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Teen Piper's Future on Hold Due to Rare Illness
18 Feb
Summary
- A 19-year-old bagpiper diagnosed with PoTS cannot sit up.
- Her rare chronic illness has halted her dream of studying music.
- Scotland has very limited specialist care for PoTS patients.
A 19-year-old bagpiper from Carnoustie, Angus, faces an uncertain future after being diagnosed with PoTS (postural tachycardia syndrome) in December 2025. Known online as the Wheeled Piper, she experiences debilitating symptoms including a racing heart rate, dizziness, and shortness of breath, leaving her unable to sit up for extended periods. This condition has halted her dream of studying traditional piping at Glasgow's Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Katie, who has lived with arthritis and scoliosis since childhood, found her PoTS symptoms emerged last summer. Her journey to diagnosis was challenging, involving multiple GP visits and hospital admissions where her symptoms were initially attributed to stress or a temperature. She had to actively advocate for herself to receive a diagnosis at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Upon receiving her diagnosis days before Christmas 2025, Katie discovered a significant lack of specialist support for PoTS in Scotland. She learned that health boards are not tracking patients, and care pathways are insufficient, with experts like Prof Lesley Kavi of PoTS UK describing Scotland as one of the worst regions for care.
Despite ongoing monitoring and attempts to manage her condition with medication, Katie continues to struggle with daily life and her education due to exhaustion. She remains determined to fight for better treatment and to play her bagpipes again. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto expressed sympathy and stated funding is directed to specialties that can have the greatest impact, though not specifically for PoTS care.
