Manufactured by Arrow Development and designed by Ron Toomer, it was the first roller coaster in the world to feature interlocking loops.

The roller coaster was opened within the park's Scottish hamlet, Heatherdowns, on June 2, 1978, and relates to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.

In addition to the interlocking loops, located over one of the park's water features, the design includes a helix tunnel, two lift hills, and a 114.2 ft (34.8 m) drop.

[13] Construction of the roller coaster was conducted during the winter months, which slowed progress,[12] and was kept relatively hidden to build public anticipation.

The park's general manager, John Roberts, touted the roller coaster as being the fastest and tallest, and having the steepest drop in the world.

The eight people represented to take on the roller coaster were athletes in American football, NASCAR racing, ice hockey, and stunt personnel.

[23] Following a month of rumors in September 2023, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced the Loch Ness Monster would undertake a renovation for the 2024 season.

[26] It then makes a sharp right turnaround, passing a boat shack with an old ride vehicle, and starts its climb up the 130 ft (40 m) first lift hill.

[15][28] The train climbs a large upward hill and turns left before it briefly ascends, then drops into the first of the two interlocking vertical loops.

[26] After completing the loop, the train passes by a statue of the Loch Ness Monster appearing to lunge at riders as it rises up into the final brake run, before returning to the station.

[15][29] The roller coaster's namesake comes from the fabled creature of the Loch Ness Monster, appropriately situated in the Scotland area of the park.

[7] The queue area of the roller coaster features items of an expedition in search of the Loch Ness Monster.

[32] The Loch Ness Monster is a Custom Looping Coaster model made by Arrow Development and designed by Ron Toomer.

The Loch Ness Monster, compared to contemporary roller coasters, had its steel framework welded together instead of bolted.

[15][30] During construction, a section of track leading from the bottom of the second loop to the brake run before the station was incorrectly formed, bending left, instead of right.

[28] An 11-year-old girl fell into a coma soon after riding the Loch Ness Monster on August 3, 1981, due to a pre-existing medical condition.

[39] A train carrying 25 passengers hit a downed tree on the roller coaster's track, sending 5 people to the hospital on June 13, 1989.

[41] In June 1992, 2 riders claimed the special misting water effect at the ride's tunnel entrance was caustic and temporarily blinding, causing emotional distress.

A park public relations manager testified the mist sprayed only water and had been subsequently removed, independent of the suit, for unknown reasons.

[45][46] A writer for The State, Dan Perry, juxtaposed the first drop to the feeling of a "free fall off a 13-story building" and the sudden acceleration with fear.

[52][53] The initial Golden Ticket Awards in 1998 placed the Loch Ness Monster as the 15th best steel roller coaster, tied with Taz's Texas Tornado at Six Flags AstroWorld.