As a follow up to the story of Arthur Kopit and the walrus like noises he heard in 1962, we have a similar story to tell here and this seems as good a time as any to recount it. It is from a letter written to the Inverness Courier dated 11th November 1975. It is from an L. B. Croston after the Courier had published an account of the better known Lipinski land sighting some weeks before.
LOCH NESS MONSTER
Avoch. Ross-shire IV 98AT
Sir. — The contribution on the sandbank stranding report of the Loch Ness Monster (October 14th), was most interesting. Some years ago, before returning to Scotland I was checking essays of matriculation students in England. One of the subjects was "An exceptional holiday." A teenager, from the middle of Lancashire, I was afterwards able to find out, wrote a vivid account of a personal experience in the same area: so vivid I discounted it both on its "imaginative perception" and on the fact that most sightings were in the Lewiston - Dores - Foyers triangle. The writer mentioned how in the middle of the night the two boys were awakened by a terrific commotion outside their tent, near the abbey at Fort Augustus, on the loch side, and the drenching sound which fell upon their ears. They did not move until daylight when they found the motor cycle knocked over, their tent nearly awash and the shrubbery hard by beaten down and broken. It was quite evident from their experience that the Monster had indeed paid a visit — Yours etc., L. B. CROSTON.
Thus ends the short account to add to the roster of land reports. Like Arthur Copit, the emphasis on the story is no so much what was seen as what was heard. Our unknown teenager had effectively filled in a sighting report by way of an essay for his tutor to mark. Where that interesting essay is now, is anyone's guess and all we have is a brief summary by his teacher attempting to remember the event years later.
The disconcerting story could have happened in the 1960s or even further back in the 1950s, who knows? I would like to think the teenager is still alive and with us, albeit now perhaps a pensioner. But all we have are a few sentences, and what can we make of them?
One may be inclined to think the hapless teenagers had merely experienced a stormy night at the loch as incoming waves battered bushes, tent and motor bike. The mention of drenching and a tent awash may suggest this and since they did not venture outside, they cannot be ever sure a large creature was roaming around their tent late at night.
On the other hand, you would think they would know the difference between a stormy night and a disruption which put them into that unsettled state. Indeed, it is unclear whether any of the noises described could be classed as vocalisations rather than noises produced by collisions between one object and another?
I fancy this account happened on the beach at Borlum Bay which is just on the other side of the River Tarff from the Abbey. Needless to say, Mr. Croston's remark about the "Lewiston-Dores-Foyers triangle" is a bit simplistic as the Abbey area has had its fair share of reports over the years. But as to what exactly happened that night decades ago, we need more than this.
A search of the genealogical records reveals Mr. Croston to be Leslie Banks Croston who died in the Black Isle in 1980 aged 71. From another search he turns out to be Major Leslie Croston from St. Helens, Lancashire and confirmed by this 1972 Aberdeen Press and Journal picture of him.
He also owned the Norscot Marina Restaurant in Avoch. The reference to a Lancashire student suggests he previously taught somewhere in that area, perhaps in a military school, but that is more speculative. If the school could be identified, then one would then look for an "alma mater" website or forum and ask who remembered Leslie Croston. Well, that may require a bit more work, perhaps others can help out here? And with that I will leave it there.
The disconcerting story could have happened in the 1960s or even further back in the 1950s, who knows? I would like to think the teenager is still alive and with us, albeit now perhaps a pensioner. But all we have are a few sentences, and what can we make of them?
One may be inclined to think the hapless teenagers had merely experienced a stormy night at the loch as incoming waves battered bushes, tent and motor bike. The mention of drenching and a tent awash may suggest this and since they did not venture outside, they cannot be ever sure a large creature was roaming around their tent late at night.
On the other hand, you would think they would know the difference between a stormy night and a disruption which put them into that unsettled state. Indeed, it is unclear whether any of the noises described could be classed as vocalisations rather than noises produced by collisions between one object and another?
I fancy this account happened on the beach at Borlum Bay which is just on the other side of the River Tarff from the Abbey. Needless to say, Mr. Croston's remark about the "Lewiston-Dores-Foyers triangle" is a bit simplistic as the Abbey area has had its fair share of reports over the years. But as to what exactly happened that night decades ago, we need more than this.
A search of the genealogical records reveals Mr. Croston to be Leslie Banks Croston who died in the Black Isle in 1980 aged 71. From another search he turns out to be Major Leslie Croston from St. Helens, Lancashire and confirmed by this 1972 Aberdeen Press and Journal picture of him.
He also owned the Norscot Marina Restaurant in Avoch. The reference to a Lancashire student suggests he previously taught somewhere in that area, perhaps in a military school, but that is more speculative. If the school could be identified, then one would then look for an "alma mater" website or forum and ask who remembered Leslie Croston. Well, that may require a bit more work, perhaps others can help out here? And with that I will leave it there.
The author can be contacted at lochnesskelpie@gmail.com
It is possible he was not the boy's teacher but an examination marker " checking essays of matriculation students." The fact that he says he was later able to find out the student was from mid Lancashire suggests this is the case. As an exam marker you are able to ascertain the region where the school's you are marking are situated. Sorry to put a damper on the possibility of locating the school and even the student!
ReplyDeleteWell, that would make things more difficult if the teenagers did not know him.
DeleteI was tempted to jump in the car myself, but thought better. It would take me the whole day to go up and down. Did the boat traffic look quieter?
ReplyDeleteHave you covered the above mentioned Lipinski case in a previous article, Roland?...can't seem to find anything using the search facility.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't covered it before and it only merits a mention in the appendix of my land sightings book.
DeleteI always thought the fish farm could be a fruitful source of Nessie stories if she has a predilection for salmon.
ReplyDeleteTim rushed down to Lower Foyers in his car in the hope he could get a closer shot of the quarry with the few feet of film he had left. By the time he got there it was gone.
Every time I come here to read, there is more information and news, just amazing. And there are simply too many photos and sightings of something in the Loch, and for too many years to just dismiss as nothing. And the mystery deepens...……..
ReplyDeleteIt is true and sad at the same time. The Loch seems to be a place where people can dream of the mysteries of life. It doesn't cost much and it provides entertainment. At this pace, the mystery of Loch Ness may be solved 10,000 years from now.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe there is a simpler way and a way not very expensive to get good, quality data on the 'beast' which will prove at least that something is there and can be tracked.
The use of very inexpensive hydrophones placed strategically in and around Urquhart Bay, for example, should detect something IF the something is really there. And its location(s) can be somewhat pinpointed along with partial movements in coordination with sonar- perhaps.
Hydrophones tied to a buoy or weighted down rowboat perhaps with a night-light attached can be used to monitor the situation.
Of course, this would require some capital outlay, some interested people for coordination but after a month or so some interesting data may be brought forth as to patterns of what the supposedly creature is doing.
With that information and a lot of good fortune and scientific analysis of a supposed pattern in conjunction with these devices may give some evidence that goes far beyond personal sightings of very far distant objects that disappear into the night. This is just my two-cents worth! Great Blog GB!!! Keep up the good work! Ahmed
The Arthur Kopit account remains one of my favourite sightings. I know the topic has been discussed before GB but I’m just wondering what your thoughts are in regards to Nessie potentially being more active during the night? It got me thinking that loud noises and the fast cars around the Loch might actually frighten the animal.
ReplyDeleteIt’d be interesting if someone placed cameras in the spots where Nessie has been spotted on land or find sections around the shore where trees and other types of shrubbery are easily accessible.