Even in our time, many eyewitnesses of unusual events and phenomena hesitate to share their experiences with friends and relatives, let alone with the press.

The fear of being labeled a drunkard, drug addict, or even mentally ill by society is very real. Decades ago, when only a few researchers dared to discuss UFOs, witnessing something strange in the sky and talking about it almost guaranteed ridicule for years.

Such was the case for 67-year-old Gordon Mackerracher from Edinburgh, who kept silent for half a century about his encounter with a large UFO. Only recently did he decide to speak to journalists about what he saw.

According to Gordon, he was 17 years old at the time, walking along a road in the countryside of West Lothian, Scotland, when he noticed a strange flying object in the sky.