The iconic Paisley actor who starred in Porridge and features on town's Walk of Fame

A stone commemorating legendary Paisley -born actor Fulton Mackay has been laid on the town’s Piazza.

The star of stage and screen is among the first batch of famous names to be included on the Buddie Walk of Fame – a trail that seeks to highlight the brightest and best to come from the area.

Mackay was born in Paisley in 1922 and went on to have a distinguished career as an actor renowned for his commanding presence.

But Mackay had a tough start in life when his mother died of diabetes complications when he was just a boy living in Underwood Lane.

His father William was in the Navy and the young Fulton faced destitution until an aunt took him in along with her four daughters in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

“He didn’t look on them as sisters really because they were all a bit older than him,” explained one of Fulton’s second-cousins, Theresa Millar.

“I think he looked on them all as aunties but they were very close. He never lost touch with them. The youngest, Jean, was my mother-in-law who lived in Paisley, and so he was often back in the town visiting her.”

Indeed, the connection between them was so strong that Jean, who would go on to have four sons with Archie Millar, would name her third son Robin Fulton Millar – Theresa’s late husband – in honour of her cousin.

Theresa said: “Robin and I met as teenagers and Fulton was often about his mum’s house then, that’s how I got to know him, but the boys had always known him.

“Robin and I married young and he was very, very kind to us. He did a lot for us, was extremely kind, very gracious, very funny.”

Mackay’s breakthrough came in the 1960s when he began appearing in British television dramas.

He is best remembered for his role as Mr Mackay in the acclaimed sitcom Porridge (1974–1977) where his portrayal of the stern yet comical prison officer brought him widespread recognition and affection.

The show, set in a fictional British jail, became a small-screen staple and Mackay’s performance was central to its success.

In addition to Porridge, Mackay’s career spanned various genres and mediums. He appeared in films such as ‘Local Hero’ (1983) and ‘Night Train to Murder’ (1984), where his versatility allowed him to take on a range of characters from intense dramatic roles to eccentric supporting parts.

As his stature in the acting world grew, Fulton remained humble and true to his roots. He was a mentor to Succession actor Brian Cox and friends with Nanette Newman and Bryan Forbes – but with family it was as if he was no more special than anyone else.

Theresa explained: “He was held in such high regard but, in a private setting, he didn’t talk about that, he was just Fulton – plain and simple Fulton.”

Later in life, Fulton would turn to philanthropy.

“He put a lot of money into projects and charities,” explained Theresa. “But he was so unassuming he wouldn’t boast about any of that or tell you any of that.

“But I know for a fact that he did, he was very charitable, he set up a children’s charity in Glasgow.”

The Buddie Walk of Fame trail, launched in July, was created to reflect on the town’s rich heritage and features key landmarks throughout the Paisley First Business Investment District area.

The first set of stars on the trail are Tom Conti, John Byrne, Gerry Rafferty, Paolo Nutini, Phyllis Logan, David Tennant, Gerard Butler, Fulton Mackay, Norrie Sweeney and Paisley’s Mill Girls. A trail guide is downloadable from Paisley First’s website – www.paisleyfirst.com – and printed copies of the guide are available throughout the town.

Plans are in place to produce a Buddie Walk of Fame app and it’s hoped future phases with even more Buddies commemorated will follow.

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