Dolphins surface to challenge Nessie as biggest visitor draw

The Press and Journal: Dolphins surface to challenge Nessie as biggest visitor draw
The enduring appeal of the Loch Ness monster as one of Scotland’s biggest visitor attractions has come under threat.

An audacious challenge to the elusive charms of Nessie has been launched by supporters of the Moray Firth’s dolphin colony.

The Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership wants to lure holidaymakers to the area with the near certainty of spotting dolphins and other sea life.

Group chairman Roger Goodyear said: “No one, and certainly not those who depend on the mythology for a living, cares to admit that Nessie doesn’t exist except in the imagination of visitors.

“Is Nessie real? As they say in panto at this time of year – ‘Oh no, she isn’t’ and she’s not even behind you.

“We want people to know that instead of spending valuable holiday time looking for something that doesn’t exist, they should come to Scotland’s dolphin coast instead. They will see something that does exist, like our dolphins, porpoises or even minke whales.

“We can assure visitors our dolphins will be 100% genuine and not a floating log, upturned rowing boat or a trick of the light.”

Nessie supporters yesterday dismissed the notion that the dolphins could dent her appeal.

Fraser Campbell, managing director of Drumnadrochit-based Cobbs restaurant and coffee shop chain, said: “They are not a serious challenge unless they can swim with three humps in the water.

“People come to our part of the world not just for the monster but for the amazing scenery as well.”

He countered the Banffshire group’s claim that Nessie was a myth and said: “I know a lot of credible people in this area who have seen something in the loch.

“At any event, people come and stay here and go to the Black Isle to see the dolphins so we can offer them and the monster too.”

Mr Goodyear said the partnership encouraged responsible dolphin watching and worked only with boat trip operators who are members of the dolphin space programme scheme.

He said: “Accredited operators follow a code of conduct that helps to ensure any interaction with wildlife at sea does not cause disturbance.

“The harbours at Banff and Macduff are departure points for boat trips which are accredited under the scheme.”

The Moray Firth is home to a colony of about 130 bottlenose dolphins and sightings are common in the summer months.

Scottish Natural Heritage claims nature-based tourism is worth about £1.4billion a year to the Scottish economy and supports the equivalent of 39,000 full-time jobs.

The tourism group’s dolphin appeal coincides with the launch of a website at www.banffshirecoast.com