Loch Ness monster meets the iphone

Jul 7, 2010

iNessie is an intriguing iphone clock app for fans of the loch ness mystery!

What’s Nessie?

Nessie is the affectionate term for the supposed scientifically uncategorised cryptid (although Sir Peter Scott the revered naturalist did give the species a Latin name – Nessiteras rhombopteryx) known as the loch ness monster a creature (or more likely, if flesh & blood, creatures) that supposedly swims beneath the waves of loch ness in Scotland.

The loch is massive and it is said that the worlds population could fit into the loch and there would still be room to spare so there is plenty of room for a few monsters!

Over the years there have been a variety of sightings of what some believe to be a freshwater adapted relative of the long extinct plesiosaur or a similar species.

Unfortunately from a biological perspective it’s unlikely that the fish stocks in loch ness could provide sustenance for a family of large water dwelling creatures.

Although sonar scans of the loch have produced some strange anomalies there is still a lack of any hard evidence for the existence of a group of large water dwelling creatures in the loch.

Photographic evidence is also scarce but there are a few impressive examples of what many believe to be the creature and these have continued to create ripples in the press over the years (whilst Nessi continues to create hers in the loch)!

However despite the lack of physical evidence the mystery remains. Not only that but it has a venerable history stretching back into local folklore long before the creature was given exposure by the media in the early 1930′s after a new road opened up along the loch near Urqhuart castle.

The creature was in an earlier incarnation known as a water kelpie or water horse perhaps because of the creatures long neck or perhaps local folklore has led to the modern day mystery (chicken & egg situation).

Many normal, sane, level headed people, often trained professionals and inhabitants of the loch surrounds continue to see the creature or creatures and many often come away profoundly changed by their experience so this is perhaps the real mystery.

If there is no physical creature what is it that people are seeing?

Loch ness is a truly atmospheric place and so hopefully the mystery will never die and neither will Nessie so this app helps to keep Nessie alive – if only in our imaginations! More about Nessie HERE

The iNessie app:

In essence iNessie is a clock app but one with a twist! Much like the real loch ness you have to be very patient to catch a glimpse of Nessi in this app!

The iNessie app displays a computer generated virtual underwater view of loch ness compleat with bubbles and swirling fish which occasionally swim near enough so you can see them close up ( this is actually somewhat unrealistic as the lochs waters are almost impenetrable to the eye due to the large amount of peat residue washed into the loch by surrounding streams and rivers but without such artistic licence you would be staring at a brown screen!).

Overlaid onto the underwater scene is the current time so thankfully you can use the app as a clock whilst your iPhone is docked. It also plays some suitably relaxing somewhat new age music but you can switch this off if not your taste.

The app would be improved with an alarm function so perhaps the developer Will add this at some point?

I can’t show you a picture of Nessie as though the creature swims past at a variety of intervals I haven’t been quick enough to grab a screen shot but this is part of the apps charm as it recreates the elusive nature of the lochs mystery.

I have no doubt the developer is a fan of the loch ness mystery as the app is aesthetically very nice. The developer says of the app…

Hello! How are you doing?

Hey, listen to this.

One day, I was taking a relaxing afternoon walk along the lake…

(Oops it’s not a lake! The Scotts won’t like that!)

…and then, I saw IT!

You know what Loch Ness is dont you?

Thats right! I know what youre gonna say not so many people go in search of Nessie these days but I know something.

Nessie hides itself down in the depths and the monster comes up to the surface to look about.

I know you dont believe me but I saw it! This is not a lie!

Although I liked this app it needs more functions (e.g. an alarm) and you would have to be a real Nessie fan to get over the ridiculous price $1.99 / £1.19

Visit the developers web site here or get iNessie in the app store Here

NOTE: Unfortunately this app no longer seems to be available, let us know if you spot any other Nessi related apps