A Loch Ness Cruises tour guide filed a letter complaining to the Drumnadrochit Chamber of Commerce in Scotland about the "myth" surround the legendary monster at the bottom of the lake, reported the Scotsman.
The Loch Ness monster has been one of Scotland's biggest tourism attractions, with boat tours taking customers around the water where "Nessie" is rumored to roam. George Edwards, of Loch Ness cruises, said that dispelling the monster as a myth is hurting their tourism business.
In the letter he criticizes staff members of the Chamber of Commerce for its "practical" narrative about the monster. He also went after researcher Adrian Shine, saying he has only helped dispel the myth of the monster at the bottom of the lake.
"I believe they are doing more harm than good in promoting Loch Ness tourism with their negative theories," Edwards wrote. "How many people come here to see the Loch Ness Big Fish or the Loch Ness Big Wave?"
His letter went on to address Shine and his "cronies" directly.
"Mr. Shine and his cronies have been making a nice living out of Loch Ness for the past 20-odd years and if they cannot see the logic in promoting Nessie then maybe it's time they moved on, as they seem intent on destroying our industry," Edwards wrote.
Shine responded publically, as did members of the Chamber of Commerce.
"Interestingly, it emerges that Mr. Edwards does not believe in the Loch Ness Monster, [stating] 'Most of the people I talk to on my boat know that it's just a bit of fun.' and speaks of 'my little stories about Nessie,'" Shine said.
Tony Harmsworth was one of a few staff members who resigned amidst this war of words.
"Today's tourists are more discerning," wrote Harmsworth in a letter in response to Edwards'. "They want to understand the culture, legend and natural history of the places they visit."
He went on to say that Edwards used fake pictures of the monster to intrigue his customers.
The various resignations of staff members are due to the distribution of the letter. Debbie McGregor, manager of the Loch Ness Centre was upset that the committee was not consulted before the letter was sent around.
"I don't work with committees like that," she said. "An argument like this is not good for the community, but it could have been avoided if the committee had been advised before the letter was sent out."
Shine, on the other hand, disagrees with the Chamber of Commerce and with Edwards.
"The Drumnadrochit Chamber of Commerce has done a disservice to the reputation of this subject by being at such pains to facilitate Mr. Edwards' form of promotion by rendering his letter more literate and distributing to the entire membership."
