“Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, December 31, 1944” (pg 12)

Maddie, Hank, and Ellis attended a New Year’s party here to ring in 1945. This is where they drunkenly decided to go find the Loch Ness monster in order to prove themselves to their family and friends.

Today, you can visit the Rittenhouse Square in the City Center of Philadelphia. Have a picnic, take a walk and look at all the surrounding luxury apartments and homes, and admire the sculptures within the park. I know I’m super excited to see Paul Manship’s Duck Girl, a sculpture of a girl carrying a duck under her arm.

“Ellis directed the chauffeur to the Society Hill Hotel on Chestnut Street. On the surface it looked fine: the facade and public areas were up to par, but our suite was faded and shabby and had only one bedroom. However, it was what we could afford on Ellis’s reduce allowance.” (pg 34)

After getting kicked out of Ellis’ family’s luxurious home, Ellis and Maddie spent the night at the Society Hill Hotel on Chestnut street. In the bar downstairs, Hank shared news with Ellis and Maddie that he had gotten them all passage to Scotland via the SS Mallory, and they were to leave in three days.

If you’re feeling courageous, you can spend a night at the Society Hill Hotel and get a taste of what Ellis and Maddie experienced during their night there. They aren’t alone in their negativity towards the hotel. Take a look at the reviews and do with it what you will. Head downstairs to the Monkey Bar and Restaurant , where Ellis and Maddie received the news from Hank, and try out some drinks… Just keep in mind that some folks in the reviews may or may not have mentioned finding bugs in their drinks… Have fun 🙂

“A businessman (university-educated, the reporter was careful to point out) and his wife were motoring along the newly built A82 on the north side of Loch Ness when they spotted a whale-size animal thrashing in otherwise perfectly calm water.” (pg 31)

The Loch Ness, home to the fixations of many curious minds, especially those of Ellis and Hank, who just needed to find the Loch Ness monster to prove themselves to their family and friends. It was so important to them that they hopped on board the SS Malory to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of WW2. After they “safely” made it across, Hank and Ellis began their journey to find the Loch Ness monster. Read the book to find out for yourself if they find it.

Take a trip to the Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands and see if you can spot the Loch Ness monster yourself. If you can’t make it all the way there, check out this live webcam, which is something I bet Ellis and Hank wished they had access to. If you can visit, take a ride on The Beastie Boats, an eighty-minute speed boat tour of the Loch to see all the beautiful scenery and hear some stories about the elusive Loch Ness monster.

“We walked a few hundred yards north to the Temple Pier, a tiny local dock, and set out in a battered rowboat. The plan was to find an accessible piece of land near Urquhart Castle and start surveillance.” (pg 119)

Urquhart Castle is where Ellis and Hank usually set up post to keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster. Ellis mentioned that the castle sat on the site of an ancient fort allegedly tied to the first monster sighting ever recorded. This location ended up being where many life changing moments happened for Angus, Maddie and Ellis.

If you’re in the Scottish Highlands, definitely take the time to visit this beautiful Urquhart Castle on the shore of the Loch Ness. For £12 you can explore this castle, peer into an old prison cell and see a trebuchet. Maybe you’ll also spot the Loch Ness Monster while you’re there. Tell it I say hi.

“They trained at Achnacarry Castle, by then known as Castle Commando, under the fifteenth Lord Lovat, who based his techniques on the small commando units that had impressed his father during the Boer War.” (pg 244)

Achnacarry Castle, or Castle Commando, was where Angus trained for Winston Churchill’s “Dirty Tricks Brigade” during WW2. He was invited to train there because he proved his bravery during the Battle of Dunkirk.

Today, you can stay the Achnacarry Castle, since it has been transformed into a holiday estate. You can come here to relax or enjoy some outdoor activities all while learning about the rich history that has taken place here.