I can't see a Hugh McDonald born circa 1852 on Scotlands People - but it doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't born in Barrhead, Scotland. Compulsory registration of births began in 1855 in Scotland, prior to that they are recorded on the Old Parish Registers (OPR). Also it may be that he was Catholic.
Do you have any details of his father/mother and I could look at the census information in Barrhead. I can't find a Hugh McDonald on 1861 census for Barrhead either.
Regards
Murphyz