August 22nd: The Day the Loch Ness Monster was Spotted

Spotted? Nessie

In 565 AD, Saint Columba reported a sighting of a monster in Loch Ness, Scotland. As a Gaelic Irish missionary monk, and one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland, Columba travelled Scotland and Ireland spreading the word. The main recordings of his life are in the Vita Columbae, a trilogy of books written by Adomnan, which feature Columba's Miracles, the source of this posting.
   So the story goes that Columba walked past a group of Picts (a confederation of Celtic tribes living in ancient eastern and northern Scotland) who were burying a man who had supposedly been killed by a monster in Loch Ness. The affectionately named monster "Nessie" has often been reportedly seen in the Loch throughout history, however it remains a legend as there is no solid proof of its existence. Columba's sighting is the first ever reference to the monster, and due to 565 AD's limited supplies of digital cameras and recording devices, it is extremely questionable.
    Furthermore, Adomnan writes that Columba then saved a man who was swimming from the monster, by making the sign of the Cross and declaring: 'Thou shalt go no further, nor touch the man; go back with all speed.' Apparently it worked, which conveniently indicates that only the power of God could stop this monster. However, Adomnan's account of the ordeal states that the events happened in the River Ness, rather than the Loch itself. So this perhaps reinforces the "Loch Ness Monster" as legendary myth. What do you think? Is there a monster in the Loch, or just a mistaken explanation for some waves or rocks in the water?