By Richard Carter.
The Loch Ness Society was formed by myself and Ian Kelloway of Bristol. Both of us have been visiting the loch for many years, we were introduced by Steve Feltham who lives on the shores of the loch and is a full time monster hunter. Ian and I decided it was about time a new organisation was formed to bring all the ‘Nessie’ hunter’s together to try and re-kindle the friendship and organised annual expeditions of the 60’s and 70’s with the aim of solving the greatest mystery in the world. So with the help of Ian Martin an environmentalist from Bristol, the Loch Ness Society was formed.
The main aim of the society is of course to work together with all our members to try and solve the mystery of ‘Nessie,’ this will be at our annual expeditions to the loch.
Our second aim is to help in matters around the loch involving environmental issues which we area already involved in and hopefully on our expeditions we will also have people wishing to be involved in environmental issues and not just ‘Nessie.”
So far for this years expedition we have several things planned which include the use of attractants suspended from floats and anchored near to river mouths, these will be watched from the loch banks, plus a small boat fitted with sonar. Camera watches will be maintained at various points around the loch with excellant views up and down. A litter picking programme has been planned with the co-operation of the Inverness Council and will be carried out on the South-West shore between Dores and Inverfairgal with the council supplying the bags and gloves. We are also hoping to start a petition about the proposed extention of the car park at Urguhart Castle and the visitor centre which will be housed underneath it. I do understand the need for a larger car park but I think anyone visiting the loch area will agree that any alteration made round this area would spoil the whole look of what must be one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland, anyone with any concern about the building of the car park should write to Historic Scotland.
Another thing causing concern at the moment are the plans or a large pig farm just outside of Inverness, it would handle 48.000 pigs a year and produce 50.000 tonnes of pig muck a year. This they want to spread back into the ground but that amount of muck would contain so much nitrogen with metal traces of copper and zinc, that it would make the land virtually dead because the soil would be too rich, then there is the real risk of the water table being contaminated for miles around.
Our hope is that with the Loch Ness Society we can bring ‘Nessie’ hunters together to try and solve the mystery and enjoy the company of other people with the same interests, and do our share to help the Loch Ness area and the local environmental issues. Through our newsletter we hope to keep our members informed of all sightings and other news from around the loch. If our members have a question about any matters concerning the loch or ‘Nessie’ all they have to do is write or phone and we will do our best to answer it for you. If we cannot come up with the answer then our honoury members which include Steve Feltham, Adrian Shine, Rip Hepple and Tony Harmsworth who between them know the loch inside out should be able to answer your query.
So if you are a ‘Nessie’ hunter or wish to become involved in the environmental side of our society then join the Loch Ness Society and you will find that there is a place for every one. Feel free to phone me on (01484) 844450.
Richard Carter. (Research and expedition)
5 Dirker Drive, Marsden,
Huddersfield. Yorkshire.
HD7 6AP. England.
Aims and Objectives.
Subscription rates are as follows: Individual twelve pounds fifty pence.
Family (Max five residents) twenty pounds.
OAP\Unemployed six pounds fifty.
Under 12’s six pounds fifty.
Organisations and groups on request.
Subscription rates are reduced if you apply after March 1st of any year, also available if you supply two passport sized photographs are laminated I.D. cards.
The first annual expedition of the Loch Ness Society, (Attractant 96) will take place on July 20th until 3rd of August and will be based at the Invermoriston Caravan Park.
Activities include camera watches from dawn to dusk every day for two weeks in prime positions. A rota system will be in operation. Richard Carter has produced a very strong attractant which will be placed in shallower waters near the river mouths. A boat trip has been arranged, barbecue, slide shows and talks. Di Frances will give a talk on the subject of ‘Big Cats’ including her theory on new breeds. A talk will also be given by Adrian Shine on his work with the Loch Ness and Morar project. Mr. Shine has also persuaded the society to paint the project work shed! (A’up lads my gardens need doing!) And...well why not join and participate in the activities yourself. As for me and Hannah we will be there on Tuesday 22nd only (Fingers crossed.) due to work commitments. But hopefully we will have a full report of the expedition in issue two of Haunted Scotland.
Diver Cameron Turner arrived back at the surface of Loch Morag with some very ‘strange’ bones that he found on the bottom. Cameron said, “I was amazed to see the bones lying at the bottom of the loch, the only way they could have got there is if something big died in the water or if another animal had been dragged down there to be eaten. The water is very dark with peat, and after I collected as many bones as I could, I decided to get out of there as quickly as possible because I would not like to meet the beast on my own.”
Then ‘somebody’ said maybe they are the remains of Morag, then ‘somebody’ must have informed the media and then all hell broke loose. Headlines such as ‘Beast Hunters Red Faced After Monster Mistake’....and ‘Beastie-Or Big Brekkie’...hit the daily tabloids.
The ‘serious’ investigators were up in arms uttering things like their efforts at scientific research were being undermined! (I don’t see how personally) Anyway, a good time was had by all, (Just about.) Nessie and his cousin Morag have received a lot of publicity and in my view there is room for all kinds of Nessie hunters.
I would just like to point out that since making contact with ‘The Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club’ and Richard Carter, I have received more sightings of Nessie then ever before then from the ‘serious’ investigators. Somebody did point out that the sightings are not confirmed reports, (and lets face it which ones are anyway as there is no real proof) I agree that is true, but then it is up to these people making the criticisms to follow up these leads. The leads that they may not have had in the first place if it were not due to the new societies. Or is it the fact that the sightings are being made widely known now and not just for a select few which is upsetting everyone.
Meanwhile Rip Hepple who produces the ‘Nessletter’ marched into the offices of the Inverness Courier saying that you have had all the other Nessie groups having their publicity, what about me! Anyway his wish was granted and a column appeared in the next few days.
Apparently not everything went too well with the expedition organised by the Loch Ness Society. Everyone just seemed to do their own thing and the agenda was not adhered to, especially at the barbecue not only were the organisers not there but worst of all no food! Tempers flared and arguments ensured during the fortnight.
Richard Carter has now left the Loch Ness Society saying, “Apparently I served my purpose, although it is sad after all the work I put in.”
If you have seen Nessie please let us know, personal details will be omitted if that is your wish. Email