The family of a man who disappeared in Paisley may turn their search to Saltcoats after a medium suggested he could have gone to his childhood haunts.
Barry McCullagh went missing from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in the town on Wednesday, October 5, days after he suffered a seizure and began hallucinating.
Yesterday, his heartbroken family marked 100 days of anguish at not knowing what has happened to their beloved son, brother and father.
Barry was last seen on CCTV walking along Lounsdale Road outside the Lord Lounsdale pub around 5.33pm on October 5.
The 41-year-old – who had not been in his right mind at the time of his disappearance – was allowed out of the RAH at 5.20pm to have a cigarette but never returned.
He has since missed the passing of his brother Brian and the birth of his nephew Luca.
His sister Stacey told the Paisley Daily Express: “Going into the new year, we are just hoping that we hear something. It’s the not knowing that is the worst.
“My mum and I went to see a medium who came through and said he went to Troon.
“That was just before Christmas. I have been looking into that because Troon and Saltcoats, when we were younger, that is where we used to go for holidays.
“It holds a lot of happy memories for us. My mum has told the police about the reading.”
Stacey added: “She said he is still not of sound mind so that might explain it.
“I have added a Saltcoats community page on Facebook and we want to go down when the weather is a bit better to put posters up.”
Barry had been admitted to the RAH the night before he went missing on Tuesday, October 4.
He had been experiencing seizures for the previous 18 months and had taken a seizure on the previous Saturday.
When he began hallucinating and appeared agitated his worried family phoned an ambulance.
They thought Barry would be taken from his Castlemilk home to a Glasgow hospital but he was taken to the RAH where he was sedated.
The family hoped more tests would be carried out on the Wednesday when he appeared more relaxed but he went missing that evening.
His friends, family and willing volunteers from Paisley have since conducted countless searches around the hospital grounds, at the adjacent cricket pitches and along the nearby cycle path. No trace of him has ever been found.
Police, meanwhile, have also searched the local area using search dogs and marine units have also been deployed at Durrockstock Park and Castle Stanely reservoir.
Stacey added: “The last sighting of Barry was on CCTV outside that pub, the Lord Lounsdale Pub on the day he went missing. That’s the only sighting we know about.
“Mediums is something we put a lot of faith in. Me and my mum used to go and see one all the time. We think Saltcoats is worth a try, we just have to keep looking.”
The McCullagh family is hoping 2023 will be the year that brings Barry home and marks a brighter time.
As well as Barry’s disappearance, 2022 saw the family suffer the loss of his brother Brian who died after being in a coma for several months.
He passed away within days of Barry being reported missing. The birth of his nephew Luca has, however, brought some joy in what has been a tragic few months for the close-knit family.
Stacey added: “Christmas was really weird without the both of them here. His two sons really felt it and spent some time with my and my mum. April had Lucas which has brought us all some happiness.”
Barry is described as 5ft 9in in height, of medium build with short, black hair. When last seen, he was wearing navy jogging trousers, a black jumper with a zip, and silver trainers.
Chief Inspector William Graham, Renfrewshire Area Commander, said: “Since Barry was last seen extensive police searches have been carried out, including specialist resources. Anyone with information is urged to contact us.”
People with information on Barry's whereabouts can contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 3910 of October 5, 2022.
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
