“Originally, the ring had about 60 stones, the rest hadn’t survived to our time,” Warren began. “Legends say that for many centuries, sacrifices were made on an altar situated in the center of the megalithic circle to appease various gods. Locals say that at first, virgins and children were offered as sacrifices, and in later times – animals. Nowadays, this place is just a tourist attraction, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

“Such gigantic stones,” Megan exclaimed in admiration.

“And how many terrifying stories they hold in their memory,” Duncan said. “I really like this place; it's definitely filled with mystique.”

Craig also contributed, “The local legend says, once every four years, according to the Celtic calendar, on the night of November 11th to 12th, a unique astronomical event occurs. Stars and planets align in a special order, creating a connection with the altar within the ancient stone circle. It's said that if you lie on the altar at midnight, you can momentarily connect with cosmic forces and receive answers to the most important questions about the past and the future. However, the altar must first be sprinkled with the blood of those seeking knowledge.”

“This is the first time I'm hearing such a legend, Craig. Did you just make it up to scare Megan?” Warren asked, laughing.

But Duncan supported the storyteller, “I've heard about this from some locals as well.”

“And does the belief actually work?” Megan asked Craig, surprised.

“I have no idea, nor the desire to test it. Many tell the legend, but no one has ever named a single person who received any information from the cosmos while lying on this altar. I think it's just as much of a fairy tale as the blooming fern. Our region loves mysterious stories. Point out any mysterious place, and immediately a new tale is invented, giving it the utmost mysticism,” he replied.

“I completely agree with you, Craig,” Duncan said. “If we were to go to the sea now and set up another stone circle, even if it’s smaller than this one, by tomorrow a story would be born about some sea monster that built its altar on land to communicate with the Universe. And by next year, this myth would be known across the north of Scotland.”

Warren also eagerly joined the conversation, “Megan, Scots are special people, remember, it's only in our country that the Loch Ness Monster lives. Just think about it, nowhere else in the world, in none of the tens of thousands of lakes on Earth, does any creature like this exist, but in Scotland, it does, and what a creature it is! Do you know how many tales are associated with it? All you have to do is visit any bookshop and you'll find dozens of books with countless myths about this being. During the boat ride on the lake, they'll tell you at least ten different stories related to the Nessie monster within an hour.”

Megan was impressed. People had invented so many stories about a single lake inhabitant! For a moment, she wondered what she actually knew about the most popular, albeit possibly fictional, Scottish creature.

“Could you tell me more about this monster?” she said, addressing Warren. “I saw something about it on TV, but I can't remember what it was.”

“I'd be happy to share all I know. In the lake itself, Loch Ness was formed at the end of the Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. Its water is murky and black due to the abundance of peat, but it is very deep and surrounded by steep cliffs. Until recently, before tourist paths were laid, it was an impassable and inaccessible place. Hence, the most popular theory is that the Loch Ness Monster is a descendant of a surviving dinosaur. Some scientists believe the lake is connected to the sea through underground tunnels and that several dinosaurs could have survived thanks to this. There's no confirmation that there's more than one, but it's unlikely that the creature could have survived alone. According to ancient legends, Roman legionnaires were the first to tell of this monster. All known animals were immortalized by local inhabitants on stones. There was only one animal the Romans couldn't identify – a huge seal with a very long neck. In the sixth century AD, a certain water beast appears in the chronicles, but then all mentions of it disappear until the late nineteenth century. People living near Loch Ness today remember being forbidden to swim as children, because of a hellish creature with a horse's head that drags people into the depths and eats them there.”

“You're telling too many horror stories,” Craig said.

“What do you think about this creature? You probably know a lot about it too?” Megan asked him.

“I prefer the theory that the Loch Ness Monster is a vision that appears under the influence of hallucinogenic gases. The lake is located on a huge earth crust fault. This fault facilitates small earthquakes, and the release of gases from underneath can cause hallucinations in people. However, it's unclear why these hallucinations are similar among different people. Or perhaps it's a supernatural entity that penetrates our world through astral tunnels.”

Duncan continued the theme, “Also, Loch Ness and the creature living in it are a local attraction that draws many tourists. And that brings substantial money to hoteliers and the city administration. It's quite possible that all the tales about the monster are made up to keep visitors interested in the place. Tourists will visit the lake in hopes of seeing an unknown creature to humanity, meanwhile leaving quite a sum of money behind.”

“Regardless, for several centuries, scientists have been trying to get to the truth of whether something large and unexplored lives in Loch Ness; locals and tourists try to photograph it… But so far, there's not a single convincing explanation for this phenomenon,” Warren concluded his story.

“Yes, Scots are indeed unique people,” Megan said.

The group members dispersed in different directions around the stone circle, examining the ancient megalithic slabs. Megan approached one of the megaliths and ran her hand over its rough, cold surface. At that moment, a strong wind blew from the sea, and strands of hair blew onto her face. Craig, who stood beside her, carefully moved the strands away from her face. This gesture seemed quite intimate to her. Unexpectedly, out of nowhere, a black raven flew between them, brushing the young man's face with its wing.

“Damn bird,” he snapped, stepping back slightly startled.

It was so sudden that they each got a fright. The raven made a few circles above their heads and flew away.

“I've noticed that these ravens are very bold around here. One constantly circles around Castle Mal. Once, it even landed on my hand when I was trying to pick flowers in the field. These birds scare me,” Megan said, looking disdainfully after the departing raven.

“Pay no attention to them, Megan. They're just birds. Maybe they're going through some kind of nesting frenzy right now, who knows,” Craig said, annoyed at being robbed of an intimate moment with the girl.

“You're right. It's just a bird. But it's very unpleasant when it suddenly appears everywhere I go,” Megan sighed, stepping away from the giant stone.

“Guys, come here!” called Glenn, spreading a picnic blanket on the grass outside the circle.

The diligent hostess had prepared everything for a picnic in advance. She placed a checkered basket in the center of the makeshift table, from which she took out cheese, sandwiches, apples, and a bottle of wine, which Warren immediately opened. Pouring the contents into glasses, he handed each person their share.

“Here's to a good, warm day! Such weather is rare around here,” Duncan said.

They clinked glasses. After taking a sip of wine, Megan noticed a raven sitting nearby on the grass, watching them attentively. Glenn followed her friend's gaze and said, “It's staring at us so strangely; it's probably hungry."