Nessletter - No 134 - 1999

Magazine Overview

Title: NESSLETTER
Issue: 134
Date: January 1999 (issue_date_raw: Januru'99)
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0204-7001
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of NESSLETTER, dated January 1999, covers holiday experiences from 1998, primarily focusing on activities and observations related to the Loch Ness Monster phenomenon. It details personal accounts, research efforts, and specific sighting reports.

Holidays '98: July 26th - August 1st

The author recounts his holiday in the Loch Ness area, starting on Sunday, July 26th, 1998, at the Old Pier in Abriachan. He describes setting up his motorcaravan and observing the loch, noting the wet weather and a large pool of water on the usual parking spot. He mentions his intention to capture useful photographs with his 35mm camera and 300mm lens. He also notes the absence of Steve Feltham, a known Nessie enthusiast.

On Monday morning, the author visited Dores and met with NIS members Richard Carter, Alastair and Sue Boyd. He had a brief conversation with Sue, who mentioned Alastair was resting due to ME. The author notes the increased activity of tourist boats in the bay near the marina. He then visited Drumnadrochit and Strone, having a chat with Alastair.

Tuesday saw the author back at the pier, observing rougher conditions on the loch. He mentions Richard Carter's ongoing study of the Tim Dinsdale film from April 23rd, 1960. Carter's research involves examining pictorial and written evidence, and he aims to reproduce the film. The author expresses skepticism about the film's subject, suggesting it might have been a boat rather than a creature.

Richard Carter proposed an attempt to reproduce the Dinsdale film. In May 1998, he visited the loch and, with the help of Dicky Raynor, ran a 16mm Bolex movie camera to film a boat on the loch, mimicking the path seen in Tim's film. The results were not as hoped, showing a boat crossing the loch and turning parallel to the far shore.

The author mentions being approached by a BBC Science mysteries programme for filming at Loch Ness, Norway, and Canada. He also notes that Dicky Raynor and Adrian Shine were planning another attempt to reproduce the Dinsdale film with a boat target. The cost of processing 16mm black and white movie film was also discussed.

Wet Weather and Observations: August 3rd - August 5th

Wednesday morning brought rain, but the author was able to watch from his van. Steve's van was also present at the Dores shore. The author decided to drive along the South shore, finding brilliant sunshine after Inverfarigaig. He visited the picnic site by the jetty at Lower Foyers, noting it was virtually deserted. He observed the loch traffic closer to the far shore, away from the usual tourist paths. The area around the Hydro Station and old Aluminium works appeared tranquil.

He spent an hour watching and roaming the area, noting that the Dinsdale film was taken not far away. He then returned to Dores, where Steve showed up. Steve had been using the time to work on his van, which had been stranded due to a lack of MOT. Steve mentioned he had not minded being stranded, finding the quiet time pleasant.

Steve also mentioned a resident in Dores who owned a microlight aircraft. The author found this exciting and urged Steve to take advantage of any opportunities to fly over the loch, recalling his own long-held belief that aerial observation could yield results.

Further Sightings and Research: August 7th - August 9th

Early Friday morning, the loch surface was calm but covered by complete cloud. Richard Carter visited, and later Steve arrived by inflatable, bringing enlargements from his 16mm 'Dinsdale' film. The author reiterated his belief that the Dinsdale film did not show a boat, but supported Richard's sincere research efforts and his pursuit of sighting reports.

Saturday morning was calm with complete cloud cover. Steve left the Dores shore. The author drove to Fort Augustus, visited the Abbey, and then went to the Canal pier where Steve was working on his van. Steve was fitting a new exhaust pipe. The author also mentions meeting Melanie and discussing Nessie.

Disappointment and Sighting Reports: August 9th - June 19th

The author expressed disappointment at missing Doug and Margaret Macfarlane, who had been visiting the loch. On Sunday morning, the loch was calm, but by 9:30 am, a breeze picked up. Richard Carter stayed for about an hour and a half, having contacted witnesses and obtained completed sighting report forms.

One report, published in the Courier, involved four young men (Mark, Adam Sutherland, and two brothers) who climbed 1000ft Dundearduil on June 17th, 1998, to photograph the sunrise. While descending, Adam Sutherland saw what he initially thought was a reflection of a sand bank. Using binoculars, he observed a brown-coloured hump sticking from the water, with a long oval shape below the surface and a tail extending to the left. The object was about 300 yards from the shore and drifted slowly for about 5 to 10 minutes, changing orientation and going deeper. The general shape was described as 'huge oval' or 'egg-shaped', and the color was light brown. The sighting lasted 45 minutes.

The author expresses skepticism about reports of underwater sightings, suggesting that reflections on the water can be misleading. However, he acknowledges the combination of factors that could lead to such observations.

Other Observations and News

Another report, from Richard, described a sighting on June 19th, 1998, where someone saw humps travelling from the stern of a boat on the loch. This was considered rare. Richard traced the lady concerned, Mrs Macintosh Palmer, who was aboard the 'Jacobite Queen' on a birthday party trip on June 19th, 1998. She observed an object approximately 40-50 feet long, black in color, which disappeared and reappeared. She used a Canon Video camera to capture footage. The author suggests a possible explanation for this sighting could be the wake of the boat, as they were leaving the castle and returning, potentially passing behind the boat on its return journey.

The newsletter concludes with a sad announcement of the death of Donnie Cameron, owner of West End Garage, on November 3rd, 1998, who was a good friend and involved in Nessie research. Subscription details are provided for R.R. Hepple, Huntshieldford.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are Nessie sightings, the research and investigation into the phenomenon, and the personal experiences of those involved. The author's stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, particularly regarding interpretations of visual evidence like the Dinsdale film, while still supporting the efforts of dedicated researchers. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and analyzing witness accounts and attempting to replicate conditions or events. The newsletter also touches upon the broader context of unexplained phenomena by mentioning the BBC's interest in filming at Loch Ness, Norway, and Canada, hinting at a potential connection to UFOs or other mysteries.