NESSLETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: NESSLETTER
Issue: 127
Date: February '95 (September '96)
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0204-7001

This issue of NESSLETTER, number 127, covers reports from members active at various lochs, primarily focusing on Loch Ness. The publication date is listed as February '95, with a secondary date of September '96, suggesting it might be a compilation or a delayed issue.

N.I.S AT THE LOCHSIDE

The main section, "N.I.S AT THE LOCHSIDE," presents several reports from members detailing their experiences and sightings.

Nick Molloy's Lochside Report (June '95)

Nick Molloy, along with a friend, visited the loch and spent four days there, including camping rough. They encountered an incident during their first night's camp. At approximately 3:30 AM, with the loch flat calm, something appeared about 30-40 yards offshore before diving without a trace. The photo taken was too dark to develop. Molloy commented that the sighting was "more likely a seal or otter than a small plesiosaur." He also enclosed a photocopy of a photo showing a wake left by a large submerged creature, which he believes could be a boat wake from a craft that passed five minutes before.

Colin White's Mystery Interest (December '95)

Colin White from Basildon, who has been interested in the Loch Ness mystery since the late '70s, visited the loch in June '95. He and his wife rented a cottage near Urquhart Castle. They enjoyed the calm conditions and the atmosphere, which boosted his enthusiasm. They had an interesting chat with Steve Feltham and also heard about a sighting reported by a local lady a few weeks earlier. Colin found the experience enjoyable and noted that everything seemed familiar from reading about it and seeing videos.

Brian James's Loch Ness Trip (April '95)

Brian James, with his wife and daughter, spent time at the Scaniport campsite on the Inverness to Drumnadrochit road, opposite Urquhart Castle. During two mornings, they observed the loch with amazing, non-stop sun. At 4:30 AM, the loch was full of cloud with dawn sun streaming through. James suggested that deep-water dwelling animals might have evolved great light sensitivity for catching prey in near darkness, and their reluctance to surface is due to painful high light intensity. He also proposed using infra-red light intensifiers to study the loch at night.

Loch Morar Visit

Following their Loch Ness visit, Brian James travelled to Loch Morar, expecting it to be isolated and peaceful. However, they found many houses being built and an influx of boats, suggesting it might become a flourishing marina. James found this somewhat depressing, as he regarded the Highlands as a place to escape. He also questioned the need for massive road building when a railway network already exists.

Adrian Smith's Submarine Dive (August '95)

Adrian Smith visited Loch Ness and took a dive in a submarine. During the dive, which went to a depth of 400-450 feet, visibility was poor. He described the experience as daunting, with the floor of the submarine offering a view of 400 feet of water beneath. The dive lasted about an hour, and while they did not see the monster or any fish, they observed plankton picked out by the lights. Smith then went to Wales, Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake).

Submarine Noises and Other Reports

Adrian Smith also reported hearing mysterious noises, described as "grunting and groaning," in the north plateau of Loch Ness for 20-30 minutes. These noises were also heard by surface communications personnel and had no identifiable source. Alan Whitfield, the Chief Pilot, stated that these noises were a mystery and had been heard on previous occasions. The submarine was not operating in Loch Ness that year, so no further investigation was possible.

Other Member Reports

• John Cooper visited Loch Ness for three days in late August '95 as a sightseer. He noted that the camping field was now restricted to small cars, with vans kept out by a height bar.
• Joan Dexter and her husband visited the loch and stayed at the Foyers Bay Hotel. They recommend the hotel and drove around the loch, stopping at vantage points.
• Richard Pheips of Sidcup spent a week at Loch Ness in November '95, experiencing good weather. He met Steve Feltham and had discussions about sightings.
• Tony Grice visited Loch Ness in December '95, staying at the Inchnacardoch Hotel Lodge Hotel. He witnessed a large object in the water, described as a "Kersplunk" noise followed by large waves, which he compared to Tim Dinsdale's 1960 pictures.
• Hayne Morris planned to be on a boat on Loch Ness for a week in late May to early June.
• James Kitwood stayed at Borlum Farm and watched the loch, filming with a Hitachi video-camera. He had an experience on a Monday where he saw something dark in the water and took film, which he compared to Tim Dinsdale's pictures. He also noted that the object's cross-section seemed to change during the film, giving the impression it was moving.

Historical Sightings and Theories

The newsletter also includes historical accounts and theories:

• A 19th-century diary entry mentioned a "sea-serpent" in Loch Morar.
• A similar case from 1919 involved Mrs Margaret Cameron's sister witnessing a large creature with a shiny skin, like an elephant's, with two short, round feet, near the water.
• The term "Water Horse" is mentioned in relation to warnings to children to stay away from the loch.

Loch Ness Exhibition Criticism

Joan Dexter expressed dissatisfaction with the "official" Loch Ness Exhibition at Drumnadrochit, feeling it was "solely a money making concern" rather than an educational or scientific promotion. She noted the high cost of postcards compared to other locations.

Wendy Dinsdale's Book Offer

Wendy Dinsdale, sorting through her late father Tim Dinsdale's office, found two boxes of his books. She is offering them for sale at cost plus postage, including "The Loch Ness Monster, Hardback: The Story of The Loch Ness Monster" and "Loch Ness Monster, Childrens Book."

Contact Information

The newsletter concludes with contact details for R.R.Hepple, the editor, and subscription rates for the UK and North America.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are eyewitness accounts of unexplained phenomena at Scottish lochs, particularly Loch Ness. There is a focus on detailed descriptions of sightings, attempts at identification, and the challenges of documenting such events. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging members to report their experiences, fostering a community of researchers, and maintaining an open mind towards the mysteries of the lochs. There is also a subtle critique of the commercialization of the Loch Ness phenomenon, with an emphasis on genuine investigation and learning.