Nessletter - No 079 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: NESSLETTER
Issue: NO 79
Date: December 1986
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0264-7001
Country: UK
Language: English

Sightings

This section details several recent reports of anomalous phenomena, primarily focusing on the Loch Ness Monster and other potential sightings.

Lamb Sighting

On Wednesday, November 12th, 1986, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Mr. and Mrs. Lamb, residents near Whitebridge, reported seeing an object resembling a flat rock protruding from the still surface of Loch Ness near Urquhart Castle. They observed it for about five minutes before needing to leave for an appointment in Inverness. They did not have binoculars or a camera with them and wondered if other readers had reported similar sightings.

Norrie Macleod's Potential Picture

The Highland News, in its issue for the week ending November 22nd, 1986, reported on a close encounter by professional freelance photographer Norrie Macleod. While in Dores to photograph a small antique vase, Macleod fitted a special close-up lens. As he prepared to focus, he noticed movement in the loch about 50 yards away. He described seeing a "large dark shape sink beneath the surface with a sort of sucking sound." The rest of the loch was calm, and he noted that waves from the disturbance lapped the shore. Macleod, who previously did not believe in the Loch Ness Monster due to a lack of convincing photographic evidence, now claims that if he had had more time, he could have captured an unquestionable photograph. The author notes that he has written to these witnesses but has not yet received replies.

Sceptical Witness Account

The author mentions receiving a brief, anonymous note from another Loch Ness resident who wished to remain private. This witness, known to the author for many years and previously a skeptical but interested observer of the phenomenon, stated, "I've seen it at last, no mistake." The author considers this a significant report due to the witness's typically cautious nature.

Skeldon Family Sighting

In early October, Mrs. Jean Skeldon and her son, Ian, were visited by their son and daughter-in-law at their home in Dores. On the evening of October 8th, Jean and Ian took a stroll up the hill and observed something unusual in Dores Bay. From their vantage point, they saw a "brown shape, or shadow, or patch, or call it what you will" that was motionless in the water. The water was calm with only small ripples over the object. They estimated the 'thing' to be about 25 to 30 feet long and wider at one end than the other. Initially, they considered it might be a spillage or discharge from a shore-based source or a boat, but dismissed this as it would likely have disturbed the ripples more noticeably.

They watched for about five minutes from the hill, but the object did not move. They then went down to the shore but could only see it from the pavement in front of the gardens, not from the shoreline. On subsequent days, they could see nothing. They concluded it was a "one off" and were mystified, with Jean suggesting it might be the shadow of something deeper under the surface. Her son was inclined to think it was significant. The author offers a possible explanation: the outfall of the Dores sewage system, which at one time consisted of a pipe about 6 inches in diameter extending a few yards into the loch. He recalls seeing a yellowy-brown discharge in the water there. He suggests that the Skeldons' elevated position and specific lighting conditions might have allowed them to see the shallow loch bottom, which would have been obscured when they moved closer to the water.

Cumbernauld Nessie

This section discusses a Nessie photograph that emerged under unusual circumstances, referencing an article in Fortean Times number 46.

Tony (Doc) Shiels' Photographs

The story concerns Tony (Doc) Shiels' 1977 photographs. In early 1984, an acquaintance of Doc's, referred to as H, was in the Cumbernauld public library looking for Nessie books. H encountered a woman holding a booklet for a monster exhibition at Drumnadrochit, which featured one of Doc Shiels' pictures on its cover. H approached the woman, Mrs. McLachlan (or McLaughl), who claimed to have taken a Nessie picture in 1983 and agreed to show it to H.

The McLachlan Photograph (CUM-1)

Mrs. McLachlan stated she was on a cycling holiday in the Loch Ness area in mid-September 1983 with a Canon camera and zoom lens. She gave H a 35mm colour slide, which H then passed to Doc Shiels. The slide shows an expanse of water with small waves, a pole-like neck and head sloping left at a 50-degree angle. In the bottom left corner is a clump of leaves or a treetop. She said the photo was taken on a sunny afternoon from the shore below the A82 road, south of Achnahannet.

Comparison with Doc Shiels' ANS-2

Upon examining the slide, Doc Shiels was astonished by its resemblance to his own ANS-2 photograph. He initially suspected a clever fake, possibly a reversed or mirrored version of his picture. Doc's original ANS-2 colour slide was lost in the post. He wondered if someone had obtained the missing original and used it to create the 'Cumbernauld Nessie' image. The transparency, designated CUM-1, was sent to Colin Bord of the Fortean Picture Library for assessment. Colin copied it to black and white film, enlarged the detail, and printed it reversed and slightly rotated. The Fortean Times published these images, highlighting their striking similarity.

Similarities and Differences

Colin Bord listed seven similarities between CUM-1 and ANS-2: shape of head and neck, markings, musculature, colour, a notch in the base of the neck, and a roundish object at water-level. Five differences were noted: grain structure, wave structure, angle of neck to water, lighting direction (CUM lit from left, ANS from right), and throat colour (CUM's is paler). Colin found no evidence of cut-out/paste-up or double exposure.

Doc Shiels' Reaction

Doc Shiels agreed that the Cumbernauld Nessie is disturbingly similar to his ANS-2. Initially convinced it was an elaborate hoax to discredit him, he has reconsidered his stance after discussions with Colin Bord and others. Despite the suspicious coincidences and contradictions, he stated, "the thing may be genuine after all."

The 'Yah Boo Fooled You' Scheme

Doc Shiels deliberately avoided contacting the press and delayed publication due to his suspicions. He believed someone would eventually reveal it as a hoax. In early 1985, the Scottish 'Daily Record' was contacted about the slide's existence, and they approached the Bords, but the photograph was not released. Bob Rickard, editor of Fortean Times, encouraged Doc to allow publication, hoping it would either establish the photo's authenticity or draw out the perpetrators. The author personally finds the reversed CUM slide too similar to ANS-2 to be anything other than a fake based on ANS-2. He acknowledges that photographs of similar subjects will have similarities, but finds the exact match in mouth position and head/neck angle highly improbable.

Lough Leane Monster Photograph

Doc also mentioned receiving a black and white print of a monster from Lough Leane, Co. Kerry. The original was taken by Pat O'Talbot Kelly in August 1981. Doc is trying to obtain the original negative. Kelly lives in the States, and Doc recalls meeting him in Ireland in 1981. Doc expresses distrust towards Kelly but believes all evidence should be explained impartially.

Books

This section provides information on books and dealers related to anomalous phenomena.

Book Dealers

Brian Cannell recommended two second-hand book dealers:

• R. Norman: 3E Mountjoy Research Centre, Durham, DHI 3UR. Offers a computerized book search service and can obtain books from America.
• Jay Books: 1 Roull Grove, Edinburgh, EH12 7JP. Both dealers issue free catalogues.

Excalibur Books

Excalibur Books is a mail-order bookseller specializing in anomalous phenomena, including Arthurian legends, UFOs, ghosts, fairies, and legendary creatures. They sell new and second-hand books and pamphlets. Their address is Rivenoak, 15 Rockport Road, Craigavad, Holywood, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, BT18 ODD. Telephone: (02317) 7192.

'Monster Wrecks of Loch Ness and Lake Champlain'

Joe Zarzynski, author of 'Champ-Beyond The Legend', has released a new book titled 'Monster Wrecks of Loch Ness and Lake Champlain'. This limited edition book (3,000 copies) provides updated news on the scientific search for Nessie and Champ, and explores other mysteries from Loch Ness and Lake Champlain. It includes chapters on ship and aircraft wrecks, mini-monsters, megalithic sites, ghostly apparitions, and technology used at these locations. It features over 40 illustrations, photos, maps, a bibliography, end notes, and an index. It can be ordered from M-Z Information, P.O. Box 2129, Wilton, New York 12866, U.S.A. The price is $8.95 per book, plus $1.00 for shipping (add $0.63 for NYS sales tax). Foreign orders add $2.50 for shipping.

Llewellyn New Times

The author received the current copy of Llewellyn New Times, a magazine/catalogue from Llewellyn Publications, described as America's oldest publishers of New Age Sciences. It covers diverse subjects such as astrology, earth magic, metaphysics, healing, and divinations. Details can be obtained from Llewellyn Publications, P.O. Box 64383-E, St. Paul, MN 55164, U.S.A.

Bigfoot Items

• 'The Bigfoot Directory': By Danny Perez, this is described as a 'Who's Who' in Bigfoot Studies, presenting the first international listing of people associated with the phenomenon up to 1984. It costs $6.00 from Danny Perez, 10926 Milano Avenue, Norwalk, California 90650, U.S.A.
• 'The Sasquatch and Other Unknown Hominoids': Edited by Vladimir Markotic with associate editor Grover Krantz, this book features over twenty contributors who are specialists in unknown hominoids. It covers anthropology, primatology, folklore, and religion, with chapters on recent unknown hominoid reports from various regions (Soviet Union, Australia, Caucasus, China, North America), biological and psychological aspects of Sasquatches, and analysis of the Patterson-Gimlin film. It is available from Western Publishers, P.O. Box 30193, Station B, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for $12.00 (U.S.) plus $1.00 shipping.

Ulrich Magin's Research

Ulrich Magin, who publishes the Bilk magazine, is researching an alleged seamonster sighting.

Forstner's 'U28' Sighting (1915)

Magin believes a story about a seamonster seen by Forstner from the submarine 'U28' on July 30th, 1915, after sinking the 'Iberian', is a hoax. Forstner's account lacked a precise location, with sources mentioning "off the west coast of France" or "north Atlantic." Magin found a German children's book from the 1970s that specified the location as 'Fastnet Rock, Ireland.' Researching the 'Cork County Eagle' for 1915, Magin found a report about the 'Iberian' sinking near Fastnet Rock but no mention of a monster. The 'U28' surfaced and towed survivors to Queenstown (now Cobh). Magin questions why Forstner did not mention a monster to the crew, and why survivors who witnessed the sinking did not report seeing one. He notes that on August 14th, the same paper printed a local seamonster story, suggesting the more sensational Forstner sighting would have been reported if true. The August 14th report was later identified as a barracuda. Magin suspects Forstner deliberately obscured his true position in 1933 to hide the truth.

Collection of Monster Reports

Ulrich Magin has collected approximately 150 'new' monster reports from 1933/1934, originating from locations worldwide, including Ireland, England, Scotland, Turkey, China, South Africa, the Pacific Ocean, France, Australia, and New Zealand. He encourages members to check their local papers.

Criticism of Campbell's Book

Magin read Campbell's book and found it good but containing many mistakes. He cites an example from page 56 where a 'newspaper report' of a monster was explained as a dead horse, potentially related to the Taylor film. Magin points out that neither the Inverness Courier nor the Northern Chronicle carried such a report, and if Burton cannot produce it, Magin suspects it was fabricated.

Personal Notices and Subscriptions

• Valerie Smith is seeking companions for a springtime trip to Loch Ness. Contact her at Flat 8 Riverside Court, Caversham, Reading, Berks. RG4 8AC.
• Readers are invited to send news and views to the author at Huntshieldford, St. Johns Chapel, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham. DL13 1RQ.
• Subscription costs are $7.00 for the U.S.A. and £2.50 for the U.K.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are eyewitness accounts of unexplained phenomena, particularly aquatic mysteries like the Loch Ness Monster, and the investigation into photographic evidence, including potential hoaxes and genuine sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various reports and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also critically examining the evidence and offering potential explanations or identifying inconsistencies. The publication also serves as a resource for researchers by listing relevant books and dealers in the field of anomalous phenomena.