12-year-old boy targeted by mob dressed in black as he played bagpipes in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens
‘Elliot was quite distressed by the whole thing - it was really intimidating’ - Lynsey Wilson
A mother has told how her 12-year-old son was allegedly targeted by a mob of boys dressed in black while he was busking on the bagpipes in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens.
Elliot Wilson was allegedly shouted at, intimidated and had an unknown liquid thrown at him, while the whole incident was being streamed live. His mother, Lynsey Wilson, said he had been "very distressed" by the experience but had vowed not to be put off busking.
She said: "It all happened very quickly. Elliot was busking at his usual place in Princes Street Gardens and there was just a mob of boys came up, all dressed in black.
"The group was live streaming and approached Elliot and started shouting at him to play the bagpipes for him.
"The group surrounded Elliot and Elliot was pressurised to play for them. But normal people who listen to Elliot busking stand three metres away, these guys were right up round him. I couldn't get to him to help. I was just watching it from the back of all these youths.
"What happened in the end was there was liquid thrown on Elliot and his bagpipe case.”
She said his kilt was also hit by the liquid. "We couldn't put the pipes back in the case because the case was saturated with this liquid and pretty ruined.
"Elliot was quite distressed by the whole thing - it was really intimidating. They were right up in his face.
"I was just relieved when they went away and Elliot was ok."
Elliot has been playing the pipes for three years and enjoys busking in Princes Street Gardens when he's not performing with Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band in competitions.
Mrs Wilson said she always goes with him and stands nearby. "We've been about four times over the summer. He loves it - and we've had some really lovely interactions with members of the public and tourists.
"Piping is expensive - that's why he does the busking, to try to raise money to buy a new chanter and things like that.”
She said after the incident they had gone to the St James Quarter to try to get Elliot cleaned up. She spoke to one of the security guards, who took them to guest services and gave them all they needed. "After such a traumatic experience, it was really nice to have someone be so kind to us."
Mrs Wilson said they had filled in an online report on the incident for the police. "We don't want it to happen to anybody else."
Police Scotland has been approached for comment.