A swimmer in Scotland has claimed he felt something brush up against him in Loch Ness.
Duncan Roberts, 39, from Australia was bracing the icy waters of the iconic Scottish loch for a charity challenge. The daredevil was swimming to the deepest part of Loch Ness when the chilling encounter occurred.
He commented: “The depth and the darkness of that water plays tricks with your mind. There is some weird energy at play in that water.
“And during my swim I experienced a bump half way across. It was something big. The water is pitch black and I had my eyes closed a lot of the time as the depth and darkness terrified me so I didn’t see anything. I just felt it, a big thud in the chest.”
Speaking to What’s The Jam, Roberts added: “I think anyone who swims in the deep part of the loch is lying if they say they haven’t thought about the monster. I was focused on getting across as quickly as possible so the hit was a shock. I was already nervous enough before the swim.
“If I knew something was going to bump into me halfway across I would definitely have been having second thoughts.”
Roberts is one of only five people in the world to have skateboarded 870 miles around Iceland. However, he stated that the swim across the fabled Scottish loch was far tougher.
He said: “It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done mentally. I live in Australia and surf all the time often with Great White Sharks.
“I was way more scared of getting in the Loch Ness water. It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done mentally.
“I flew all the way from Australia so it would’ve been tough to back out. The loch is beautiful but definitely has a vibe about it that makes you freeze at the thought of swimming in it.
“Not to mention that it is roughly six to 10C. It also has the sensation of pulling you under a little. I think because it is fresh water and so deep. It is very different to salt water.
“I was hoping to not have an encounter. The deep dark water alone is scary enough, let alone worrying about what else might lurk below.
“There were definitely moments of awe and beauty as I caught glimpses of the length of the loch while I took breaths during the swim. But I wanted to get to the other side at Urquhart. Swimming into the castle shores was pretty magical.”
However, the swim was only half the challenge. Roberts then got out of the loch and donned a kilt.
The daredevil proceeded to climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain. Once at the summit, he played the bagpipes and climbed back down all in one day.
Last month, a hydrophone device that detects noise underwater picked up a strange sound that left experts questioning what could be lurking in the depths of Loch Ness. Underwater detectors picked up a regular heartbeat that had monster hunters abuzz.
Loch Ness is famous for apparent sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. According to the Loch Ness website, there have been more than 1,153 official sightings of the legendary creature.
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