Nessletter - No 135 - 1999

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER, number 135, dated July 1999, focuses on recent developments and ongoing investigations into the Loch Ness mystery. The cover highlights a "VIDEO" report, suggesting a significant visual piece of evidence. The newsletter, published by NESS INFORMATION SERVICE, carries the ISSN 0204-7001 and is priced at £2.75 for the UK and $10 for North America.

Video Evidence and Seal Behavior

The lead article discusses a piece of video footage taken in mid-September 1998 by Geoff Mitchinson, who was on a trip in Urquhart Bay. While checking his camera, he captured a few seconds of an object moving slowly in the water, leaving ripples, which he initially thought looked like the bow of a boat. Newspaper reports described it as an 'experienced Loch Ness Monster spotter' breakthrough, with Gary Campbell of the Loch Ness Monster Fan Club calling it "fantastic moving footage." However, initial interpretations varied, with some suggesting it looked like a seal. Dr. David Waugh of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland expressed high confidence it was a seal, with an otter as a secondary possibility. Neil Willis, a marine biologist from the Sea Life Centre at Tynemouth, also opined that it was undoubtedly a grey seal.

The newsletter then explores the behavior of seals in relation to Loch Ness sightings. It mentions a rare visitor, an Arctic Bearded Seal, on the North East coast and its characteristics. The author draws a parallel between the seal's ability to sink smoothly and disappear underwater, appearing to go straight down without obvious forward motion, and the reported 'unusual ability' of Loch Ness creatures to sink straight down. This behavior, observed through a telephoto lens, is suggested to be common to aquatic animals and could explain some sightings, though the author does not suggest all sightings are seals.

Abbey Closure and Heritage

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to the closure of the Fort Augustus Benedictine Abbey in November 1998, after 120 years. The Abbey, founded in 1876, was leased from the Lovat Estates. Over the years, the monks amassed a large library, with many volumes sold to Gaelic and theological colleges. An auction of other volumes raised £147,000. The Abbey had also run a boys' boarding school, which closed in 1993. In 1994, it opened as a Heritage and Tourist Centre, with attractions like monthly Highland Games. The monks had been adamant that the Abbey should not become a Loch Ness Monster Exhibition, though Tony Harmsworth, the bursar, did introduce a 'Monster feature'. The article recounts a personal experience of a sighting by Father Gregory Brusey in October 1971, describing a creature's neck above the water, which was presented with a 'sturgeon' slant. The decision to close was attributed to a lack of monastic monks, with only ten remaining, many elderly or in ill health. The property reverted to the Lovat Estates, and its closure is seen as a loss of amenities. The possibility of the Abbey becoming a campus for the University of the Highlands is mentioned.

Eyewitness Accounts and NIS Members

The newsletter features reports from several NIS members who visited Loch Ness. Peter Davenport reported an '82 hump' sighting. Roger Acraman and his wife visited Scotland and circled Loch Ness, but had no sightings. Dave Turner and his partner Tracy reported a sighting on April 23rd, 1999, near Dores, where Tracy, using binoculars, saw a large dark patch of water with a separate area that appeared to be an animate object moving slowly with limb-like shapes, not breaking the surface. Gordon Strang reported peculiar disturbances and what he believed was a seal sighting in mid-May 1999. James Kitwood also visited the loch.

Steve Feltham reports on recent activities, including flights over the loch in a micro-light, which allow for observation of the water volume in three dimensions. He notes a lack of good sightings this season, mentioning unsubstantiated accounts of an American tourist seeing a long-necked creature and a tourist from Wiltshire seeing a 'large black object' near Urquhart Castle. Steve also details a credible sighting on New Year's Eve 1998 by Lorien Cameron and Kevin Koss, who saw a hump shape reflecting silvery light, likened to an upturned boat, for 10-15 seconds.

Steve also visited the newly opened Loch Ness 2000 exhibition, which he found to be very good and informative, though he felt the eyewitness accounts of monster sightings could have been given more prominence. He also discusses an internet photograph, identifying it as a bird flying through the frame.

Book Review: 'Nessie, The Surgeon's Photograph Exposed'

In a postscript, the author discusses a book by David Martin and Alastair Boyd, "Nessie, The Surgeon's Photograph Exposed." The book, self-published after difficulty finding a publisher, is described as a gem that conclusively proves the 'Surgeon's Photograph' was a fake. However, the authors stress that this does not disprove the existence of something unusual in Loch Ness. The book is available by post from David Martin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing search for evidence of the Loch Ness Monster, the critical analysis of eyewitness accounts and photographic/video material, and the exploration of natural phenomena that might be mistaken for the creature. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation, seeking the truth through scientific observation and member reports, while acknowledging the complexities and occasional disappointments (like the seal identification). There is a clear emphasis on presenting factual accounts and expert opinions, even when they challenge popular beliefs. The newsletter also touches upon local history and environmental aspects related to Loch Ness, such as the closure of Fort Augustus Abbey and the behavior of local wildlife.