A US travel writer has posted an incredible rant giving the reasons why he hates Loch Ness - dubbing it the "longest, deepest, most boring, and most overhyped lake" he has ever laid eyes on.
Seattle-based Rick Steves' Europe writer and photographer Cameron Hewitt stuck his views up on Facebook after driving from Inverness to the Isle of Skye via the loch.
The experienced tourism researcher explained that he was forced to take the route as part of his role due to the loch's popularity.
Taking to social media to share his frustration, he wrote: "I hate Loch Ness. There, I said it.
"Famous as it may be, there’s nothing remotely interesting about Loch Ness, once you’re actually here. Loch Ness doesn’t even crack the top 25 list of 'prettiest Scottish lochs'.
"It’s simply a long, narrow lake with a string of cheesy roadside attractions, and a not-very-dramatic mountains on the far side."
And he wasn't holding back when it came to the subject of the loch's most famous resident either.
"It’s almost as if the Scots, determined to wring a little touristic value out of this giant waste of space," He continued. "At some point said, 'Hmm...we should come up with some utterly fabricated story to get people to want to spend time and money here'.
"And so the Loch Ness Monster — Nessie — was born."
Cameron's own views on the legendary beast are equally unequivocal.
He ranted: "There is no Loch Ness Monster... period. It does not exist. Never has.
"It’s just empty hype, invented in the 1930s, kept alive by hoax after hoax, seemingly for no other reason than to get people excited about a little stretch of the nothingness contained within the Scottish interior."
He then went on to discuss the loch's boat tours (which he dubs "pointless"), the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition and Urquhart Castle - which he admits may be the only saving grace of the loch.
However, he explained he has a valid reason for hating what is arguably, Scotland's most famous waterway.
Taking time to summarise his feelings, he adds: "It’s frustrating because there is so much to see in Scotland that’s so much better than Loch Ness.
"I think I have such a chip on my shoulder partly because I find it insulting to the other great sights of Scotland and its Highlands that Loch Ness consumes far more than its share of oxygen.
"I like to imagine a parallel world where Loch Ness does not exist. In that world, people devote their time to so many other, genuinely amazing attractions in this part of Scotland."
Cameron then takes time to point would-be tourists in the directions of some of the attractions and landmarks near Inverness they should be visiting.
- Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre - "one of the most interesting, best-presented, most evocative historical sights I’ve seen in the UK."
Speyside Cooperage - where you can learn about how they assemble the barrels for aging whisky.
Leault Working Sheepdogs – "Here you can watch Alan — a salt-of-the-earth Highland farmer, who was born and raised on this very patch of land — demonstrate his sheepdogs as they follow his commands to run in broad circles to bring in a herd of sheep."
Eilean Donan Castle - "if you want a truly spectacular castle-on-the-water experience (which puts Urquhart to shame)."
Summing up, he adds: "I’m about halfway through a three-week road trip around Scotland.
"And, if I’m being honest, there’s not much I’m seeing that isn’t more impressive than Loch Ness."
Adding that he doesn't blame people for being curious about the loch, he implores them to try some of Scotland's other attractions on instead.
"What if you were the rare tourist who came to your senses while planning your itinerary, and zagged where everyone else is zigging?" He adds. "Just try this on for size: Say to your travel partner, 'You know what? Let’s skip Loch Ness.
"'Instead, let’s do that sheepdog show, or do a whisky tasting, or hit a couple of cool castles, or find some amazing live music'."
What do you think? Do you agree with Cameron? Or has he got it totally wrong? Let us know below in the comment section.
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