Nessletter - No 140 - 2001

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER, number 140, dated July 2001, focuses on a variety of intriguing and sometimes bizarre events and observations related to Loch Ness. The cover headline, "SILLY SEASON," hints at the eclectic mix of reports, ranging from witchcraft and potential hoaxes to photographic evidence and proposed expeditions.

SILLY SEASON: Witchcraft and Expeditions

The issue opens with an account of Kevin Carylon, a high priest of the British Coven of White Witches, who was preparing to cast a spell at Loch Ness to protect the monster. He claimed that Swedish cryptozoologist Jan Sundberg posed the greatest threat to Nessie's existence. Carylon arrived at Loch Ness three days before the GUST team, who were expected for their '01 expedition. The GUST team, along with five film crews, were present. Carylon expressed his view that the media was more interested in the 'witchcraft angle' and stated he did not want 'jumped up nutters from Sweden' trying to turn Loch Ness into a Jurassic theme park. Carylon and thirty other witches had previously cast a spell in Sussex on April 8th, and the full spell was cast at Loch Ness on April 24th, involving incense, candles, and stones to ward off evil spirits, and a talisman placed in the loch for the creature's survival. The article notes Carylon's frugal lifestyle and his use of five mobile phones and a pager.

Witchcraft and Devil Worship

Following the witchcraft theme, the newsletter reports on the discovery of a possible devil worship altar on the Old Abriachan Pier in late October '01. Neil Borland and his partner Jeanette found a large triangular construction of stones with standing stones at the corners and bloodied feathers underneath. A large stone outside the triangle appeared to be a seat. The triangle's alignment was towards Boleskin House, the former home of Aleister Crowley. Neil and Jeanette, concerned as they use the area privately, destroyed the structure. The author questions the interpretation, suggesting it might have been a pentangle and that the alignment could have been towards other locations like Inverfarigaig or Fort Augustus, but acknowledges it was a disturbing find.

GUST Team Expedition and Sonar Contact

Jan Sundberg and his GUST team arrived on April 25th, stating that Carylon was getting in the way. Threats of legal action and offers to throw each other in the loch ensued, creating a media circus. The local tourist board was reportedly delighted with the publicity. The GUST team's 'Operation Cleansweep' involved using sonar and nets for ten days to trap a Nessie. A Discovery Channel crew was filming Sundberg's efforts. Despite using a trawl net described by Philip Bethge of 'Der Spiegel' as 'ridiculous,' they caught nothing. Sundberg remained convinced of an unknown animal in the loch but was disappointed by the lack of conclusive evidence. During the night of April 29th, while anchored off Temple Pier, a creature 5.4 metres long was detected by sonar, zigzagging across the screen, but vanished before it could be recorded. They also reported finding a trail on the loch bottom resembling a caterpillar track. The GUST team is investigating seven lakes globally for monster sightings. Sundberg was to go to Norway in August to investigate a sea serpent sighting.

The author critiques the GUST team's efforts, suggesting that a 24-hour shift system for the sonar equipment might have been beneficial and that claiming the sonar contact was a creature was speculation. The trawl net was deemed inadequate. The author speculates that the drive for publicity might be a motivating factor.

HOAX?

An incident involving Adrian Shine and two large Conger Eels (6 and 7 feet 5 inches) is presented as a potential hoax. Dave Turner and his partner Tracy encountered Adrian Shine and another man struggling to load the eels into bin-liners. Shine explained he suspected a hoax as the eels are sea creatures. Tony Harmsworth had alerted Shine to the eels. The author notes that the eels were later found to have Mackerel in their stomachs. The author suggests that the eels might have been thrown overboard by a trawler, and Adrian Shine's quick removal of them prevented further media speculation.

MORE SILLINESS: Yoji Nakamura's Expedition Proposal

An email from Yoji Nakamura of Tokyo, published on April 17th '01 in the Inverness Courier, proposed an expedition to Loch Ness to 'blast Nessie out of the loch' using a powerful sound weapon or depth charges. The proposal was kept secret due to potential reactions from animal rights organizations. The Courier editorial criticized the plan, highlighting its potential negative impact on Scotland's tourism industry. The author expresses skepticism about the threat, suggesting it might be a joke, but also notes the possibility of 'outrageous challenges' in Japanese television game shows. The author believes authorities would react swiftly to any attempts to bring explosives into the country.

PHOTOGRAPHS: James Gray's Encounter

The Mail on Sunday newspaper on May 27th '01 published four intriguing pictures from a sequence of five, taken by photographer James Gray. Gray, a 54-year-old semi-retired cameraman, was out in his fishing boat on Loch Ness when he saw a bizarre movement about 150 yards away. He observed a 'something' rising out of the water, estimated to be soon 6 feet high, with a long black neck, but no apparent head. It curled forward and disappeared. Gray, a non-believer in Nessie, was intrigued and captured the event on film. He is unsure if he has photographed the monster. The author analyzes the photographs, noting the object's shape, silhouette, and lack of apparent flexibility. He suggests the photos might be too good to be true from a moving boat and that the object might be closer than stated. He also raises the possibility of a hoax involving a 'pole-like' object rising from the water, similar to experiments conducted by Richard Carter and Adrian Shine. The author concludes that the photographed object was likely not Nessie and possibly not alive.

VIDEO: Robert Pollock's Observations

Robert Pollock, a newer NIS member, recounts his visits to Loch Ness. During a 2000 visit, while watching from the Foyers side, he initially thought he saw Nessie when a grey head rose from the surface, but it turned out to be a Grey Seal. He vividly remembers the thrill and fright of the moment. In July 2000, while camping at Abriachan, he filmed a grey or black object moving in the bay, described as pole-like. He notes that while the object is visible on the tape, it doesn't provide conclusive evidence of the creature. He also mentions Adrian Shine's work on Tim Dinsdale's film, with Shine believing Dinsdale inadvertently filmed a boat. Pollock and Shine differ on the interpretation of the footage.

Adrian Shine's Research on Natural Phenomena

Adrian Shine is described as working to find natural explanations for unexplained phenomena at Loch Ness. His latest work involves analyzing data on water currents, including 'Langmuir Circulations,' which are spiraling currents at the surface driven by the seiche effect. These currents can move against wind and wave direction, potentially explaining reports of objects moving unnaturally. Shine has also studied underwater video of eels exhibiting surprising behavior, standing up on their tails. The author found this behavior remarkable.

Other Encounters and Activities

The author mentions seeing Steve Feltham, who was busy with researchers from The Lonely Planet TV. He also met with Doug and Margaret Macfarlane, NIS members. Adrian Shine was working on various pieces of evidence, and Richard Carter was continuing his research. Dick Raynor had recently tested a camera at 230 metres depth, capable of reaching the loch floor. Researchers from LWTV were interviewing people for a program. The author concludes that despite not connecting with Nessie again, it was a good trip.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently explores the Loch Ness phenomenon through a lens of skepticism mixed with a genuine interest in unexplained events. The author frequently questions the validity of sightings and evidence, suggesting potential hoaxes, misidentifications, and natural explanations. There's a recurring theme of separating credible reports from sensationalism, with a focus on scientific investigation and analysis, even when acknowledging the allure of the mystery. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, valuing personal accounts and photographic/video evidence while maintaining a critical perspective. The newsletter also highlights the community of researchers and enthusiasts involved in the Loch Ness investigation, fostering a sense of shared endeavor.