Edinburgh Castle to light up purple to raise awareness of epilepsy

Edinburgh Castle will turn purple this week to support ‘Purple Day’, which aims to raise epilepsy awareness.

The Capital landmark will light up on Friday (March 26) in support of the campaign by Epilepsy Scotland, with celebrities such as KT Tunstall Janey Godley and Edith Bowman all backing the cause.

The Castle will be among a selection of local landmarks being lit up, including Edinburgh’s oldest purpose-built visitor attraction, the Camera Obscura, at the top of the Royal Mile.

The King’s Theatre, Prestonfield House, The Witchery and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) are also on board.

Across Scotland, landmarks such as Glasgow's SSE Hydro, RRS Discovery in Dundee, Abertay University and the Ness Bridge will also be lit up purple.

Leslie Young, chief executive of Epilepsy Scotland, said: “We are delighted that so many landmarks across the whole of Scotland are supporting our Paint the Town Purple campaign.

“These displays help us raise awareness of the condition with the aim of diminishing the social stigma that surrounds it.

“We hope to see people sharing their photos of their own purple day activities and pictures of landmarks and buildings being lit up purple on Purple Day.”

Edinburgh Castle will be lit up purple on Friday to raise awareness of epilepsy.

Founded in Canada by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan in 2008, Purple Day is a great opportunity to get people talking about epilepsy and dispel the myths and stigma attached to the condition.

Every year, Epilepsy Scotland works to get politicians, business leaders, schools, health professionals and members of the public to think and talk about epilepsy and help raise money for those living with the condition.

Several local councils and public bodies are proudly supporting Epilepsy Scotland’s epilepsy awareness campaign.

Epilepsy Scotland are asking for people to wear purple on Friday to raise awareness of epilepsy and donate £3 by texting PURPLEDAY to 70450.

They are also encouraging people to sign up to a Purple Day 5K and either walk, jog, run, or even hop to help raise money for the Scottish epilepsy charity, so it can continue to support the 55,000 people living with epilepsy in Scotland.

To get involved in Purple Day, email [email protected].

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