Nessletter - No 147 - 2004

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER, number 147, dated July 2004, focuses on personal holiday experiences at Loch Ness in July 2003, alongside discussions of cryptozoological theories and scientific findings related to the loch.

Holiday Experiences at Loch Ness (July 2003)

The author recounts his holiday at Loch Ness, beginning on July 26th, 2003. He details the transfer of a caravan to a new Ford Transit van, which had been converted to run on LPG. The initial days involved settling in, observing the loch's conditions, and visiting local areas.

Several days are described with specific activities and encounters:

• July 27th: An Osprey sighting, a visit to Fort Augustus, and observing the canal end.
• July 28th: Shopping in Inverness, meeting Steve Feltham and 'Richard' (connected to the Centre for Fortean Zoology) at Dores to discuss loch matters, including theories about 'Giant Eels'.
• July 29th: A visit to Drumnadrochit, meeting Alastair and Sue Boyd, and a discussion with NIS members Val Smith and Jonathan about 'Ness and connected things'.
• July 30th: A tourist day including Carrbridge, Grantown, and heading back via Forres and Cawdor Castle. The author contacted Bob Rines and received an invitation to a presentation.
• July 31st: Attended the Drumnadrochit Highland Gathering and the Frank Dougherty Memorial Presentation in Inverness, where evidence was presented that Loch Ness was once part of the seas.
• August 1st: Shopping in Inverness and attending the Moy Games Fair.
• August 2nd: A quiet run into Drumnadrochit, and later receiving a visit from Dick Raynor.
• August 3rd: A visit to the Clansman and Drumnadrochit, where Adrian and Maralyn requested a photograph for the LN2000 website's 'monster hunters' section.
• August 4th: A visit to Nairn and Fort George.
• August 5th: A final morning with mist, a visit to Nairn, and a walk along the seafront. The author also mentions missing an opportunity to visit Bob's Academy team.

The author notes that his wife Doris and sister-in-law Audrey are finding the travel increasingly strenuous, but Doris is keen to book for the following year (2004).

'Giant Eels' Theory

A significant section of the newsletter is dedicated to the 'Giant Eel' theory for Loch Ness. The author shares his long-held thoughts on this, stemming from an eel-catching program in 1970/71. He posits that some eels may not migrate to the Sargasso Sea but remain in the loch, grow large, and become predators, potentially explaining sightings.

He references an article in 'Sun' dated September 22, 2003, which highlighted his 'eel without the urge' theory, calling it an 'Eunuch Eel'. He also mentions an article in the April '04 Fortean Times by Jon Downes, director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, who has an ambivalent outlook on Nessie but presents the 'Eunuch Eel' as a possible solution.

The author contrasts this with older theories focusing on Plesiosaurs, noting that closer appraisal has made such survival doubtful. He also considers Adrian's 'Sturgeon' theory. He argues that while the 'Giant Eel' theory might explain something large in the loch, it falls short of answering all reported phenomena, particularly 'head and neck' sightings.

Field Research Report: Proof Positive-Loch Ness Was an Ancient Arm of the Sea

This section presents findings from the Academy of Applied Science (AAS) Loch Ness research team. It details the recovery of indisputable marine deposits from Loch Ness, including ancient sea beds, marine clam shells, and colonies of ancient sea life.

• Dating: Clam shells were reproducibly dated by radiocarbon (¹⁴C) to approximately 12,800 years before present (BP), corresponding to the end of the last glaciation. Amino acid racemization dating suggests an age of about 125,000 years for some deposits, corresponding to a previous interglacial period.
• Significance: This evidence challenges previous theories about the chronology of glaciation and land-and-sea-level changes in the region. It supports the hypothesis that Loch Ness may have been an arm of the sea, potentially allowing large marine animals to enter.
• Methodology: The AAS team used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to explore Urquhart Bay. During an attempt to retrieve an anchor lodged in the bottom, they discovered darker mud containing marine fossils.
• Identification: The recovered clam shells were identified as 'blunt gapers' (Mya Truncata). The matrix material was confirmed as entirely marine, containing fragments of echinoid spines, foraminifera, ostracods, and other sea mollusk bits.
• Implications: The findings suggest that the sea was in the Great Glen Rift for centuries after the last glacier receded and before the loch became land-locked. This could modify earlier theories of Scotland's geological formation and the effects of the last glacier.

The report also mentions the recovery of similar materials in June 2002, reinforcing the findings. The authors note that some of the ancient sea bed material may have been protected from glacial erosion.

Other Mentions

• Underwater Mushrooms: The report describes an ROV's discovery of strange, orange, mushroom-shaped growths at 600 feet deep in Urquhart Bay. Attempts to collect samples were challenging due to their fragility.
• Frank Dougherty: A memorial presentation was held for Frank Dougherty, a geologist who assisted the AAS teams for many years. His contributions to understanding Loch Ness are highlighted.
• References: A list of references is provided, citing various scientific papers and reports related to Loch Ness research, geology, and dating methods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are personal experiences and observations at Loch Ness, the exploration of cryptozoological explanations for phenomena (specifically the 'Giant Eel' theory), and the presentation of scientific evidence supporting a historical marine connection for the loch. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting both anecdotal accounts and scientific findings, while acknowledging the limitations of current explanations for the Loch Ness mystery.