Nessletter - No 163 - 2016

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NESSLETTER, number 163, dated March 2016, from the NESS INFORMATION SERVICE, covers a range of topics related to unexplained phenomena, primarily focusing on Loch Ness and its surrounding areas. The publication maintains a critical and investigative stance, often debunking sensational claims while exploring genuine mysteries.

Doug Macfarlane's Loch Ness and Clyde Experiences

Doug Macfarlane recounts a visit to Loch Ness on April 30th, 2015, with his wife Margaret. They stayed in Balquidder, near Dores, and found the accommodation pricey but good value. Their visit included a trip on the 'Royal Scot' boat, equipped with advanced sonar, which allowed passengers to view underwater displays. The sonar reportedly detected large targets, possibly explained by 'Ferrox Trout,' a type of large trout claimed to exist in other Scottish lochs. Macfarlane also details a productive year in 2015 on the Clyde, where he and his son Alan used a new R.I.B. boat with GPS and color sounder to observe Basking Sharks, Dolphins, Seals, and even a Minkie Whale. He notes his improving sonar equipment and his long-term interest in Basking Sharks.

Loch Morar and the Mystery of 'Morag'

The article shifts focus to Loch Morar, featured in a TV program called 'Secret Britain.' The loch is described as softer and prettier than Loch Ness. The segment highlighted a father, a Countryside Ranger, and his daughter, who presented video footage of mysterious wakes on the calm, dark water. These wakes appeared narrow and bright, with little displacement of water. The author expresses surprise, as he has photographs of similar wakes on Loch Ness caused by Black Throated Divers. He questions why the father, a ranger, might not have recognized these as bird-related wakes, suggesting the possibility of something genuinely strange on Loch Morar.

Loch Ness UFO Incident

In June 2015, the Daily Star published a story linking 'strange-ness' to Loch Ness. Alan Betts and his wife Anna, while on holiday from York, stayed at Bunloit and took photographs. One digital image, taken by Anna's mother Tatina, showed mysterious disc-shaped objects flying low over the loch. The newspaper provided a poor-quality illustration of these objects, described as two larger oval shapes with lighter bands, followed by three smaller light ovals. However, the article points out that Mick West of Metabunk.org investigated a similar case and found it to be a dual reflection of a table lamp in a double-glazed window. West contacted the owner of the Bunloit Farmhouse, who took further photographs from indoors. These comparisons strongly suggested that the original 'UFO' image was also a reflection, demonstrating how careful scrutiny and investigation can explain apparent mysteries.

The Case of Dr. Denys Tucker

This section delves into the seven-year legal battle of Dr. Denys Tucker, a scientific officer at the London Natural History Museum (NHM), who was dismissed in 1960. Files released under the Freedom of Information Act suggest his dismissal was linked to his support for the existence of a large, unknown creature in Loch Ness. Dr. Tucker, a decorated WWII pilot and eminent zoologist, reported witnessing an 'unnamed animal' in Loch Ness in 1959, suggesting it could be an Elasmosaurus. His superiors at the NHM disapproved of his involvement in what they considered 'legendary, mythical, beast' research, issuing a warning to employees about spending official time or leave on such phenomena and the risk of undesirable publicity. Despite not retracting his statements, Dr. Tucker was dismissed, with the museum citing his disciplinary record, including keeping a pistol on his desk and allegedly waving it at a colleague. He died in 2009, convinced of an establishment cover-up. Oliver Crimmen, curator of fish at the NHM, described Tucker as an 'impossible character' who 'paid a heavy price.' The author suggests the museum could have handled the situation more diplomatically, acknowledging Tucker's brilliance while humoring his eccentricities.

Sonar Investigations and a New Deep Trench

A newspaper story from mid-January 2016 reported on Keith Stewart, a former fisherman and pleasure boat skipper, who picked up an unusual shape on his sonar in Loch Ness. While not a believer before, the image of a long, humped object on the loch bottom made him wonder. He also discovered a trench in the loch bottom measuring 889ft deep, significantly deeper than previously recorded. An 'expert' suggested this could be the result of an earthquake in 2013, potentially creating a new habitat for the 'Nessie family.' The author expresses skepticism, noting that sonar registers density differences, not shapes, and questions the lack of location details for the 'new deep.' He also doubts the earthquake explanation, as such a significant movement of the loch floor would likely cause surface disruption. The possibility of a rogue sonar signal bouncing off a steep wall is also mentioned as a potential explanation for previous 'new deep' findings.

Steve Feltham's Wels Catfish Theory

In July of the previous year, Steve Feltham, who had been hunting for Nessie for 24 years, was featured in national newspapers with headlines like "Nessie's a Fish!". The articles suggested he was convinced the creature was a giant Wels Catfish, native to Eastern Europe. The author notes that this claim caused local concern about the impact on tourism. The Daily Mirror, however, published a more nuanced piece clarifying that Feltham had not solved the mystery but proposed Wels Catfish as one of several theories, alongside Sturgeon and Eels, to explain eyewitness reports. Feltham appeared on 'This Morning,' where he clarified his position, explaining that a freelance journalist had picked up on his 'Wels theory' after a conversation while he was making model monsters. The journalist's report led to the sensational headlines. Feltham likened the situation to a horse race, where leading does not guarantee a win, and stressed that many questions, particularly regarding 'long necks,' remain unanswered. He has been at Loch Ness for nearly 25 years and is a respected member of the Dores village community.

Further Correspondence and Reflections

Steve Feltham wrote a letter apologizing for the delay in responding, explaining his busy schedule following the 'Catfish' story, which he believes prompted some people to visit and buy his models. He noted a lack of significant reports in the loch during the summers of 2015 and 2014. He mentioned spending a week at The Highland Club, overlooking the monk's graveyard and Loch Ness, and reflecting on his 1991 discovery. He also noted the existence of an outdoor swimming pool near the lighthouse and enjoyed a sunset view from a clock tower. Feltham and his partner Hilary have been together for over a decade; he lives in his research van on Dores beach, and she in Inverness. He was invited to the launch of Gareth F. Williams' book, 'A Monstrous Commotion (The Mysteries of Loch Ness),' which posits that Nessie was invented in 1930. Feltham, along with Adrian Shine and Dick Raynor, are described as having played a part in 'hammering nails into Nessie's coffin' through their research and interpretations. Feltham identifies himself as the lone defender of the evidence. He sent a promotional postcard for his handcrafted Nessie models and The Highland Club. He confirmed his van is watertight and he remains fit.

The author reflects on past discussions with Adrian Shine and others, recalling an attempt to replicate Tim Dinsdale's 1960 film. Despite using similar equipment and conditions, the replication showed only a man in a boat, not the large, unusual object Dinsdale filmed. The author concludes that Dinsdale may have indeed filmed something significant on April 23rd, 1960.

The editor apologizes for the delay in publishing the Nessletter, attributing it to the usual situation and his age (octogenarian). He thanks readers for their news, views, and thoughts, and provides subscription details for the UK and USA, along with the postal address and contact numbers for R.R. Hepple.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The NESSLETTER consistently adopts a skeptical yet open-minded approach to reports of unexplained phenomena. It prioritizes factual investigation, critical analysis, and debunking sensationalism, as seen in the UFO photograph case and the misreporting of Steve Feltham's Wels Catfish theory. The publication values eyewitness accounts and ongoing research but demands rigorous evidence. There's a recurring theme of questioning official narratives and exploring the possibility of misidentification or natural explanations for purported mysteries. The editor's personal reflections and historical context, particularly regarding the Loch Ness Monster and its investigation, are woven throughout the publication, highlighting the enduring nature of these enigmas and the dedication of those who study them.