Kevin Murison receives a range of responses when he performs with his bagpipes on a bustling sidewalk in Ottawa over the weekends, with the majority being positive. Murison, 35, often busks in traditional Highland attire on the bridge near the Ottawa Locks next to the Château Laurier. He has received numerous compliments praising his playing skills and expressing admiration for his music.
While playing last year, a tourist from Brazil was so moved by Murison’s performance that she cried, hugged him, and even offered her phone number for a potential visit to South America. However, there have been negative encounters as well, such as an individual who tried to stop Murison from playing, threw a drink at him, and stole money from his open case.
Despite these incidents, a recent event on a Saturday afternoon stands out for Murison. A man approached him under the guise of taking a photo but then revealed a knife. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in Murison sustaining a deep cut on his bagpipe bag and needing four stitches on his thumb.
Fortunately, a bystander called the police, leading to the prompt arrest of a 25-year-old suspect who now faces multiple charges, including assault with a weapon. The attack was unprovoked, according to Ottawa police.
Murison, who has been passionate about playing the bagpipes for about 15 years, believes that the attack was targeted at his instrument rather than himself. Despite the setback, he has received immense support from his band, Ottawa Caledonian Pipes and Drums, and the broader bagpiping community.
Due to his injuries, Murison will need some time to recover before he can resume playing. However, he remains determined not to let the incident silence him and plans to return to his spot on Wellington Street once he has fully healed.