Sir Ewen and Loch Ness? Loch Arkaig?

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi,

I was doing some Web-related research today, and found a brief mention which was new to me. It related that either during or after a fight with "wild-cats" (perhaps "code" for Macintoshes?) on the shores of Loch Ness, that Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel saw a monster in the loch. The brief reference went onto mention that it appeared again in 1771 and people were convinced it was the "water-kelpie."

There's also a story floating around (excuse the pun) that Loch Arkaig was said to have had its own mysterious inhabitant, known as Lizzie, thought to be kin to Nessie. Does anyone have any source material for these stories, as they would be interesting tales for the Clan Cameron Archives!

[ChrisDoak]

Hi Tom,

I haven't come across any monsters lurking in Loch Arkaig(so far),but a common myth until recent times ,was that a water bull (tarbh-uisge) used to frequent Loch Lundavra,and a water horse (each-uisge) Loch Treig.

This fascinating wee snippet appeared in the Scottish tabloid "The Sunday Mail" on 27 October 2002 -

"KENNEDY DAD IN SKELETON RIDDLE.

Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy's dad has found a mystery skeleton.

And baffled experts can't decide if the bones discovered by crofter Ian Kennedy,76,are the remains of a dinosaur or a kangaroo.

Ian found the 8 foot-long skeleton in long grass near the family's private graveyard at Clunes,near Achnacarry,Invernesshire.

He said:'The skeleton's appearance would suggest something from an earlier time.No head or tail was to be found,but the rib cage was very robust.'

He reckons it could even be Lizzie,the fabled monster of nearby Loch Lochy.

But local GP and fossil expert Dr Chris Robinson said:'I know it might sound absurd but there's the good chance that this is the skeleton of a kangaroo.I've asked keepers at Kincraig Wildlife Park if a kangaroo ever got loose.' "

(You will probobly remember Ian Kennedy as the excellent fiddler at the Ceilidh at last year's International Gathering.His son Charles is a Member of Parliament,and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party.)

Regards,Chris.

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi Chris,

Ah, they may have found poor Lizzie! Thanks for posting the story, it's a good one! I just hope we can hear the news on what it really was!!