It is a legend that has intrigued and enthralled both tourists and locals alike for centuries.
Now, one of Scotland's most famous tourist destinations is offering a monster opportunity for Nessie 'believers'.
The Loch Ness Centre is offering a range of new jobs in advance of re-opening after a major renovation project.
Continuum Attractions took over earlier this year, investing £1.5m on upgrades to enhance the visitor experience of exploring the legend and myths of Loch Ness.
Ahead of opening one lucky candidate will also be the first to test out the one-hour tour.
Centre managers say the newly upgraded feature will offer "a truly immersive experience" allowing guests to become part of the story and delve deeper into the real stories of Loch Ness.
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During the tour guests will go through seven rooms to explore the story of one of the world’s most famous monsters, uncover ancient myths and legends, take a journey through the majestic Highlands and learn about the scientific research.
Nessie's number one fans are being asked to submit a short video of no longer than two minutes explaining why they should be chosen.
The visitor attraction is also looking to hire two duty managers aimed at people "with a passion for the tourism industry" and an Inverness-based marketing manager.
Driving growth and revenue at the centre will be a key objective and applicants are being promised a generous salary, health plan and pension scheme as well as additional perks including discounts on visitor attractions.
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Paul Nixon at Loch Ness Centre said: “Nessie’s story is one that lives in hearts and minds all over the world.
"As we prepare to reopen the Loch Ness Centre following extensive refurbishments, we’re looking for talented, enthusiastic people to join us in our passion and mission to share Nessie’s story even more widely.
"In exchange, the right candidates will receive a generous salary and benefits package along with the unique opportunity to engage with audiences from around the world and share Scotland’s legendary history with them”.
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The reimagined centre will also offer cruises on Loch Ness and a calendar of events aimed at visitors of all ages.
According to the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, there have been 1131 sightings of Nessie to date ranging from disturbances on the surface of the water to a “solid dark shape”.
Results from the latest Nessie-hunt, led by Neil Gemmell from the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand), have discounted many major theories but one remains plausible.
Following analysis of over 500 million DNA sequences taken from samples of water from the loch, it can be ruled out that Nessie is any type of reptile or a giant fish.
In 1991 Steve Feltham sold his house in the south of England, quit his job and left his girlfriend to set up camp on the banks of Loch Ness
He is the official holder of the Guinness World Record for longest continuous vigil.
He bought a 1970 Commer van formerly used as a mobile library and drove it north from Dorset, England to the Scottish Highlands.
On July 18, 1991, he looked out on the lake for the first time as a full-time monster hunter.
“This is it,” 28-year-old Feltham said, in a moment captured by the BBC’s “Video Diaries.” “I am home.” Then he let out a whoop of joy.
At 23 miles long, a mile wide and 755 feet at the deepest point, Loch Ness holds more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
About 200,000 people visit Loch Ness each year.
The monster first surfaced in a seventh-century account of the life of St. Columba, an Irish monk who impressed his followers by repelling a violent “water beast” with nothing more than the sign of the cross and some stern words.
The creature was mostly quiet until 1933, when the Spicers, a London couple driving around the lake’s newly completed road, claimed to see a long-necked “prehistoric animal” slithering across the highway into the lake.
Dozens of similar sightings followed.
Sir Godfrey Collins, Secretary of State for Scotland, authorized Inverness police to warn residents and visitors that the creature, if sighted, must not on any pretext be molested, shot or trapped,” The New York Times reported Dec. 9, 1933.
In 1934, a London doctor named Kenneth Wilson snapped a photograph of a mysterious shape rising from the lake’s still surface. The Daily Mail published the monster’s most famous portrait, a grainy image of what looks like a hump and a dinosaur-like neck.
Within days, a line of cars was snaking to Loch Ness and a legend was born.
Continuum Attractions owns and manages a portfolio of award-winning visitor attractions delivering unique and memorable experiences including; York’s Chocolate Story, Coronation Street The Tour
To find out more about the jobs go to www.continuumattractions.com/join-the-team/jobs/
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