Mini-Gist Hits Callendar.

Now before we start, I did not write any of this blog. That's all down to my old pal Tom Morton. I did take the photos right enough.


Imagine visiting a strange, but lovely town: you want to spend some time there, but how can you find out, instantly, which restaurants have special lunchtime offers, where to buy the best discount knitwear and who's playing at the local pub's music session?

In Callander, this summer, it will be easy: switch on your mobile phone's Bluetooth facility and, as you move about the town - one of the jewels of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park - regularly-updated information from the town's businesses and attractions will tell you what's happening and, using full colour maps, show you where.

What's more, it’s all free. There are no costly download charges to the phone user and it is perfectly secure.

The system is called Mini-GIST (Miniaturised Geographical Information System for Tourism) and it turns each visitor's mobile phone into a fount of local knowledge. It's a unique, innovative and easy to use system developed by the Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing Research Group at Glasgow Caledonian University and adapted for Callander Enterprise with support from Stirling Council and Glasgow Caledonian University's KIT-Out the Park Project.

It's like having your own personal tour guide.

Derek Gallaher, manager of the KIT-Out the Park Project, which is helping co-ordinate the pilot scheme, due to start at the end of May, said it was tremendously exciting.
"Mini-GIST gives local businesses in Callander not only a chance to advertise themselves for free, but its adaptability means they can update offers and events as they happen. For tourists, the maps and information just open up the community for them in a completely new, intuitive and exciting way."

Frank Park, Chairman of local business group Callander Enterprise said:
"We're really excited. This system can instantly transmit tourist data to people's mobile phones via Bluetooth, from local access points throughout the town. The information will feature businesses and attractions that a tourist will find interesting, and can be filtered via special maps rather than a boring list of numbers. We can't wait to get the project active for this summer."

So this summer, why not head for Ben Ledi and the town at its foot, switch on your phone's Bluetooth facility, and browse your way through Callander!

For more information see:
www.mucom.mobi
www.kit-out.org

Elvis Hasn't Left The Building !

You see some scary sights walking around Glasgow.

Well how about this lot?

Don't worry, it was all for a good cause as they were on a charity "night out" to collect money for children's cancer research.

"You can take our photie for a few quid" said Elvis. What a bargain!

Does Anyone Know Where This Is ?

Answers on a postcard please.

This Could Be The Answer !!!!

Now this seems like a novel way of getting around and helping to save the planet at the same time. Everyone was peddling away like mad and seemed to be having great fun.

I think the guy at the back was in charge.

Champions...... Again !

Last Saturday morning took me to Ibrox Stadium for the Glasgow Schools under 15 final.

My youngest son Andrew was playing for Hermitage Academy and the scene was set for a cracking game. I was surprised that the teams didn't look at all out of place in such a
huge stadium. In fact they seemed quite at home and soon settled down and Hermitage started to constantly attack the Eastbank goal. It was nil,nil at half time.

With ten minutes to go, Andrew rattled one off the woodwork but minutes later Kieran Millar opened the score with a peach of a strike. Super sub Jamie Steeples, made the match safe shortly after and Hermitage took the game 2-0.

It was a great team effort and once again, credit should be given to the coach, Mr Morgan for taking them to their second cup win in a row.

Could it be a hat trick next year?

Start Em Young !

You will remember me banging on recently about Shine A Light, the Scorsese movie featuring the Rolling Stones, well I spotted this entry in The List magazine.

Now whether this would actually be a practical idea or not remains a mystery to me. It had to be one of the loudest movies I've ever been to. Could it be a new form of early therapy for nippers ?

Edwyn Collins, Oran Mor, Glasgow, 22 April 2008

If there was ever a more apt use of the old saying, "Where there is life, there is hope", this had to be it.

Edwyn Collins is back and what a performance he put in last night at Oran Mor. The gig was completely sold out and the crowd were loving it.

To come back from his terrible illness and put on a show like he did is nothing short of miraculous. He played tunes from his latest album and some classics as well.


I wish him well for the future.