Kevin Murison, a bagpiper in Ottawa, receives a mixed reaction from passersby when he performs on weekends. Despite a few negative responses, he mostly receives positive feedback from people expressing their admiration for his playing. Murison, 35, often busks in full Highland attire near the Ottawa Locks, next to the Château Laurier.
One memorable incident involved a tourist from Brazil who was moved to tears by Murison’s performance and even gave him her contact information for a potential future performance in South America. However, not all encounters have been positive. Murison recounted an incident where a man demanded he stop playing, threw a drink at him, and stole money from his open pipe case.
Recently, Murison faced a more serious threat while playing on a Saturday afternoon. A man approached him under the pretense of taking a photo but then revealed a knife. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in Murison sustaining a 15-centimetre gash in his bagpipe bag and requiring four stitches in his thumb.
Fortunately, a bystander called 911, leading to the swift arrival of the police. The suspect was apprehended nearby, thanks to another witness photographing the license plate. The 25-year-old man is now facing multiple charges, including assault with a weapon and breaching probation.
Despite the traumatic experience, Murison remains determined to continue pursuing his passion for playing the bagpipes. He believes the attack was targeted at his instrument rather than himself personally. The support from his band, Ottawa Caledonian Pipes and Drums, and the wider bagpiping community has been overwhelming, with his band already providing him with a new bag.
While Murison is currently recovering from his injuries, he is eager to return to busking once he has healed. Despite the unfortunate incident, he remains resolute in not letting it silence him and plans to resume his performances as soon as possible.