Police inspectors, lorry drivers, clergymen and fishermen were among the people who claimed to have seen the monster. It became so famous that it got a nickname: Nessie.
Tourists and 'Nessie hunters' flocked to the area. There were traffic jams around the lake. Certainly, there was much to be gained from the legend. According to Visit Scotland, Nessie tourism brings in more than ￡1m to the area per year.
Marine biologist Adrian Shine, who interviewed Mrs Mackay years later, believes she was sincere. But there are plenty of people who have made a living from Nessie, including Mr Shine himself. He now runs the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition out of Mrs Mackay's old hotel.
Dr Paxton says, analysing the eye-witness accounts may tell us more about ourselves than whether or not the monster exists. He is due to publish the results of his study later this year.
As a scientist, he casts a sceptical eye on all the evidence linked to Nessie. Highly respected British surgeon, Colonel Robert Wilson, claimed he photographed the beast in 1934. It was later revealed to be a toy submarine with a sea-serpent head.
Dr Paxton says: "I suppose it is possible that people have an agenda. But I believe the vast majority of people are reporting the truth. They believe they have seen something strange.''
Some say you see what you expect. If this is true, in the land famous for whisky and Nessie, the beast will live long and prosper.
Quiz 測驗 1. Whose sighting of Nessie was the first in modern times?
Hotel manageress Aldie Mackay's.
2. Was the first person who claims to have seen a monster telling the truth?
Aldie Mackay said what she believed to be the truth, according to an interviewer.
3. Is the statement true or false? A picture of the monster taken in 1934 proves its existence.
False. What appeared to be a monster was actually a toy.
4. Which expression means earning money?
To make a living.
5. Which expression can you use to say that you are seeing something that is extraordinary and improbable?
My eyes deceive me!
Glossary 词汇表 to spot發現 (her) eyes deceive (her)（她的）眼睛欺騙了（她） a fabrication捏造，編造 to note特別指出 an eye-witness account一個目擊證人的描述 elusive難以描述的 to raise suspicion（使人）產生懷疑 a conspiracy陰謀 to be widely regarded as被公認為 a sighting（對不尋常事情的）目睹 to open the floodgates打開閘門 to claim聲稱 to flock to蜂擁而至 a legend一個傳說、傳奇 to make a living from以…謀生 sceptical懷疑的 evidence證據 a toy一個玩具 to have an agenda有預謀
