Loch Ness Monster ‘could have been a giant eel’

THE man who filmed some of the most famous footage of Nessie has admitted it could have been a giant eel.

Gordon Holmes, who filmed jet-black shapes moving in Loch Ness from the roadside in 2007, agrees a US computer expert who analysed the footage has likely solved the mystery.

Mr Holmes, of Shipley, in West Yorkshire, now believes the creatures are eels between 10ft and 15ft long.

The retired university technician has visited Loch Ness six times in the past.

His two-minute video, shot from a layby on the A82, showed a long black shape moving just under the surface of the water.

It made headlines around the world, but many expressed scepticism.

Soon afterwards, US-based software company owner Bill Appleton sent a paranormal website a stabilised version of the footage.

Mr Holmes now says that this version proves the creatures were eels.

Mr Holmes said: “For over eight years now I have struggled to interpret what the two mysterious creatures were that I was fortunate to capture on film on May 26, 2007.

“After several estimations, I believe the creatures were approximately 12ft long.

“I am extremely grateful to the various experts who have analysed the footage and provided me with their opinion of the creature’s identity.

“Since eels do appear strange, ancient, scary-like beasties. that may explain several of the Loch Ness sightings over the centuries.

“Unless some unknown creature is retrieved from the depths of Loch Ness, I believe Bill has finally resolved this major mystery in my life.”

Giant eels have previously been suggested as being responsible for some Nessie sightings.

In 2003, Richard Freeman of the Centre for Fortean technology, in Exeter, said the monster was probably a “giant sterile eel.”