Retro Rendezvous

Connect, Collaborate and Code

Retro Computer Event

The IT Crowd (Scotland) Day Event : Saturday 26th September

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Retro Computing Day Event – Register Now!

Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Classic Computers, Practical Projects and Retro Games

The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) returns to the Falkirk Business Hub on Saturday, 26 September for another full day of retro computing, hardware demonstrations, project sharing, repairs, upgrades, games and friendly discussion.

There is no formal theme for the day. Instead, everyone is encouraged to bring along the machines, peripherals and projects they have been working on. Whether you have restored a classic computer, developed some software, built new hardware for an old system or simply have something unusual you would like to demonstrate, we would love to see it.

Featured During the Day

A Panasonic KX-P1081 dot-matrix printer from the early 1980s will be set up and running during the event, complete with traditional fanfold paper.

We will also have a selection of disk-based retro games running on a large screen in the Huddle area from a BBC Master 128, giving attendees the opportunity to play, compare and discuss games from the era.

What Are You Bringing?

One of the most enjoyable parts of these events is discovering what fellow enthusiasts have been tinkering with.

When registering, please let us know what you are considering bringing. Demonstrations, works in progress, unusual hardware, software projects, repairs, upgrades and retro-inspired creations are all welcome.

Finished projects are great—but unfinished ones often lead to even better conversations.

Important Registration Note

Payment for participation in this event is made individually at the Falkirk Business Hub reception on the day.

Please register on this website to let us know that you are planning to attend, then pay at reception when you arrive.

The normal price is £10 plus VAT for each four-hour block of desk rental in the co-working space, but attendees receive a 10% discount—please ask for this at reception.

You may attend for the full day, from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, or book a four-hour block. Most attendees choose the full day, particularly as we normally take a break for lunch at the on-site café.

What to Expect

  • Hardware Show and Tell
    Bring along your classic computers and peripherals to display, discuss, compare and demonstrate.
  • Project Demonstrations
    See what other members have been creating, restoring, modifying, programming or experimenting with.
  • Projects in Progress
    Software experiments, hardware modifications, networking projects, FPGA work, music systems, restorations and repairs are all welcome.
  • Retro Gaming
    Try a selection of classic disk-based games on the large screen in the Huddle area.
  • Dot-Matrix Printing
    See and hear an original Panasonic KX-P1081 printer running with fanfold paper.
  • Collaborative Tinkering
    Work alongside fellow enthusiasts to troubleshoot problems, exchange ideas and test new concepts.
  • Shared Knowledge and Experience
    Swap tips, discoveries and hard-earned lessons with people who genuinely enjoy this era of computing.
  • Repair and Upgrade Advice
    Informal help and guidance with diagnosing faults, sourcing parts and expanding classic systems.
  • Refreshments Included
    Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day, with lunch available from the on-site Finnegans Café.

Everyone Welcome

This is an open, platform-agnostic event. While Acorn systems are very much at home here, we warmly welcome enthusiasts of Sinclair, Atari, Commodore, Amstrad, Apple, MSX, Dragon, Tatung Einstein and other classic computers and consoles.

You do not necessarily need to bring any equipment to attend. If you enjoy retro technology and meeting the people who keep it alive, you will fit right in.

Venue

Falkirk Business Hub
45 Vicar Street
Falkirk
FK1 1LL

The venue is approximately a two-minute walk from Falkirk Grahamston railway station and is easily reached from the M9. Full lift access and accessible facilities are available.

After the event, Falkirk has plenty of nearby bars and restaurants for anyone wishing to continue the conversation into the evening.

Parking Options

  • Weir Street Car Park – Adjacent to the venue and particularly convenient for unloading equipment.
  • Melville Street Car Park – Another nearby option within easy walking distance.
  • Garrison Place Car Park – Usually the best-value option for all-day parking.

Come along for a full day of classic computers, practical tinkering, retro games, project sharing and good conversation—and reconnect with Scotland’s growing retro computing community.

Exterior of Falkirk Business Hub

Master Maintenance Mini-Meetup : Wed July 29th 2026

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Master Maintenance Mini Meet-Up

Date: Wednesday, 29th July 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

A relaxed morning of retro computing

Following the success of our recent I.T. Crowd (Scotland) day event, we’re trying something a little different.

Rather than a full-day gathering, this is an informal half-day workbench session where a small group of enthusiasts can get together to work on retro computing projects, exchange ideas, solve problems, and simply enjoy spending time with fellow hobbyists.

My own project for the morning will be giving a BBC Master some well-deserved TLC—cleaning the case and keyboard and generally freshening it up—hence the title of the event!

Bring a Project

Although the session is inspired by BBC Master maintenance, all retro computing projects are welcome.

Whether you’re:

  • Restoring a favourite machine
  • Cleaning or repairing hardware
  • Installing upgrades
  • Experimenting with software
  • Troubleshooting an elusive fault
  • Or simply want to show your latest retro project

…you’ll be very welcome.

Sometimes the best conversations happen when everyone is gathered around a workbench.

A More Informal Format

The emphasis is on collaborative tinkering, sharing knowledge, helping one another, and enjoying a relaxed morning of retro computing.

Around lunchtime we’ll head to Finnegans Café, located within the Falkirk Business Hub, for lunch and a catch-up before finishing around 1:30 pm.

Registration

We’ll be using the Hub’s free meeting table, which comfortably accommodates around three people.

So the first two registrations will be free.

If additional members would like to attend, extra workspaces are available from the Falkirk Business Hub for £10 (+VAT) per four-hour desk rental, allowing the session to expand if required.

Please register here on this website to let us know you’re planning to attend.

Everyone Welcome

As always, this is a platform-agnostic gathering.

Whether your interests are Acorn, Sinclair, Commodore, Atari, Amstrad, Apple, MSX, Dragon, Tatung Einstein—or almost any other classic computer—you’ll be among friends.

Venue

Falkirk Business Hub
45 Vicar Street
Falkirk
FK1 1LL

The venue is just a short walk from Grahamston railway station and has excellent road links from the M9. Parking is available nearby, and the Hub offers lift access, accessible facilities, and an excellent on-site café.

We hope this will become an occasional extra event between our regular I.T. Crowd (Scotland) day meetings—a chance to keep projects moving, learn from one another, and enjoy Scotland’s growing retro computing community.

Falkirk Business Hub exterior

Mini quedada Retrobytes (Córdoba)

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Retrobytes Mini Meetup – Gadgets, Coffee, and Good Company

We’re organising a Retrobytes mini meetup in Córdoba, designed as a small, informal, and friendly gathering for people who enjoy retro computing at table level: tinkering, trying out hardware, chatting, and sharing experiences without rush or an “event” format.

There will be no talks or presentations.
The idea is simple: bring your gadget, console, microcomputer, a personal project, or just come along to look around and enjoy the atmosphere.

Find out more about the Retrobytes club in Cordoba here:- https://retrobytes.org/

📍 Location

LaZona Coworking
C. Secretario Carretero, 7
Poniente Sur, 14004 Córdoba
https://lazona.co/es

We’ll be using the meeting room, a modern, clean, and comfortable space with a small kitchenette for making coffee, ideal for this kind of relaxed meetup.

🗓 Date & Time

Wednesday, March 4tht
🕘 09:30 – 13:30

Afterwards, anyone who wishes can join us for lunch at the UCO cafeteria, just a 2-minute walk away.

🕹️ What to expect

  • Bring and try out retro hardware

  • Consoles, microcomputers, personal projects

  • Relaxed tinkering with no pressure

  • Conversation, stories, and shared learning

  • A friendly Retrobytes atmosphere

⚠️ Important

  • This is a free meetup

  • Space is limited: maximum 5 people with equipment

  • For that reason, it’s a small, close-knit gathering

  • If you sign up, please do try to attend so a space isn’t wasted 😊

🚗 Parking

There’s no parking directly outside the office.
The plan is to drop equipment at the door and then park nearby, which is usually quite manageable at that time of day.

This mini meetup is aimed especially at people who have weekday morning availability.

If you fancy sharing a table, some gadgets, and a coffee, you’re very welcome.

The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Retro User Computer Group Jan 2025

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Event on Monday 13th January

This is a gathering for lovers of any retro microcomputers, especially those fond of the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Atom, and Archimedes/RISC OS machines. This event is aimed at bringing together a community of like-minded individuals in a comfortable and modern setting – the Falkirk Business Hub, in central Falkirk, Scotland.

Monday 13th January 2025 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

🕹 Event Features:

This is an informal gathering for…

  • – Show and Tell: Bring your own hardware to display and discuss with others.
  • – Collaborative Working: Spend time on hardware, programming, or gaming projects.
  • – Knowledge Exchange: Share ideas, insights, and skills with other enthusiasts.
  • – Advice on Repair and Upgrade: Reviving poorly Acorn machines.
  • – Socialize and Enjoy : There’s a kitchen for coffee, tea and biscuits. We’re in the town centre for bars, pubs and restaurants for potential afterwards gatherings.

🔎 Jan 2025 Focus

Acorn’s Sandbox Gaming Legacy

Celebrate the open-world and exploratory games of Acorn computers, including classics like Elite, Exile, Citadel, Repton, and The Lords of Midnight (inspired by Acorn-era gaming – I will have a simple version of this running for the BBC Micro). These games were influential for their freedom of choice and creativity, laying the groundwork for modern sandbox gaming.

Bringing in non-Acorn machines? See if you can find an early sandbox-style game for your own machine.

Ways to Contribute:

  • Game Demos: Showcase these classics on your BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, or Archimedes.
  • Custom Content: Share custom levels, mods, or unique strategies for games like Repton or Exile.
  • Personal Stories: Talk about your experiences with these games and their impact.
  • Competitions: Organize friendly challenges on Elite or Repton for prizes.
  • Hardware & Swaps: Bring spare hardware, peripherals, or game disks to trade or sell.

💻 All Are Welcome:
While the event tends to be Acorn-centric, we could welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines as well. We’ve had Sinclair, Atari, Commodore, Altair etc.

📅 Date & Time:
Monday 13th January 2025 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL

Access : use the side door on Vicar Street. This also has disabled access.

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https://falkirkbusinesshub.co.uk/ – a contemporary venue centrally located, just a 2-minute walk from Grahamston Train Station and with seamless access to the M9 motorway between Stirling and Edinburgh. Numerous bars and restaurants are nearby for post-event socializing.
There is a car park next to the building which is free in the evenings.
Building includes disabled access and lifts.

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🚗🅿 There are two recommended car parks:-

i) Weir street car park which is next to the venue. Free parking in the evenings
ii) Melville street – one street away – also free in the evenings.