A spine tingling video of what happened when four cash strapped Neds (Chavs) went in search of Mòrag, Lochaber’s legendary loch monster, is released in time for Halloween.
The Outdoor Capital of the UK, Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s tourism brand, have today (27/10/17) released a humorous video on Facebook entitled ‘The legend of Mòrag the monster’, a tale of what happens when four Neds go in search of the monster of Loch Morar. The two-minute video is a special Halloween themed feature of the region’s year-long digital marketing campaign to inspire visitors to “Connect to your Adventure” in Fort William and Lochaber and encourage them to share their experiences on social media.
Video synopsis:
While, up until a couple of years ago, Mòrag had been quiet for more than 20 years without even the hint of a recorded sighting, local rumours now abound that Nessie’s cousin, who is only ever sighted in broad daylight, is making something of a comeback.
Having heard about a new challenge with a hefty financial reward to capture Lochaber’s own prehistoric plesiosaur, four Neds head out to the largely wild and uninhabited shores of the deepest freshwater body in Great Britain in search of its oldest and most elusive resident. Terrified by their individual encounters with this mysterious water deity and too scared to continue, one by one they head to the nearest pub to tell all of their brave and heroic exploits.
The video, narrated by local resident and ‘unbeliever’ Johnny Bell of Twindeer Law, encompasses one of Lochaber’s mystical legends together with the spectacular and wild landscapes of Loch Morar,
The search for Morag the Loch Morar Monster! #Halloween #scot…
The search for Morag the Loch Morar Monster! #Halloween #scotspirit #myoutdoorcapital 🎃👾😨🕯️A spine tingling video of what happened when four cash strapped Neds (English translation = chavs) went in search of Mòrag, Lochaber’s legendary loch monster deep in the heart of the Outdoor Capital of the UK!While, up until a couple of years ago, Mòrag had been quiet for more than 20 years without even the hint of a recorded sighting, local rumours now abound that Nessie’s cousin, who is only ever sighted in broad daylight, is making something of a comeback!Having heard about a new challenge to capture Lochaber’s own prehistoric plesiosaur, carrying with it a hefty financial reward, four Neds head out to the largely wild and uninhabited shores of the deepest freshwater body in Great Britain, in search of its oldest resident. Terrified by their individual encounters with this mysterious water deity and too scared to continue, one by one they head to the nearest pub to tell all of their brave and heroic exploits.The video, narrated by Johnny Bell of Twindeer LAW encompasses one of Lochaber’s mystical legends together with the spectacular and wild landscapes of Loch Morar.Morag (Scottish Gaelic: Mòrag) is the nickname given to the loch monster believed to live in Loch Morar, the scenic 12-mile long loch south of Mallaig, whose waters and surrounding hills are the haunt of otters, wildcats, red deer and golden eagles. The fifth-largest loch in Scotland has a surface area of 10.3 square miles with a maximum depth of 1,017ft (310 metres), more than the height of the Shard building in London.VisitScotland has match-funded the Outdoor Capital of the UK’s exciting new digital campaign through its Growth Fund, while the group will also benefit from further funding from the Highland LEADER Programme.LEADER is part of The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.Growth Fund applicants are required to align their marketing with VisitScotland’s strategies and campaigns, including the global Spirit of Scotland campaign. They are also encouraged to think about how they can take advantage of Scotland’s Themed Years, with 2017 being named the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.To find out more about the VisitScotland Growth Fund, go to www.visitscotland.org/growthfundTo find out more about LEADER, go to www.ruralnetwork.scot/funding/leaderFilming and Editing work carried by John Sutherland of Steall MediaOur heroes took their after hunt refreshments at West Highland Hotel MallaigTo find out more about connecting to your spooky adventure in the Outdoor Capital of the UK visit www.outdoorcapital.co.ukSpecial thanks to our Neds: Kara and Stuart Scott- McMillan, Jodie Fraser and Susie O'Brien!And to all please spread the tale of Morag!BBC The Social BBC Radio Scotland BBC Scotland BBC Alba Sky News Lochaber Chamber of Commerce University of the Highlands and Islands West Highland College UHI
Posted by The Outdoor Capital of the UK on Thursday, 26 October 2017
The video can also be viewed by clicking on: https://www.facebook.com/Outdoorcapitaluk/
Chris O’Brien, Destination Manager of Outdoor Capital of the UK (Lochaber Chamber of Commerce), said: “Tourism concentrating on Scottish myths and legends is increasingly popular here in the Outdoor Capital of the UK. With our latest video we wanted to have a little bit of fun with searching for Mòrag whilst showing off some of the stunning scenery of Loch Morar that can be experienced by our visitors at the same time!
“Connect to your Adventure has been an incredibly successful campaign reaching 15 million people. Our videos have had six million views and 500,000 people have liked or commented on the content.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors to the Outdoor Capital and who knows maybe a sighting or two of Mòrag!”
Ends
Media contact:
For interviews, images and further information please contact:
Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected] | M: +44 (0)7913 951717
Notes to Editors
The Loch Morar monster
Morag (Scottish Gaelic: Mòrag) is the nickname given to the loch monster believed to live in Loch Morar, the scenic 12-mile long loch south of Mallaig, whose waters and surrounding hills are the haunt of otters, wildcats, red deer and golden eagles. The fifth-largest loch in Scotland has a surface area of 10.3 square miles with a maximum depth of 1,017ft (310 metres), more than the height of the Shard building in London.
Writings, thought to date from 1902, paint a conflicting view of what she looks like; from a large serpentine-like creature to a beautiful and ethereal mermaid-like creature with flowing hair, to an altogether more sinister grim reaper whose sighting was viewed as a death omen.
Legend has it that unlike Nessie, Scotland’s most famous loch-based monster, Mòrag is seen in broad daylight but only when one of the hereditary people of the area dies….
Reported sightings date back to 1887. By 1981 34 incidents were officially recorded, 16 of which involved multiple witnesses. The most dramatic sighting and only known actual physical contact with Mòrag was experienced by two local men in August 1969 when their boat was supposedly hit by her. One of the men retaliated hitting the creature with an oar while the other opened fire with a rifle, sending it back into the deep. The duo described what they had seen as a brown creature, 25 – 30ft long with rough skin. It had three humps rising about 20 inches above the surface of the water, with a head a foot wide, also held about 20 inches above the water.
Useful websites & social media channels:
Lochaber Chamber of Commerce – http://www.lochaberchamber.co.uk/
The Outdoor Capital of the UK – http://www.outdoorcapital.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Outdoor_Capital
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Outdoorcapitaluk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorcapitaluk
YouTube:
The Outdoor Capital of the UK (OCUK) is Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s tourism element. Under the OCUK brand the Chamber of Commerce publicise, sponsor and promote Lochaber as a leading tourist destination within the UK. The Outdoor Capital of the UK website is the site to go to for local events, activity providers and visitor accommodation in Lochaber – http://www.outdoorcapital.co.uk/
Through a range of collaborative marketing initiatives and activities the organisation promotes Fort William and Lochaber as the best place in the UK for everyone to experience the outdoors; with a view to developing local jobs and wealth and encouraging sustainable economic growth – #myoutdoorcapital.
Visitors interested in the outdoors are very important to the economy and community of Lochaber. There are over 65 different activities to choose from in an amazing landscape that encompasses the small isles to Ben Nevis with White Water Rivers, sea, lochs, beaches, forest, glens, cliffs and mountains in between.
VisitScotland, has match-funded the OCUK’s digital campaign, “Connect to your Adventure”, through its Growth Fund, while OCUK has also benefited from a further £20,000 from the Highland LEADER Programme.
To find out more about the VisitScotland Growth Fund – http://www.visitscotland.org/growthfund
VisitScotland on Twitter – https://twitter.com/VisitScotNews
For further information on Scottish LEADER programme from Scottish Rural Network go to: https://www.ruralnetwork.scot/funding/leader
For information on The Outdoor Capital of the UK funded project got to:
https://www.outdoorcapital.co.uk/connect-adventure-raising-profile-lochaber/
