On Oct. 12, Elliot Wilson— a 12‑year‑old bagpiper from Edinburgh— was performing on Princes Street Gardens when a group in black hurled a sticky substance onto his kilt and pipe case.
Immediately after the attack, Wilson posted a video and opened a GoFundMe page that initially aimed to cover the cost of dry‑cleaning his kilt and buying a replacement pipe case.
Within 48 hours, donations from more than 1,200 people surged to £19,000, far exceeding the £3,000 target set by the piper.
On Friday, Wilson presented a cheque to Preston Lodge Pipe Band. The band will use the £9,000 earmarked for a second‑hand drum set, with the remainder covering instruments, uniforms, and travel expenses. "This boost helps us keep young people in the music," said Pipe Major Lee More.
Wilson thanked the community, saying, "Your kindness has meant more to us than we can put into words." The incident, once a traumatic moment, has become a testament to local solidarity and the power of music to heal.
Band members plan to allocate the funds toward new uniforms and upcoming competitions, while the school celebrates the generosity.