Scientists on the hunt for Nessie

DNA experts have already started collecting samples from the murky waters of Loch Ness in a bid to find out once and for all if the monster is real.

Kiwi scientist Neil Gemmell has travelled to Inverness with a team of specialists to try and uncover the loch’s secrets.

The geneticist is a professor at the University of Otago in New Zealand and hatched his plan after visiting the Highlands in August.

He spent the rest of the year raising funds and assembling a team of specialists in the hope of finding an answer.

"What we are going to do over the next couple of weeks is sample extensively across the loch, extract DNA from it and try to understand what organisms are present within the loch in June 2018," he said.

The group currently have the use of two boats, one for shore sampling from the Rivers and Loch Institute UHI and the other a ‘Deepscan’ vessel for the deep water thanks to the Loch Ness Project.

Mr Gemmell added: "So many great people are helping to make this project a reality."

Surprisingly, the scientist does not actually believe in the Loch Ness Monster but believes that there may be a scientific explanation for the sightings and that whether they find the monster or not, their work will be important for science in the UK.

The team are using special testing equipment to measure depth, temperature, salinity and pressure when they take samples so that they can better understand the conditions in which the organisms they detect live.

Following the most recent reports of a monster sighting, the group have already targeted the Urquhart Bay area of the loch for their tests as well as the northern shores.

Mr Gemmell has also been quick to take advantage of local knowledge and has recruited Adrian Shine of the Loch Ness Centre to share information about previous expeditions. And Eric Verspoor of the Rivers and Lochs Institute has been on hand to help – advising on sites and sampling techniques.

Mr Gemmell wants to encourage everyone to follow their progress on social media at Super Natural History and #lochnesshunters