Nessletter - No 018 - 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: No. 18
Date: October 1976
Publisher: Ness Information Service

This issue of the Nessletter, published in October 1976, focuses on various reports and sightings related to aquatic mysteries and cryptids, primarily centered around Loch Ness and its surrounding areas, but also extending to ancient history and other global phenomena.

Sightings

October 11th, 1976 - Castle Urquhart

Two visitors from Liverpool, Mr. B. Cosens and Mr. A. Hand, reported a remarkable sighting near Castle Urquhart. While observing Loch Ness, they witnessed a motorboat approaching at speed. As the boat circled, a disturbance occurred, and a long black object emerged from the water, heading towards the opposite shore. Mr. Hand, using binoculars, described it as a live creature with three humps, estimated to be over thirty feet long, moving at the same speed as the boat. The object gradually submerged, leaving a wake. A group of children playing nearby also reported seeing something.

*(Editor's note: The presence of the motorboat raises a slight doubt, and the editor wishes to speak to the boat's occupants.)*

1963 - South Shore of Loch Ness

Edward Doylerush, F.R.A.S., reported an incident from his holiday in the Highlands in 1963. While stopped near the village of Dores, he was called back to the car and observed an object on the other side of the loch. Using binoculars, he saw a hump about three feet out of the water, dark brown in color, moving westwards. It did not 'rotate' like a marine animal but subsided, leaving a long wake, suggesting it was traveling just below the surface. The observation occurred at 12:20 p.m. This report was passed on by Tim Dinsdale, who noted it as a very short interval between arriving at the loch and the sighting.

1930 - Inverness Firth

This report, originating from a January 1976 'Scottish Field' article, details an experience from June 1930 by M. Shand, who was 78 years old at the time of writing. While swimming in the Inverness Firth near a place called the Hangman, Shand encountered a creature. He initially mistook it for an otter but then observed it was about a quarter of a mile away. Upon closer inspection, he described it as resembling a young deer with two small projections on its head, a wrinkled, flat, horrible face like tanned leather, long slit eyes, a long black hairy back, and about two feet of green belly. The creature appeared startled and moved away at a terrific speed. Shand is convinced there is a connection between this experience in the Firth and the Loch Ness monster.

*(Editor's note: Mr. Shand's description of a 'young deer' and 'two feet of green belly' does not suggest a very large creature, but it was definitively strange. The editor thanks Mr. Shand for the account.)*

September - Urquhart Bay

A sighting was reported in Urquhart Bay in early September by people from Jersey. However, no further details are available, and the editor hopes to include more information if the individuals are traced.

Press and Journal Reports

Two cuttings from the Press and Journal are included:

1. August 25th: Rev. John MacNaughton, his wife, daughter Trina, and an aunt reported seeing four humps in Loch Ness when driving from Aberdeen to Skye. Trina described them as looking like tyres with only the tops showing, and the head was snake-like. Trina attempted to take pictures but forgot to remove the lens cap for the first two shots.
2. August: Brian and Luba Green reported a sighting near Foyers. Their car's windscreen shattered, and while on the bank, Mrs. Hamer (Brian's mother) saw an object in the loch. Brian described it as long with three or four black humps, almost in the middle of the loch. He managed to film a 30-second sequence with his 8mm cine camera, showing a shape with a definite undulation movement. The Greens plan to have the film examined.

*(Editor's note: This episode highlights the difficulty in obtaining convincing results without proper equipment and processes.)*

Switzerland - 'Nessie-like' Monster Hoax

Reports from Lake Uri concerning a 'Nessie-like' monster have been revealed as a hoax. The object was a 50-foot long inflatable construction with floats and flippers, built for a television program.

Seals

Several reports of 'strange' objects seen in the River Ness were attributed to seals in 1976. Normally seals are seen fishing in the tidal stretch, but due to scarce salmon, a seal was observed as far up as the Mill Stream pool. There was also some talk of a seal in Loch Ness itself.

Runestones and Sea Serpents

Mr. Ramsay shared an interesting letter regarding Cyrus H. Gordon's book "Riddles in History." The letter discusses three small stones with carvings, found on the east coast of the USA at Sprit Pond, dating from 1123 A.D. These stones are believed to indicate the settlement of Hop in Vinland by Norse men. Notably, one Runestone depicts a 'serpent (or eel)' which, according to 'monster-lore' experts, is a sea-monster with a classic small head on an elongated neck and humps. Mr. Ramsay questions whether early Norse explorers of Vinland encountered sea-serpents and included them in their depictions of local flora and fauna. The location of Hop in Vinland is on the eastern seaboard of the USA, an area with many reported sea-serpent sightings in the early 1800s.

Loch Ness: October News

Tim Dinsdale visited Loch Ness for shore watching in early October. Unfortunately, he fell ill with gastric flu, and the weather was poor, causing the Academy boat 'Hunter' to be blown across the loch. The boat was recovered with minimal damage. Dinsdale also observed a 'hump' at half a mile, which turned out to be an oil drum. Charlie Wyckoff is expected to return in November to prepare the Academy raft equipment for winter.

More Book News

Several books related to aquatic mysteries are mentioned:

• The Monster of Loch Ness by Roy P. Mackal: A detailed analytical tome, available in hardback and paperback.
• The Leviathans by Tim Dinsdale: A revised and updated edition covering water-monster sightings worldwide.
• Loch Ness Monster and The Story of the Loch Ness Monster (juvenile) by Tim Dinsdale: Updated editions of books on the Loch Ness and Morar animals.

Odds and Ends

• Loch Ness Tourist Facilities: Plans have been approved under the Governments Jobs Creation Scheme for additional tourist facilities at Loch Ness, including access paths, information boards, and picnic site clearance.
• Australia - 'Yowie' Report: Rex Gilroy, director of the Mount York Natural History Museum, reports on the 'Yowie,' an Aboriginal word for 'great hairy man.' Sightings date back thousands of years. Recent news includes the discovery of strange, three-toed footprints in the snow near Kiandra, attributed to the Yowie, described as about 8 feet tall, covered in dark hair, and vegetarian.
• Book Collection for Sale: Vicki Judah is selling a collection of monster books and ephemera, including L.N.I. reports and Loch Morar surveys. Interested parties should contact her directly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Nessletter consistently explores reports of unexplained phenomena, particularly those related to the Loch Ness Monster, but also broadens its scope to include other cryptids, ancient mysteries, and even potential hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and eyewitness testimonies while occasionally offering cautious commentary or noting potential doubts (as seen in the editor's notes regarding the 1976 Castle Urquhart sighting and the 1930 Inverness Firth encounter). The publication aims to gather and disseminate information on these subjects, encouraging reader participation and providing updates on research and related publications. There's a clear interest in connecting historical accounts, such as the Runestones, with modern sightings, suggesting a belief in the possibility of long-standing, undiscovered creatures or phenomena.