolworth’s. Having shaped a neck and head with putty, they stuck it on, sent the contraption into the loch and took a photograph. Which the Daily Mail published, claiming it was authentic.
Nessie must have smiled.
Loch Ness is full of stories and interesting creatures.Image provided by Kirstie Campbell
The Nessie Needlers were inspired by their surroundings to stitch their own stories into the embroidered loch landscape. Nessie is surrounded by stones which tell the story of the local area. The rich heritage, special places and stunning wildlife which make the area so special to those who live there is captured. We hope they will inspire the imagination and give you a flavour of what we love about our Highland home.
READ MORE ABOUT THE STORIES IN OUR PANEL BELOW
Read our stories
WITH THANKS TO THE NESSIE NEEDLERS
This panel was stitched by Maureen, Margaret, Audrey, Catherine, Gina, Kirsty, Laura, Lexie, Sarah, Toni and Vicky who gave their time, skill and energy to completing a fantastic artwork for their area.
If you would like to see the panel up close and admire the detail of their work, please look out for the panel at an exhibition near you soon. To find out more, follow Inverness Castle Experience on Facebook for all the latest updates on the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands and the new visitor experience in Inverness, open 2025.
