NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER
Issue: 111
Date: June 1992 (with a Jan/93 update)
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0264-7001

This issue of the NESSLETTER focuses on "SIGHTING REPORTS," presenting a collection of eyewitness accounts and related phenomena, primarily concerning Loch Ness. The editor notes that reports are presented for members to draw their own conclusions, though occasional personal comments are included.

Sighting Reports

The newsletter details several recent sightings:

Nessie Photograph and Video

On August 12th, 1992, the Daily Mail published a photograph purported to be of Nessie. The editor notes the newspaper warned it was the 'silly season' and the photocopy lacked clarity. The accompanying account described a 45-year-old man who camped overnight and saw a dark brown/blackish head and neck about 40 yards offshore. He took four shots with his camera before the creature submerged. Kodak and the RAF's Photographic laboratory examined the negatives and stated they were genuine photographs of something, not tampered with.

A week later, a piece of amateur video footage, reportedly taken near Urquhart Bay, was shown on television. Peter Meadows, a senior zoology lecturer at Glasgow University, described it as the best bit of film he had seen, appearing to show something alive and not faked. However, he also stated that Nessie would need to be caught to prove its existence.

School Children's Sighting

On September 18th, a group of children from Glenurquhart were returning from a school swimming lesson when they reported seeing four humps in the water between Abriachan and the Clansman. Two pupils at the front of the bus thought they saw a head and neck moving through the water. The teacher initially hesitated to report it but later heard that members of a coach party had also had a similar sighting that day.

Clansman Hotel Humps

A few days later, a chef and others from the Clansman Hotel reported seeing humps in the loch from the hotel. No further details are provided.

Steve Feltham's Report

Steve Feltham received an account from Stuart Ross Macdonald, a 10-year-old boy, who claimed to have seen a back go down in the water on September 17th, 1992. The object was about 13 meters from the shore, described as a hump about a fifth of the length, with a smaller hump in front, and brown in colour. The boy's mother was present. The editor notes that youngsters can be imaginative but acknowledges the account was sent in.

Andrew Williams' Sighting

Andrew Williams, a member from North Wales, reported a sighting in July 1988 while holidaying at Loch Ness. Driving between Invermoriston and Fort Augustus, he noticed a movement not far from the shore. He was unable to get a good look at the time, but his girlfriend said she saw a neck and little body.

Michael Lazzari's Observation

Michael Lazzari reported an event on Saturday, October 3rd, 1992, around 7:30 PM, near Dores Bay. While the water was calm, a large turbulence appeared about 200-300 yards offshore, causing the boat to rock. No object was seen above the surface. Steve Feltham was nearby and was informed of the event.

Helen Cross's Analysis

Helen Cross, who had previously reported a sighting, offered further thoughts. She suggested that a large submerged object could affect the water's surface appearance, creating a 'shadow' effect by breaking the reflection of sunlight. She reiterated her feeling that her object was 'hump shaped,' flat at the bottom and rounded on top.

Tim Denesha's Experience

Tim Denesha, a member from Buffalo, NY, recounted an experience from late August 1969. While on a night drifting expedition in Urquhart Bay with a friend, Michael Raffanello, they experienced a sudden, substantial disturbance in the water. The boat rocked strongly, and large waves struck the sides. This was followed by a sound like water being expelled with air, repeated several times, with a rhythm like breathing. Visibility was poor due to fog, and the source seemed to be about 3-4 meters from the boat and above the water.

Mike's Sighting

Tim also mentioned that 'Mike' had a sighting similar to Andy's that summer, described as a rapid appearance and disappearance of a hump with considerable water disturbance, observed from an elevated site near the Youth Hostel.

Doug Macfarlane's Report

Doug Macfarlane sent word of a sighting by Jockie Thomson, a retired Forestry Commission worker. On November 30th, 1992, while cleaning a water tank behind Primrose Bay, Thomson saw a big dark shape about 200 meters out in the loch. He observed it for three minutes as it headed towards Fort Augustus. The object had a big, black round head visible all the time, and every 10 meters, it would raise itself about 4 feet out of the water. Thomson described it as having a thick, dark neck and being of great size. He was convinced it was not a deer or a large bird.

LNI Night Drifting

The newsletter recalls the LNI's 'night drifting' method from the late '60s. This involved using a biopsy dart attached to a crossbow and fishing line to collect tissue samples from creatures at the surface during the night when they were believed to be more active.

Sea Life Centre Proposal

In April 1992, a company applied for planning permission to build an exhibition and aquarium at Borlum, near Urquhart Bay. The initial proposal included an artificial island linked by an underwater walkway. However, due to concerns about environmental effects, the island feature was dropped, and the complex was to be moved back from the shore. A public meeting in Drumnadrochit revealed strong local opposition due to concerns about traffic, pollution, and the introduction of alien fish species. Ultimately, 136 voted against the proposal and 14 for. The company subsequently withdrew its plans and is now considering a site by Lake Windermere.

Editorial Notes and Updates

The editor apologizes for the delay in publishing the newsletter, explaining that he has been working underground in a fluorspar mine since November 30th, and the work is expected to continue. He expresses regret for the 'hiccup' in production and assures readers that their news and views are always welcome.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are eyewitness accounts of unexplained phenomena, primarily focusing on the Loch Ness Monster, and the analysis of potential evidence such as photographs and videos. The editor maintains a stance of presenting reports for members to interpret, while occasionally offering his own perspective, often cautioning against jumping to conclusions and emphasizing the need for careful investigation. There is also a clear interest in the scientific and investigative aspects, as seen in the discussion of photographic analysis and past research methods. The issue also highlights local community responses to proposed developments related to Loch Ness.