Nessletter - No 089 - 1988

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NessInformation Service Newsletter, number 289, dated August 1988, focuses on holiday experiences at Loch Ness and ongoing research activities. The cover headline is 'Holidays '88', and the ISSN is 264-7001.

Holiday at Loch Ness

The author, R. R. Hepple, details his holiday at Loch Ness from Saturday, July 23rd, to Sunday, July 31st, 1988, with his wife Doris, daughter Heather, and sister-in-law Audrey. He notes that the country had experienced a very wet July, the wettest since 1869, and the loch level was unusually high. The weather was characterized by heavy rain and strong winds, with gusts up to 70 miles per hour recorded in the Inverness area. Despite the challenging conditions, the author managed some canoeing and photography, though he prefers calm weather for these activities.

He visited the Foyers Hotel, a known base for 'monster hunters' and a place where Nessletters are available to guests. He also called on the Loch Ness Project headquarters at the Clansman Hotel.

Loch Ness Project and the Simpson Echo

David Martin from the Loch Ness Project provided an update on their work. The project is utilizing the Norwegian firm Simrad Subsea's vessel, the Simpson Echo. This substantial boat (90 tonne, 80 feet long) is equipped with echo sounding/sonar units, a side scan sonar towfish, and a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). The Simpson Echo was based at Fort Augustus for approximately eight weeks during July and August for demonstration purposes and for the Project's work. It features an Artemis Positioning System for maintaining precise station.

A CBS TV film crew, including Selina Scott, was also present on the loch, spending a day on board the Simpson Echo and in the surrounding area.

David Martin mentioned that sonar sweeps were being conducted to study the seiche effect in the loch, a phenomenon previously studied by the National Institute of Oceanography in the 1970s using thermistors. The seiche effect involves the movement of a warmer surface layer of water due to wind, causing it to 'heap' at one end of the loch and then oscillate back.

The 'Gargoyle Head' Photograph and the Tree Stump

The article delves into the controversial 1975 photographs, particularly the 'Gargoyle Head' image. The author had the opportunity to examine the tree stump recovered by the Loch Ness Project in 1987 from Urquhart Bay. This stump, described as craggy and about two and a half feet high, was found in about 25 feet of water. The author explains how the AAS (Academy of Applied Science) might have obtained the photograph using a ladder-like framework to mount a camera and strobe light, designed to avoid reflection from suspended peat particles. The framework was suspended from the boat 'Hunter'.

When shown a slide taken under controlled conditions, the author found the texture, colour, and shapes to be very similar to the 'Gargoyle Head' photo, leading him to conclude that the stump itself is not important, but the similarity of the photos is significant. He argues that the circumstances under which the 1975 photograph was taken, with the stump within possible range of a suspended camera on a swinging boat, cast significant doubt on the 'Gargoyle Head' interpretation as valid evidence.

He also discusses Professor Roy Mackal's interpretation of another image as showing "the upper third of the body of an animal, including an elongated head-neck and two anterior appendages." The article implies this interpretation is also questionable given the findings about the tree stump.

Other Reports and Sightings

Whales

Two reports concerning whales are included:

• Beluga Whale: On May 13th, 1988, Gordon and George Skinner reported seeing an extremely rare Beluga or White Whale in the Cromarty Firth. The whale was described as pure white, 14 feet long, with no dorsal fin but a visible tail. It was seen taking air at the surface.
• Bottle-nosed Whale: In mid-August, a 21-foot female bottle-nosed whale was found stranded and died in the Beauly Firth near Kirkhill. As it was under 25 feet, it was the council's responsibility to bury it.

Andreas Trottmann's Correspondence

Andreas Trottmann wrote to correct points related to a previous sighting report (NIS 86). He clarified that a witness may have 'most probably' slammed a car door and noted that the shore in that area is quite steep. He emphasized that he reports sightings as told by witnesses without personal commentary, but agrees it is important to point out negative aspects of any strange occurrences.

Andreas was at Loch Ness from May 10th to 21st conducting surface camera watches and planned to return in October with sonar equipment.

Odd Ends

• Book Distributors: Information is provided for the British distributors of Henry Bauer's book, 'The Enigma of Loch Ness'.
• Richard Frere's Book: A new book, 'Loch Ness' by Richard Frere, was announced for publication in September 1988 by John Murray, priced at £12.95.
• Jayne Mitchell: A correspondent from Manchester, Jayne Mitchell, spent a few days at the loch in early July with new camera equipment but encountered midges instead of Nessie.

Loch Ness Project Update

Further news from the Loch Ness Project indicates that Adrian's paper presented at the Edinburgh Symposium, summarizing their work, will be published in a special edition of 'Scottish Naturalist' to celebrate the Society for Natural History's 100th anniversary. This season, the Project has conducted fish counts and found a surprisingly large char population. They also re-examined tethered targets from Operation Deepscan and found debris on ropes, including what appeared to be instrumentation.

Side Scan Sonar and ROV Investigations

The side scan sonar was used to investigate areas on the loch floor with different textures. These were identified as patches of clinker, possibly from old paddle steamers cleaning their fireboxes, or from mechanical dumping. Gas rising from vegetable debris was also investigated in shallow bays and off Fort Augustus at a depth of 100 meters.

The article notes that the current season's work involved fewer Project members, but Adrian believes they have a strong pool of expertise for future expeditions. He hopes for more comfortable accommodation to improve expedition conditions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter maintains a critical and evidence-based approach to Loch Ness phenomena. While acknowledging the enduring mystery and the desire for exciting explanations, the editorial stance emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and the presentation of facts, even if they are less sensational. The article on the 'Gargoyle Head' photograph exemplifies this, debunking a popular image based on new evidence. The publication also serves as a platform for members to share their experiences and research, fostering a community of 'loch watchers'. The recurring theme is the ongoing effort to understand the mysteries of Loch Ness through scientific research, technological application, and careful observation, while remaining skeptical of unsubstantiated claims.