Wilson, was born and grew up in
Kinlochleven and attended the Kinlochleven High School. He always wanted to be a musician and has said that it is the only thing "he's ever done". He has said that if he couldn't be a musician, he would have worked as a music producer or teach children how to be in a band. and can play instruments such as piano, guitar, bass, drums and banjo. He went to music school to learn the piano, and in his own words, can "play most things unless they have to be blown into". In 2000, he joined Glasgow band
Terra Diablo as guitarist. Whenever Terra Diablo supported Snow Patrol on tours, Wilson joined Snow Patrol on-stage as an unofficial member, contributing guitar and keyboards. On 16 March 2005, Snow Patrol bassist
Mark McClelland was fired from the band. Vocalist
Gary Lightbody asked Wilson to replace him. He played his first show as permanent member in
Dingle on 1 April 2005. In October 2006, during the
Eyes Open Tour, he injured his left arm and shoulder. Though wanting to continue, the band thought better and six concerts were subsequently cancelled. Wilson left Snow Patrol in September 2023 to focus on his
metal project named
Above as Below, releasing the song "Luna". ==Musical style==