Nessletter - No 003 - May 1974

Magazine Overview

Title: Ness Information Service Nessletter
Issue: No.3
Date: May 1974
Publisher: Ness Information Service
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of the Nessletter provides a roundup of recent news and events related to Loch Ness, covering sightings, research, local developments, and recreational activities.

Loch Ness in the News

The issue begins by detailing recent media coverage of Loch Ness. The Yorkshire Post reported on an exorcism performed by Dr. J. Omand, which also brought UFOs into the mystery. Swedish researcher Jan Que-Sundberg reported seeing a grey cigar-shaped object land near the loch, with a crew of three disembarking before the craft departed. Following the exorcism, Mr. Holiday and another witness experienced paraphysical phenomena at Strone, including a loud crash and a whirling black cloud. The B.B.C. was also reported to be filming an episode for their children's program "Bonny" at Luss, using a mock Loch Ness Monster, indicating Nessie's increasing acceptance in popular culture.

Peter Costello, author of "In Search of Lake Monsters," received a good review in The Guardian. His book covers Loch Ness and Loch Morar, though it is noted that he mixes up the Loch Ness Investigation (L.N.I.) with another organization, which is seen as an irritating mistake but does not detract from the book's overall usefulness.

Radio 2 DJ Tony Blackburn featured a "Nessie spot" on his morning show, inviting listeners to share sightings, which were then broadcast. Some of these reports were described as new and interesting.

A Cousin for Nessie

A B.B.C. radio report on March 22nd mentioned a monster lurking in a lake in the Peruvian Andes. Local people described it as serpentine, emerging at night to prey on sheep and other animals, drawing a comparison to "The Lambton Worm."

Angling

Angling sport in the latter days of April showed improvement, with several large fish landed at the Fort Augustus end of Loch Ness. The largest was a 25-pounder salmon, with other significant catches including 16, 10, 13, and 12-pounders. Trout fishing also improved, with a 2.5-pound fish caught by Mr. Joe Murray. A concerning issue noted was a salmon caught near Foyers that had U.D.N. disease, despite having sea lice, which indicates it was a fresh run fish. The River Ness saw the introduction of 13,000 sea trout fry in the first week of April, followed by 45,000 young salmon a week later, continuing a restocking effort from the previous year.

Loch Ness Swim

The Findus Loch Ness challenge swim took place on April 26th. Teams from Queen Margaret's College, Edinburgh, Dunfermlin College of Physical Education, Cramond, Edinburgh, and Dundee University participated. Each team consisted of six members, with individuals spending about half an hour in the water. The event was sponsored by Cancer Research, aiming to break the previous year's record of 13 hours. The outcome was not yet available.

Foyers' Marina

At a meeting on April 9th, the Inverness County Council Development Study Group, chaired by Lord Lovat, supported a proposal for a marina near the Hydro-Electric Board's new pumping scheme at Foyers. Local councillor Mr. Laurence Hasson stated that the village angling club had prepared plans. The property company that had bought most of the area for a "holiday village" project had abandoned the idea and sold the houses, increasing dues to locals by 50%. Lord Lovat agreed that the committee should support development moves, believing Foyers had been unfairly treated in the past.

Mr. Brian Davenport, British Waterways Board Engineer (Scotland), predicted that pleasure cruising on the Caledonian Canal would reach saturation point in about three years and stressed the need for the Board to be consulted on marina planning. He also provided an update on Scott II, the Board's pleasure steamer, which carried 15,000 passengers last year (80% capacity). Attempts to lengthen the vessel had failed, possibly necessitating a larger vessel.

Monster Hunter News

Bob Rines and the Academy Team planned to resume underwater work in Urquhart Bay from mid-June, using improved equipment. Ivor Newby offered support with his new boat 'Kelpie II', and Tim Dinsdale would assist the Academy team after drifting and watching near Fort Augustus in his boat 'Water Horse'.

Another underwater attempt was being made by Dick Raynor of L.N.I., who was assembling an underwater camera using a hard helmet from a diver's suit.

Nick Witchell, who had spent considerable time watching from Strone, was expected back, though his time might be limited due to his new role editing the Leeds city's student newspaper. Paul Covell, an N.I.S. member working at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, hoped to spend spare weekends at Loch Ness. The author also planned holidays at the Loch in early August.

Sightings

A significant sighting was reported by Mr. Richard Jenkyns from his property at 'Point Clair' on Saturday, November 10th, around 11:45 AM. Despite stormy weather and a strong northwest wind, large rollers were observed. Jenkyns described seeing a fish-like object emerge slowly and steadily from the water, about 18 inches above the surface, then rising another two feet. It paused, appeared to be leaning forward, and then moved slowly parallel to the shore, sinking from the base upwards. It moved about forty yards before sinking out of sight. Jenkyns described the object as tube-shaped, about 9 inches in diameter, with a large mouth and a small, pitch-black eye or blowhole. He later found a 10lb salmon with a large wound on its side near the jetty, wondering if the creature had attacked it.

Tim Dinsdale reported a "big 3 humper" sighting near Johnnies Point about a month prior. Witnesses (a man, wife, and their eleven-year-old daughter) described the Beast breaking surface close to them and moving off at great speed, creating a wave. The family was shaken and retreated to their car, with the girl sustaining a scalp wound.

Young Ian McKenzie reported a "telegraph pole" neck sighting in the same area. He had previously seen two humps in May 1973 and is now a "confirmed Monster hunter."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently highlights the ongoing interest in the Loch Ness Monster, with frequent mentions in the news and media. There's a clear effort to document sightings and research efforts, including those by prominent figures like Bob Rines and Tim Dinsdale. The publication also touches upon related phenomena like UFOs and paraphysical events, suggesting a broad interest in unexplained occurrences around the loch. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent reporting and documentation, presenting various accounts and research updates without overt skepticism or sensationalism, while also acknowledging potential inaccuracies in published works. The inclusion of angling reports and local development news provides a broader context to life around Loch Ness.