Science vs. legend roils Loch Ness tourism industry

LOCH NESS, Scotland, June 15 (UPI) -- A Loch Ness tour operator issued a letter chiding a monster researcher for his negative views of the legendary sea monster.

George Edwards, who operates tour boats on the Scottish lake, fired off a letter to his fellow members of the Drumnadrochit Chamber of Commerce saying an overly scientific attitude toward the famed Loch Ness Monster was bad for business.

The individual who bore the brunt of the scolding, The Scotsman said Saturday, was one Adrian Shine, a veteran "Nessie" researcher whom Edwards said was turning off tourists at the Loch Ness Center. Shine was too quick to write off reported Nessie sightings as boat wakes or other less-glamorous phenomena.

"Just about every time that Mr. Shine appears in the media he talks about big fish and big waves," said Edwards. "I believe they are doing more harm than good in promoting Loch Ness tourism with their negative theories. How many people come here to see the Loch Ness Big Fish or the Loch Ness Big Wave?"

Edwards even proposed Shine pack up and leave the area; however; Shine retorted his scientific views on the monster were honest and a better way to treat visitors than hyping a legend even Edwards did not seem to accept.