Mo Chridhe of the Loch 2a

Chapter 2—Guardians of Loch Ness Legacy

For centuries, the Sinclair and Moray clans have guarded the secrets of Loch Ness. While some view the legend of the monster lurking in the depths as a hoax born of boredom, no definitive conclusions have been drawn. Yet, as Eilionoir gazes at Finn, they share a private smile.

Nessie exists—but not in the way people assume.

Many generations ago, seventeen-year-old Alastair Sinclair, while frantically searching for his sister Moira, claimed he heard her screams and felt her terror emanating from within Loch Ness. Although thoughts of the mysterious monster that lurked below crowded in, Alastair shoved them aside and dove into the water, kicking desperately as he pushed through the peat-black depths. The cold water chilled his skin, and his lungs begged for air. Still, he swam further. Moira needed him.

Just as darkness began clouding his vision, he spotted her! There, twenty feet away, she floated, trapped within something like kelp and surrounded by figures of shadow and light, their forms shifting like liquid. Instead of pleading for his life, he begged for his sister’s safety, speaking in old Gaelic as his gran instructed him. Intrigued by his love and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his sister, the ancient water spirits granted his request—but at a price.

Transformed into a serpentine creature, Alastair became Loch Ness’s guardian. Although he could still live on land, he would remain bound to Loch Ness for the rest of his mortal life, tasked with protecting the secrets hidden in her depths.

Years later, a blurry picture surfaced of Alastair swimming in the loch. He had sensed a disturbance in the water, and while investigating, he discovered a crudely assembled contraption. Was this supposed to be a monster? Unfortunately, just as he destroyed it, he heard the dreaded click of a camera. He dove underwater, but it was too late; people had seen him! Paranoid about what the photographer had witnessed, Alastair refused to change and swim in the loch. He jumped at every knock on his door, fearing someone would confront him about his secret.

Then, people came forward to admit that the circulating picture was a hoax—a harmless prank! Buíochas le Dia go bhfuil sé sin thart, he thought. Perhaps his secret was still safe. However, this revelation did not deter the enthusiastic adventure seekers now searching for proof of “The Loch Ness Monster.”

What harm was there in giving the public small but harmless glimpses of the truth?

Gaelic Words Glossary:

Loch--lake.

Buíochas le Dia go bhfuil sé sin thart--Thank God that's over!