For today's story from the Advertiser's archives, we're featuring a quirky news item first published 15 years ago in which a basic spelling error on a council sign suggested visitors to Arrochar faced a two-day journey to the nearest public toilets.

Here's how we reported the news in the Advertiser on May 27, 2004...

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TOURISTS who want to spend a penny would have to fork out nearly £1,000 if they believe signs put up by the council in Arrochar.

Argyll and Bute Council shut down the once award-winning facilities because of major drainage problems last year.

They meant to put up a sign telling cross-legged visitors to the village that there were toilets in nearby Tarbet.

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But the one put up at the boarded up building says the nearest public convenience is at ‘Talbert’ Pier.

Talbert is a town in Kentucky, USA - an epic journey for anyone dying for the loo.

Near to towns called Ned and Rowdy, Talbert is two days away and to get there trippers would have to take four flights costing a total £825.

Travellers would have to drive down the A82 and across the Erskine Bridge to Glasgow Airport. The journey then involves passing through four airports in the United States before the excursion across land to Talbert.

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A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said one of the signs at the toilets was spelt correctly. She explained the council regretted the closure which was ‘due to serious disrepair’ and advised members of the public they could use facilities at an adjacent cafe.