Edinburgh bagpiper, 12, targeted by livestreaming mob

A 12-year-old bagpiper, Elliot Wilson, was targeted by a group of young people while busking in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens. The group, reportedly led by a social media influencer with a large following, surrounded the boy and livestreamed the encounter on platforms like TikTok.

During the incident, a mysterious black liquid was thrown at Wilson, staining his kilt and saturating his bagpipe case, rendering it unusable. Wilson’s mother, Lynsey Wilson, described the boy as being terrified during the encounter, though he attempted to play ‘Scotland the Brave’ before stopping.

Following the incident, a community fundraiser has raised approximately £16,000 to cover the costs of repairing equipment, cleaning the kilt, and supporting Wilson’s school pipe band. Police Scotland confirmed they have received reports of an assault on the minor and are investigating the matter.