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 full Highland attire on the bridge near the Ottawa Locks, next to the Château Laurier. He shared that while some passersby cover their ears, he receives numerous compliments praising his music.
Last year, a tourist from Brazil was so moved by his performance that she cried, hugged Murison, and even offered her phone number in case he ever visits South America. However, not all encounters have been pleasant. Murison recounted an incident where a man demanded he stop playing, threw a drink at him, and stole money from his open pipe case.
Despite these experiences, nothing compared to an unfortunate event that occurred on a Saturday afternoon. Murison sustained a 15-centimeter gash in his bagpipe bag and required four stitches on his thumb following an altercation.
Murison narrates that while playing on his usual spot on Saturday around 4 p.m., a man approached him under the guise of taking a photo together. To his surprise, the man brandished a knife during the interaction, leading to a scuffle that left Murison injured. Fortunately, a bystander called for emergency assistance, leading to the apprehension of the suspect nearby.
The attacker, a 25-year-old man facing multiple charges including assault with a weapon and breaching probation, was detained following the incident. Local authorities stated that the attack was unprovoked.
Despite the ordeal, Murison remains committed to his passion for bagpipes, which he embraced about 15 years ago. He performs at various events with his band, Ottawa Caledonian Pipes and Drums, aside from busking. Murison expressed gratitude for the support received from his bandmates and the wider bagpiping community, who have provided him with a new bag.
Although Murison needs time to recover before resuming his performances, he is determined not to let the incident silence him. He looks forward to returning to the streets and sharing his music once he has fully healed.