Light up the Highlands 2025
This year we celebrate 30 years since we first invited our supporters to Light up the Highlands.
Three decades on, this special appeal continues to see us come together as a community to remember those dear to us, shine a light on the care your Hospice provides throughout the Highlands, and show compassion to those needing our support this Christmas.
Whether you are remembering someone dear to you or simply showing your support to your local Hospice, each light shines through in the care we give to those who need us this Christmas and beyond.
Please read Tracey’s Story below which not only encapsulates what Light up the Highlands is all about but how important the services of Highland Hospice are to local families.
Tracey's Story
Tracey’s Story as told by her sister, Hazel
Growing up, Christmas was always special in our family.
Mum was so organised – presents were bought and wrapped well in advance and hidden at Nana and Papa’s house. The turkey was cooked on Christmas Eve and all the potatoes and vegetables prepared.
Once Tracey and I were safely tucked up in bed, Nana and Papa would come round with all the presents that had been stored at theirs and would help lay them out.
On Christmas Day we’d wake up and run downstairs to see if Santa had been – which of course he had! We’d spend the day playing with our new toys, the television would be switched on at 3pm for the Queen’s speech and then we would have our meal – a hearty bowl of soup, turkey with all the trimmings (including mums amazing pigs in blankets and homemade stuffing) followed by Nana’s trifle.
Once Tracey and I had left home in our twenties, we still looked forward to returning for Christmas, and then when Tracey and Inglis married, we often spent the day at their house. When their girls, Leah and Amy, came along, the magic of our childhood Christmases returned.
Christmas was always a huge event for Tracey both as a child and an adult. This was something she loved to share with Leah and Amy – Christmas Day was always the most joyous family occasion.
This will be my first Christmas without my sister. Tracey passed away aged just 53 on 17th June 2025 in the loving care of Highland Hospice, just over a year after being told she had stage 4 ovarian cancer. It felt fitting that her last moments were at the Hospice, which had been such a big part of her journey in that last year. She had attended the Ladies Group every Wednesday morning and this became her safe space, where she could freely share how she was feeling with people who would understand. Encouraged by this new tight-knit circle she even took part in a Calendar Girls style photoshoot and then Catwalk for a Cause to help raise funds.
Christmas 2025 is going to be incredibly hard without Tracey there to celebrate with us, but we will spend Christmas Day together, continuing with our usual family traditions and sharing lovely memories of the beautiful person Tracey was. Gone but certainly not forgotten.
I dedicate my light on the Hospice tree to my wonderful sister, Tracey.
Our Online Service
Join us for our Online Service which will be available to view from 6pm on 1st December. You can watch it here or on our Facebook page or YouTube channel.
Falcon Square Tree Light Switch On
Get into the spirit of Christmas and come along to the Light Up The Highlands Christmas Lights Switch on at Falcon Square outside Eastgate Shopping Centre on Sunday 23rd November 4-4.30 pm.