Princes Street piper raises more than £2,000 to replace "ruined" kit after confrontation with mob of boys
Generous members of the public rallied around the young piper to encourage him to keep playing after the ‘intimidating’ incident
A 12-year-old piper who allegedly had an unknown liquid thrown at him by a mob of boys on Saturday afternoon has been “blown away” by the outpouring of support and donations he has received.
More than £2,000 has been raised after Elliot Wilson launched a crowdfunding page to help him dry clean his kilt and buy a replacement for his much-loved pipe case which Fife-based Kingdom Thistle Pipe Band Supplies has offered to replace for free.
Mum Lynsey Wilson said: “The kindness of strangers has been very overwhelming.”
The Princes Street Gardens busker said his case was “ruined” after the group dressed in black, who were live-streaming the incident, allegedly came up close to him and started demanding he play for them. He alleged one of the boys then threw a sticky liquid at him and his case.
According to Mrs Wilson, her son threatened to never busk again following the incident.
“Elliot was quite distressed by the whole thing - it was really intimidating. They were right up in his face,” she said.
While Mrs Wilson was relieved that Elliot was OK, he could no longer use his case as it was soaked through by the sticky liquid.
Those donating were quick to tell the teenager to not let the incident put him off pursuing his passion, with one person saying: “Stay positive and focus on keep doing what you do so well.”
One generous individual donated £500 to the fundraiser, any extra money from which will help support the Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band.
The 12-year-old competes with the pipe band which managed to retain its title as the world’s best state school pipe band in August.
The influx of donations “really means a lot” to the young piper who first picked up the bagpipes three years ago.
“So many people have sent messages of support and kindness, and it has genuinely helped me after what happened,” Elliot said.
His mum added: “It’s unbelievable. We’ve been blown away by it, we really have.
“It has made Elliot feel so much happier about what has happened to him.”
The family reported the incident to Police Scotland in a bid to stop it happening to “anybody else”.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On Saturday, 19 September, 2026, we received a report of an assault on a 12-year-old boy which took place around 3pm in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. Officers will speak to the reporter to gather more details.
"Anyone with information that may assist should contact 101, quoting incident number 3624 of 19 September."