Loch Ness Monster "plausible" according to researchers

It is one of the best-known legends in Scottish folklore, the Loch Ness Monster. A large aquatic creature, massive in size and usually spotted in the deep, fresh-water of Loch Ness, in the Scottish Highlands.

Reports of this creature have, so far, been based on personal accounts rather than facts or research. For a long while, the Loch Ness Monster has been seen as a mythological monster, without biological basis, surrounded by hoaxes, misidentification and fanciful belief. Therefore, there has been some dispute over its existence.

However, today may be the day, where that all changes.

A global team of researchers, headed by a Professor Neil Gemmell from New Zealand, have recently come forward saying that there is one "plausible" theory of the creature.

This comes as their DNA investigation in the water samples of Loch Ness has reached its completion.

Over 200 samples were taken from the fresh-water loch, and from these samples, enough DNA has been extracted to analyse roughly 500 million sequences.

The full findings of their investigation will not be revealed until the team's press conference, later on September 5.

Last month, the team claimed that they had a biological explanation for the existence of the creature.

The Loch Ness has been of widespread and worldwide interest since 1933. But, one of the first few alleged sightings of the monster date back to the Sixth Century. The Life of St. Columba by Adomnán describes an Irish monk visiting the River Ness and encountering the beast with his follower. Many believers of the Loch Ness Monster refer to this encounter as proof of its existence.

However, sceptics note that water-creature stories were prevalent in medieval writing of saints. Also, there are suggestions by sceptics that there is no correlation between Adomnán's tale and today's notion of the Loch Ness Monster. They claim that comparisons and references are drawn by believers wishing to strengthen their faith in the monster.