Latest Loch Ness monster search uses drones, thermal imaging and underwater listening devices

Well, the mystery over the Loch Ness Monster has fueled imagination and speculation for centuries. Over the weekend, explorers and enthusiasts from around the world descended on the Scottish Highlands to join one of the largest ever hunts for evidence of its existence. Our elite joined the crowd hoping to get to the bottom of this murky mystery. There's a mystery lurking in the north of Scotland. In this land of mountains, mist and music. The legend of the Loch Ness Monster looms large. Do you want to believe? Yes, definitely, of course. Yeah, I mean, that's why I'm here. I mean, I wouldn't have checked out in this weather to see nothing. Caroline McNamara from New Jersey joined hundreds of volunteers in the largest search in 50 years. Unfortunately, we didn't see much today because of the weather. The legend of the monster dates back to the 6th century and an alleged encounter by an Irish monk. But it really took off in 1933 with a sighting of a whale like creature. This latest search used state of the art technology. We've got drones going up tonight, so they'll be using thermal imaging cameras and underwater devices. Listen to what's lingering in the deep. We've started to detect noises which we haven't heard before, and we can't answer them. The secrets of these waters have attracted scientists, monster hunters, and of course millions of tourists. Trudy Priya traveled from North Carolina to try her luck. Everybody's here seeing Nessie and I was. I can't drive by without seeing Nessie. Is this kind of a bucket list thing? Yes, 100%. And the Gaelic gift shops make sure monster hunters don't go home empty handed. What would Loch Ness be then without Nessie would just be a very, very beautiful part of the country. We don't have anything that is caught the world's imagination like the Loch Ness monster. But with no definitive proof discovered, imaginations can continue to run wild. Any Lee joins us now from Loch Ness. Ian, good morning. I'm sad you're not wearing your hat. You look like such an explorer in that last shot. Any potential sightings this weekend of Nessie? A good morning Chanel. You know I was trying to channel my Alan Grant from Jurassic Park by wearing that hat since I am looking for what some consider to be a dinosaur. But you know, talking to people that you know there's people who be like, oh, I think I saw something out there on the water. They're not sure you know there's nothing been definitive clearly, but you know people really like to come out here and try to see if they don't test their luck to see if they can see something. And there was a guy you spoke to in that piece that said they were using drones. I mean so much technology going into the hunt. How does that sort of play a part in this? You know, this is the thing that they want to like use science really to try to find out if this monster exists. And so you did have drones with thermal imaging. You have cameras that have thermoscopes on you have underwater microphones trying to detect anything, and they did find something that they didn't really know what it was. But this is the kind of technology that they hope as it progresses will be able to give more answers about the lock and there is one bit of technology that they didn't have 50 years ago. I have it. You have it. Most people have it. It's a cell phone and there are people all around this lock and they're able to take pictures and videos and so you know really with more eyes out here that's just more possibilities of finding Nessie. What's so fascinating to me is that people from all around the world are so captivated by this mystery. I mean, you spoke to that woman who went there all the way from New Jersey. I wonder what is it about the legend of Nessie that is so compelling to people there and around the globe? Yeah, you know Chanel when we were at this center getting ready for this hunt, there was people from all over the world, from Japan, from Australia, from New Zealand. Really, just all the four corners wanting to be a part of this, and I I think everyone for them. There's a bit of magic here. You know it's fun to believe in a myth. It's fun to go out on a search and so when people coming here they they want to believe you know you have your skeptics. But you have your true believers, but everyone really wants to be a part of this legend. And you know, being out here for us, it is fun to have your binoculars. Look out at the water and test your own luck. And you know, we saw in your piece there, Ian, some some shots of inside shops and stores there. This must have a big impact on the economy there. Absolutely, you know, that's the one thing too. You know this. This whole search also builds up excitement for the tourism industry. We're told that over 1,000,000 tourists come here every year and producing tens of millions of dollars for the local economy. So it really is a big business. And you know, that's when I asked some people. I said, shouldn't SE be discovered? Should there be a definitive answer? Because if the answer is no, then tourism dollars might dry up. But they said, you know, even if technology advances, they believe the myth will still remain. It's so true. Ian Lee, thanks so much for this reporting. And you do truly look like an Explorer this morning. Thank you.