Nessletter - No 036 - 1979

Magazine Overview

Title: Ness Information Service Nessletter
Issue: No. 36
Date: October 1979
Publisher: Ness Information Service
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of the Nessletter focuses on ongoing investigations and sightings related to cryptids, primarily the Loch Ness Monster, but also extending to Bigfoot, the Yeti, and other unexplained phenomena worldwide. It includes a call for participation in a survey, personal accounts of travel and encounters, and detailed eyewitness reports.

Survey on Loch Ness Monster Enthusiasts

Roger Grimshaw and Paul Lester, authors of the pamphlet 'The Meaning of The Loch Ness Monster', are conducting a survey to understand the social background and motivations of individuals interested in the monster. They are seeking participants from the Ness Information Service to complete a questionnaire. The results will be kept confidential and may be incorporated into a book the authors are writing, with a digest of findings to be published in a future Nessletter. Members are encouraged to support this project by writing to Paul Lester at the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, University of Birmingham.

Tony Healey's Global Monster Safari

Tony Healey, an Australian, embarked on a round-the-world 'monster safari' in April 1978. His journey included visiting Fiji, where he investigated the legend of the 'Leka', described as small, hairy, leprechaun-like beings. He then spent a year in North America, touring areas known for strange phenomena, including the Pacific Northwest (searching for Bigfoot), Florida (tracking the 'Skunk Ape'), and the Bahamas, where reports exist of large monkey-like creatures in a dangerous area known for smugglers and dope-runners. He also visited Canadian lakes, including Lake Okanagan. In April 1979, Tony traveled to Iceland to gather information on the 'Skrimsl' of the Lagarflot lake, but his visit coincided with Easter weekend, when many places were closed and public transport was limited, preventing him from reaching his destination. His travels then took him to Ireland before spending eight weeks in Scotland, dividing his time between Loch Ness and Loch Morar. He met many people involved in the Loch Ness search and also visited the author of this article.

Tony's plans extended to a ten-week trip to Nepal to work on the 'Yeti', accompanied by Ted Ernst Jr., vice president of the American Anthropological Research Foundation. He also intended to spend a month in Malaysia, working from Kuala Lumpur to gather information about creatures in the Tasek Bera swampy lake. Tony estimated that by his return to Australia in February 1980, he would have visited approximately 22 locations known for strange water creatures. He financed his extensive trip through hard work and forward planning, having worked two jobs for several years. While in Scotland, he lived and traveled in an old Ford 5cwt van, which was later sold.

Loch Morar Sighting: August 15th, 1979

While at Loch Morar, Tony Healey met Todd Martin of Nebraska. They were camped at the head of Tarbet bay when, around 11:30 a.m., they experienced a strange event. They observed a roughly oval area of uplifting, vibrating, disturbed water, about 6 to 7 feet across and 7 to 8 feet long, with splashes. This disturbance began to move slowly away from the bank at a fast walking pace for about 25 to 35 yards. Initially thought to be fish, the size suggested otherwise. Tony took pictures while observing what he believed to be 2 or 3 humps, about 12 inches long at the base and 6 inches high. The disturbance then submerged and reappeared further out, stopped moving, accelerated again, and finally disappeared about 200 to 300 yards away. The entire incident lasted about a minute. They later found the water depth where the disturbance was first seen to be 20 feet.

Sightings

Macfarlane, September 1977: Doug Macfarlane reported seeing a V wake on Loch Ness, followed by a round, black, shining head, similar to a seal's, with a nose or muzzle, which appeared to be looking in their direction. The head was about 110 yards away and 20 yards offshore. It was steady and then submerged without disturbance. He and his wife agreed the nearest animal's head they had seen was a large sea lion in a zoo.

'Rubia' Yacht, July 1979: Mr. J.O. Harwood reported that while on passage through the Caledonian Canal, an object described as 'something' crossed the yacht's bows. It appeared as tangled brown seaweed or matted hair, with a vertical undulation and a lift of 6-9 inches above the water, visible for 6-8 feet in length and 12-15 inches in width. It moved slowly from North to South. The object submerged and reappeared, eventually disappearing about a quarter of a mile offshore.

Mrs. Clark, Mrs MacLeod, August 1979: These ladies reported seeing a large disturbance on the surface of Loch Ness near Temple Pier. A large head on a snakelike neck appeared, dark in color, flat and parallel to the water. It was surprisingly close to the shore and headed into the bay before submerging like a submarine without a splash.

Acraman, August 1979: Roger Acraman, an 18-year-old student, observed a low-lying black hump in the distance at Loch Ness on August 6th. It was estimated to be 15 feet long and 3 feet out of the water. It moved further into the loch and was observed through binoculars.

McNish, September 1979: Mr. and Mrs. McNish observed two humps about 25 feet behind another cruiser. The humps, about 8 feet apart, changed course by 45 degrees. Mrs. McNish described them as darkish brown, about 15 inches high, with the texture of moist skin and a grey mottled effect. They appeared to merge into a wider shape under the surface as they submerged, passing under the McNish's boat. The entire episode lasted about a minute.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Nessletter consistently features reports of unexplained phenomena, particularly aquatic creatures in Scottish lochs, but also extends to land-based cryptids like Bigfoot and the Yeti. The publication encourages eyewitness accounts and participation in research, as evidenced by the survey call and the detailed presentation of multiple sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, documenting reported events and investigations without overt skepticism, aiming to compile information for potential future analysis and publication. The magazine also highlights the global nature of cryptozoological interest, with contributors and subjects traveling internationally to investigate legends and sightings.