Nessletter - No 157 - 2011

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Nessletter, number 157, published in February 2011 by the Ness Information Service, focuses on recent and historical accounts related to the Loch Ness Monster and other unexplained phenomena. The newsletter features contributions from various researchers and eyewitnesses, highlighting the ongoing interest and investigation into the mystery of Loch Ness.

Ulrich Magin's Contributions

Ulrich Magin is recognized for his diligent work producing the newsletter 'BILK'. This issue includes information from his research, particularly concerning early reports of the Loch Ness Monster. Magin discovered that accounts of a sighting by Ian Milne, dated to 1930, were published in American newspapers at the time. He notes that these articles, accessed via 'Pay to View', suggest that the Loch Ness Monster was making headlines in the USA in 1930, earlier than previously assumed. The specific reports cited are from the Hartford Courant (October 12th, 1930) and The Sun (October 19th, 1930). Magin also references a report by Ian Milne in Tim Dinsdale's 'Loch Ness Monster', which appears to be the same account, naming the disturbance's location as Holly Bush Bay. The report is dated June 14th, 1933, in the Northern Chronicle, leading Magin to question if the story reached American papers before the Scottish ones.

Steve Feltham's Reports

Steve Feltham, an active investigator, reports that the 'monster' scene at Loch Ness has been quiet. He shares two accounts:

1. American Ladies' Sighting: During Easter weekend, two mature American ladies staying in Dores reported seeing a dark hump moving across the bay from their guesthouse window. The estimated size was two feet long, dark in color, and it moved steadily before disappearing behind a house.
2. Spanish Visitor's Video: Around the same time, a Spanish visitor camping near Tor Point took a video of something crossing the bay. Steve Feltham was initially unable to view the footage due to flat batteries. Upon later viewing, after the images were transferred to a computer, the object initially appeared large, seemingly as big as a horse. However, after adjusting the scale, it was identified as a Black Throated Diver, a large bird known to sit low in the water. Feltham wonders if the American ladies saw the same bird. He also mentions submitting a paragraph about the American ladies' account to the Inverness Courier, but it was not published, leading him to speculate if this lack of media interest contributes to the perceived scarcity of sightings.

Geriant Gibson's Findings

Geriant Gibson, a dedicated researcher, had just returned from his third trip to Loch Ness. He shared positive news mixed with frustration. While staying at a chalet-park near Fort Augustus, he learned that Ricky MacDonald, operator of the 'Royal Scot' tourist boat, had a sighting on Wednesday, September 29th. MacDonald reported seeing three humps proceeding along the loch near Cherry Island. Gibson notes that this was MacDonald's first sighting in five or six years, though he occasionally obtains sonar contacts. Gibson believes that many sightings go unreported and that some reports, like Steve Feltham's, are made but not published.

Gibson initially considered the 'multiple humps' sighting to be a 'boat-wake'. However, he regards Ricky MacDonald as a reliable source due to their long-standing rapport and MacDonald's extensive experience on the water. Therefore, he classifies this as a good sighting.

John Cooper's Visit and Analysis

John Cooper and Davina visited Skye and subsequently 'The Loch'. They arrived at Dores around 11:00 hrs and parked near a stream. Cooper noted Steve Feltham's van was present but seemed less active than usual. Cooper's visit included a walk to the end of the shingle beach, observing breakers. They also visited Lower Foyers, noting the significant wave erosion (about 3 meters) on the Inverness-facing side of the Foyers Spit over the past thirty years, which has reduced former camping spots. After their trip, they traveled to Skye and then south, staying overnight at Arden House in Kingussie. During their journey, they passed along the north shore of Loch Ness and visited the Loch Ness display in a converted hotel.

Cooper describes the exhibition as a sound and light presentation with five themed chambers, rather than a traditional exhibition of items. He found the presentation to be a short, minimalist introduction to folklore and geology, followed by Loch Ness and sonar science facts. He felt it was entertaining but too loud. For personal learning, he desired more hard-core science but acknowledged the difficulty in presenting this to a mixed audience. He observed that a 'Monster' picture, upon close inspection, appeared to be a 'double exposure' of a Labrador dog with a fish.

Cooper also expressed a desire for more multi-expedition data to be made available for researchers. He noted that despite numerous sonar scans and university explorations, little data is available for research use since the initial LNIB investigations. He referred to NIS 156 and the piece on Mr. Dinsdale, lamenting the low-resolution, repeatedly copied versions of the short film available online. He wishes for the original film to be made available for modern copying and dissemination.

Wake Analysis: Based on a video clip (link provided: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVOyo-OwDYM), Cooper offers the following points for discussion:

1. General Wake Characteristics: Objects moving through water leave a surface disturbance. Non-powered objects typically leave a clean, symmetrical 'V' wake. Engine-powered objects usually leave a central plume. The wake is generally symmetrical about the direction of travel.
2. Wake Velocity: At slow velocities, the wake should be symmetrically arranged, with equal angles of dispersion.
3. Observed Wake Bias: Cooper observes that the 'V' wake in the clip is not arranged symmetrically as expected.
4. Wake Bias Detail: The visible and substantial wake is significantly biased to the right side of the image, contrary to the expected direction of travel.
5. Obscured Wake: While the left-hand wake is visible as a wave line, it is often obscured by sun-glint or 'white-out' and positioned where it would be expected if the object were breaking the water surface.

Cooper concludes that the object in the clip has a symmetrical 'V' wake with a centre plume. He leaves the final conclusion to the reader and questions if the sun-glint, if it is indeed sun-glint, is at the expected angle on the loch surface given the date and time of filming.

Ulrich Magin's Latest Report: Richard Preston Sighting

Magin shares a report from Ulrich's 'BILK' newsletter, which was based on an Inverness Courier article from November 26th, 2010. Richard Preston, a landscape architect working at Aldourie Castle, reported seeing something unusual in the loch. Around 3 pm one day in November 2010, Preston noticed a glimmer or reflection on the opposite shore. He snapped images on his mobile phone, but by the time he turned back, a 'three-humped' object had disappeared. Preston, who had worked at the castle for three years, stated he had never seen anything like it and suggested it could be a 'sea-going beast'.

The photographs interested Steve Feltham. The images, taken from the castle grounds, show what appears to be three humps about three-quarters of the way across the loch. Initially, Steve thought it was a boat-wake, but the image did not move in the shots, which is inconsistent with a boat-wake moving relative to the shore. Adrian Shine, described as a 'Loch Ness Monster Expert', found the pictures interesting but suggested they could be reflections from a house or leaves.

Magin examines the small picture available to him. He notes the foreground is in shadow, while the far shore is in bright sunshine, casting shadows that indicate the sun is behind and to the left of the camera. He identifies a building that looks like a traditional croft and another single-story bungalow. He suggests that a reflection from patio or picture windows on the bungalow, given the sun's angle, corresponds with the 'object' on the surface, which appears to be about sixty feet long. Magin agrees with Adrian Shine's assessment that it is likely a reflection, noting that Preston himself described it as a 'glimmer' and a 'reflection'. Magin recalls similar incidents in Urquhart Bay.

Editorial Notes and Membership

The editor, R.R. Hepple, expresses thanks to members for their contributions and notes that three reports are included in this issue, spanning several months, which is heartening. He requests members to inform him of any address changes and encourages news and views. Visitors are also welcome. Subscription rates are UK£3.00 and USA $10.00. The contact address is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigation into Loch Ness phenomena, the importance of eyewitness accounts, and the analysis of media reporting and photographic/video evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the reporting and sharing of sightings while also critically examining potential explanations such as boat wakes, reflections, and misidentifications. There is a clear emphasis on the historical context of sightings and the challenges of verifying and disseminating evidence in the modern media landscape. The editor actively solicits contributions from members, underscoring the collaborative nature of the research presented in the Nessletter.