A schoolboy piper was reported to police for playing at Helensburgh’s Market in the Square last weekend.
But the next day Mark J Morrison responded by going to Applecross Nursing Home to play and sing for the residents.
Police were called to Colquhoun Square on Saturday after a complaint about noise, even though the 15 year-old from Alexandria said he had only been piping for 15 minutes before singing instead.
Afterwards he posted on his Facebook page: “Apologies to anyone who was sitting in Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, today waiting for the second half of my performance. I got a complaint about the noise so had to stop.
“All traders at the market were as shocked as I was!!”
This week Mark stressed that he didn’t hold any sort of grudge against the person who had complained, saying they had a right to do this and must have had a valid reason.
But over 230 people posted messages of support on his Facebook page after the incident on Saturday, with several praising him for cheering people up during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Mother’s Day Mark went to five care homes, singing and playing for residents, raising money for the NHS and donating three i-pads to critical care units.
He has also donated an afternoon tea to one care home, craft items to another and toiletries to another three.
During the lockdown he played at sheltered housing complexes, a hospital and birthday celebrations, and has raised money for charities including the Scottish Cot Death Trust, the Vale of Leven Autism and Aspergers Forum and Dumbarton District Women’s Aid.
Mark says he is unsure about playing at the Helensburgh market again, as although he has support from the organisers he is concerned about a second complaint to police.
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