UPDATE: Now that Roy McCarthy has set me straight, this post should be re-titled: Don’t Let This Happen to You! 🙂
I don’t think my American-ness has ever surfaced during my travels as much as it did when I went to Loch Ness in Scotland. Let’s be honest. There’s really only one reason people to travel to Loch Ness, isn’t there? Admit it. We go because of the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.
Now, I didn’t go expecting to see Nessie herself. I didn’t think I’d get there and go out on one of the tour boat excursions and be capsized into the murky water as Nessie breached beneath our boat. But I did expect to go to Loch Ness and find souvenirs for my 13-year-old nephew who is fascinated by Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and all the other legendary creatures (who he’s more familiar with than I am). Imagine my surprise when I got there and discovered that I’d have more luck hunting old Nessie herself than any souvenirs in the tiny village on its banks!
There are only a smattering of shops and restaurants there. But the shops are proper old-people type shops: woolen goods and soaps. Organic dog foods and candles. Nice hand-crafted wares, but no Nessie paraphernalia at all!
I couldn’t believe it! Where were all the sea creature games, puzzles, posters, figurines, mugs, t-shirts, bumper stickers, costumes, postcards, umbrellas, miniatures, hunting kits, replicas, swim gear, Nessie eggs, binoculars, books, etc., etc., etc,? The town was missing out on a gold mine! We were all there because of the Loch Ness Monster and it seemed they were doing their very best to ignore that fact.
All I can say is, that would have never happened in America. We would have capitalized the crap out of that opportunity.
I know, I know. This wasn’t in America. Yes, the town was pretty. But sadly, I went to Loch Ness, Scotland and all my nephew got was a crappy postcard. It should’ve been a t-shirt…
Have you ever been to a place that blatantly ignores the reason people are there?
Browsing The Atlas 
Ah you must have missed Nessieland then Juliann 🙂 Plenty of tat for sale there.
Seriously? How could I miss that?!! I wandered around there for two hours and ended up with nothing but a postcard. My poor nephew…
I just looked up Nessieland, which makes my entire post pointless! 😦 Nessieland! http://www.nessieland.co.uk/
I can’t believe I missed it. There I was wandering the shops in an apparently separate area of Loch Ness. For all I know, Nessie could have been right behind me and I would have missed it, too!
Thanks for setting me straight, Roy.
“Have you ever been to a place that blatantly ignores the reason people are there?”
Yes, the Department of Motor Vehicles. 🙂
I had to look up Nessieland–here’s a link Nessieland
Hahaha!! Good one! 🙂
It’s surprising to hear that they’re missing an opportunity like that. Perhaps they’re trying to discourage visitors for a while to give the monster a little rest and relaxation.
I obviously was on a different park of the lake than where all the activity of Nessieland seemed to be. It taught me a lesson: find out specifics if you’re booking a tour and want to see something particular. I was on a tour to Loch Ness and had no idea that they’d take us to a less-touristy spot.
Oh well, next time you go you’ll know to check out Nessieland! 🙂
Love it. Can you imagine anyone going out on the loch actually expecting to spot Nessie? I visited a long time ago and it never occurred to me about the souvenirs, or lack there of.
Well, that makes me feel better. I’m counting you in as someone else who was at a different part of the lake like I was. Humor me. 😉
Now confess, you did spend some time looking out on the lake, searching for the tell-tale head and neck. I did. 🙂 –Curt
I confess. I did look out onto the lake for Nessie, because I was sure that if I saw her, I’d find souvenirs nearby. 🙂
Ha – I’ve been there! 🙂
You see those rocks out in the water? That’s where my friend decided to jump from one slippery rock to another. Yes, of course he fell in! 🙂
Kindness – Robert.
Hahaha. He’s lucky Nessie wasn’t too hungry that day!
I’m sure he’s sat at home, drying off in front of the fire, thinking that very thing! 🙂