Police have confirmed that a man’s body was found inside a vehicle at Springkerse Retail Park on Thursday, 30 July, as officers carried out searches for a missing campervan owner.
Search for missing Hawick man
The discovery comes after 58-year-old George McCulloch was reported missing earlier in the week. He had been travelling from Oban in a white Volkswagen campervan with his Jack Russell and was expected home in Hawick but did not arrive. Family members had been growing increasingly concerned before the search began.
Police update and next steps
Police Scotland said formal identification of the body is yet to take place but that George’s family have been informed. The force described the death as unexplained, but not suspicious, and said a report would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.
"The body of a man was found within a vehicle in Springkerse Retail Park on Thursday, 30 July, 2026. Formal identification is yet to take place, however George’s family have been made aware. The death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course."
Local impact and immediate aftermath
Officers searching for the missing man located his dog alive; the animal is currently in the care of Police Scotland. The finding of a body at a busy retail site will be of concern to local residents and to those who had been assisting in searches across the region.
- Missing person: George McCulloch, aged 58
- Vehicle: white Volkswagen campervan
- Location where body found: Springkerse Retail Park, Stirling
- Dog: Jack Russell, recovered alive and in police care
Timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Monday, 27 July | Mr McCulloch last seen leaving Oban in his campervan with his dog |
| Thursday, 30 July | Body of a man found in a vehicle at Springkerse Retail Park; dog found alive |
Police inquiries remain ongoing as formal identification is completed and further steps are taken by the Procurator Fiscal. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Police Scotland.
Local residents who were involved in searches or who knew Mr McCulloch will be waiting for confirmation and further detail from investigators. At this stage, the police line that the death is not being treated as suspicious will provide some reassurance, but questions will remain until formal identification and cause of death are established.
More updates will follow as the formal processes of identification and reporting to the Procurator Fiscal progress.
