TODAY'S story from the Advertiser's archives sees us wind back the clock 15 years to news that American rockers REM were set to play a gig near Loch Lomond.

The band took to the stage at Balloch Castle Country Park in June 2005 – here's how we reported on the announcement of the gig nine months previously...

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ONE of the world’s biggest rock bands is planning to play on Loch Lomondside.

Fans from all over Britain are already snapping up tickets for a show by American rockers REM next year in Balloch Castle Country Park.

But residents and park rangers complained about the state of the park and the village after similar shows from Runrig in 1991 and Oasis in 1996.

Neither Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park or West Dunbartonshire Council have yet received a licensing or planning application for the event, billed for June 18, but promoters have been in discussions with both.

National park officials were unaware it was being advertised.

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Around 40,000 people will pour into the scenic outdoor venue to hear hits from leadman Michael Stipe plus supporting acts in June next year, and it could be a huge boost for businesses around Loch Lomondside.

At the Oasis weekend one hotel sold 7,200 bottles of lager and 1,260 pints of beer in just two days.

Locals rented out car parking spaces and tent pitches, and coffee shops transformed themselves into fast food joints for the weekend.

This will be the first time such an event will be held in the national park since it was formed, but officials are confused as to why they have not had official notification.

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A spokesperson said: “They are going to need planning permission and no application has gone in as yet.

“Before the concert gets the go-ahead this needs to be passed.

“Obviously there are a lot of considerations such as environmental and people issues.

“The organisers have been in touch with our planning department but they really need to get the application in.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh-based promoters Regular Music said they didn’t want to bring the same problems as have blighted such events in the past.

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He told the Advertiser: “We are going to be working with all the authorities in the area to ensure this will not happen again.

“There will be new procedures in place that we will work alongside to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“We will be working with the local community to ensure that they are happy with the plans, and to make it a good thing for them.

“It’s going to benefit the area as all the B&Bs and hotels will be booked solid. It will be wonderful.”