During our road trip through the Scottish Highlands toward the Isle of Skye, we made a surprise stop that brought back childhood memories and sparked new ones with our kids—Loch Ness, the home of the legendary monster “Nessie.”
1. Childhood Memories of a Mysterious Monster
Growing up, I heard countless stories about the Loch Ness Monster—Nessie.
I honestly thought it was somewhere in the United States. That’s how mythical it felt. I remember looking through books, watching documentaries, and imagining what it would be like to spot that long neck rising out of the water.
Little did I know, Nessie was waiting in the Scottish Highlands all along.
2. A Surprise Discovery on the Way to Skye
As we drove toward the Isle of Skye, we noticed the sign: “Loch Ness.”
I literally said out loud, “Wait—this is the Loch Ness?”
It wasn’t in our plan, but we immediately pulled over and found ourselves by the edge of the loch. The water stretched endlessly in a moody, grey palette, surrounded by wooded hills. There was even a charming Nessie sculpture nearby, which made the kids laugh and strike funny poses for photos.
3. Family Fun and YouTube Curiosity
Back in the car, we couldn’t stop talking about Nessie.
We pulled up YouTube and started watching old footage, theories, and “sightings.”
Our son asked if Nessie might be a dinosaur. Our daughter was convinced Nessie was just “shy, not fake.” We laughed, we imagined, and we wondered—just like I did when I was a kid.
It became one of the most unexpectedly fun and memorable moments of the trip.
Loch Ness wasn’t just a body of water or a tourist photo-op.
It reminded me how travel brings families together—not just physically, but through shared curiosity, wonder, and storytelling.
What started as a random road sign turned into a powerful family moment. Nessie may still be a mystery, but for us, Loch Ness became very real that day.