Mackays Hotel turns purple to shine light on epilepsy awareness
Mackays Hotel in Wick will light up purple to help raise awareness of epilepsy for Purple Day on March 26.
The owners of Mackays Hotel also lit up the building in purple lights on January 27 for International Holocaust Remembrance Day which marked 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi-era death camp by Soviet troops towards the end of WW2.
The hotel will join over 40 iconic Scottish landmarks to be illuminated in purple for the international day of epilepsy awareness.
From the historic Edinburgh Castle to the modern Glasgow Science Centre, these purple beacons will spotlight a condition affecting over 80,000 Scots.
Purple Day, established in 2008 by nine-year-old Canadian Cassidy Megan, has evolved into a global movement challenging epilepsy stigma and misconceptions.
This year's campaign promises to be the most extensive yet, with the RRS Discovery, Ness Bridge, and Wallace Tower joining the nationwide purple illumination to support Epilepsy Scotland.
"These purple displays across Scotland's skyline do more than catch the eye – they spark crucial conversations about epilepsy," says Lesslie Young OBE, chief executive of Epilepsy Scotland. "By lighting up our most recognised landmarks, we're illuminating the path toward a better understanding of a condition that remains misunderstood by many."
Now Epilepsy Scotland is inviting communities across the nation to get involved and participate in purple-themed fundraising activities to mark the occasion.
From sponsored walks to wear purple days or bake sales to community gatherings, public fundraising efforts will contribute to Epilepsy Scotland’s annual £700,000 fundraising goal and will allow continued delivery of vital, personalised support services to individuals living with epilepsy.
Join the purple movement by organising your events in school, your workplace or in your local community group and share what you are doing using #PurpleDay2025.
For more information about Purple day or how you can get involved, visit epilepsyscotland.org.uk/purple-day
You can also email: fundraising@epilpesyscotland.org.uk.
