Loch Ness Monster And Other Unexplained Mysteries (book review).
‘Loch Ness Monster And Other Unexplained Mysteries’ was the fourth book I picked up regarding Nessie. Primarily, this book compiles reports and clippings from my favorite newspaper, ‘The Daily Mirror.’ Since the 1960s, I’ve been a regular reader but hadn’t read all these stories collectively or put them in context. If nothing else, it shows that mysteries sell newspapers and often appear on the front pages. Not always, but those that don’t often receive extensive coverage inside. Even today, such stories can still stir a reaction and boost sales. It’s interesting to read the opening chapter and the reports selected by one newspaper.
Seeing all available reports might have provided a better insight into the social reaction, but since many British newspapers follow the lead in news coverage, I suspect they would be similar. The common assumption was that Nessie was just a log in the water, and one such log was actually retrieved from the Loch. One thing omitted, even in the photos, was how large a log could be and whether it would sink and rise periodically. Back in the day, there were no expert advisors. Nessie certainly dominated the media, even in the Mirror’s ‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’ newspaper strip. This was all a year before the Surgeon’s Photograph, which provided a visual representation of what people thought was there. It’s noteworthy that the hoax wasn’t revealed until 1994, yet its image is still used today, perpetuating its mythological appearance. Oddly, the book cover photo is also considered a fake.
In the first UFO chapter, I’m not sure if eye floaters could be photographed, which is what one teacher told his students. As with all these chapters and news pieces, there is a mix of believers and non-believers, with the latter converting when they see something unidentifiable. Oddly, it is often the believers who tend not to see anything, an interesting contradiction. Much of the book was put in standard text for easier reading, with only a few samples of newspaper clips themselves.
I appreciate the rotation of decades of events between various phenomena, as focusing on each one separately can make for a heavy read. Later in the book, it’s mentioned that a man-made flying saucer was built in 2003, but its fastest flight speed was only 20mph. Considering the Nimitz pilots saw a UAP exceeding the speed of sound, this leaves one to draw their own conclusions about human advancements in this design.
It’s interesting that in the mid-1970s, Tim Dinsdale was convinced there were 15 creatures in Loch Ness, while Sir Peter Scott estimated 40-50, although it’s unclear where they got their numbers, possibly from estimating breeding stock. The book also repeatedly mentions that Robert Rines was an American lawyer, a fact often overlooked. Just because he was the leader doesn’t necessarily mean he didn’t hire the right people, although more information on their qualifications would have been beneficial.
The final chapter shifts focus to black panthers and other big cats roaming the UK 20 years ago. They still appear occasionally, although none have been captured yet. There were concerns about potential human fatalities, especially since the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 led to some caged big cats being released into the wild. Remarkably, these cats weren’t sufficiently tamed to venture into villages, at least not during the day. The UK has plenty of hiding spots for a small breeding population, so this mystery is unlikely to be resolved soon.
This book is a useful resource, offering not only information about these creatures but also a glimpse into public opinion over the decades. If you can get your hands on a copy, it’s definitely worth picking up.
GF Willmetts
December 2023
(pub: Haynes Publishing, 2013. 207 page illustrated oblong hardback. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-0-85733-202-8)
