If you grew up in Caithness, there's a good chance you've seen a Barrogill Keith painting without knowing it. His work found its way into homes across the county — often gifted freely by the man himself — and now a new exhibition at our North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso is bringing his remarkable story to a wider audience.
'The Life and Art of David Barrogill Keith' opens on 6 June, and we're proud to have played a central role in putting it together.
From Thurso to Paris and back again
David Barrogill Keith was born in Thurso and trained as a lawyer at the University of Edinburgh — but his path soon took a creative turn. He went on to study painting at the Académie Delacluse in Paris and drawing at Edinburgh College of Art, developing the distinctive style that would follow him throughout his life.
When the First World War broke out, Keith served on the Western Front. He returned home safely and resumed his legal career, eventually becoming a partner at Keith & Murray Solicitors in Thurso and later serving as Sheriff-Substitute of Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney and Shetland.
Despite a demanding professional life, he never stopped painting. In retirement, he devoted even more time to his art and writing. He died in 1980 at his home at Thurso East, aged 88.
How the exhibition came together
The exhibition has been curated by our Archive Service team at Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives, working alongside local antique and art collector Robert Maitland, who has spent decades collecting Keith's work.
Our archivist Jamie McCaffrey said: "Nucleus is delighted to be part of the team bringing together this new exhibition. It showcases wonderful artwork from the collection of local antique dealer and avid D.B. Keith collector Robert Maitland, alongside research from Alan McIvor and the Caithness Archive Team, as well as materials from the Keith family archives held at Nucleus.
"Through artwork and archival material, the exhibition aims to provide insight into Keith's extraordinary character and experiences, highlighting the creativity, intellect and determination that defined his life."
A personal connection
For Robert Maitland, the connection to Barrogill Keith goes back a long way.
"I received my first painting from Barrogill Keith himself when I was just 13. I was working for my dad during the summer holidays while he was painting at Barrogill's house. I used to tidy up and often found myself admiring his artwork. One day he noticed my interest, and at the end of the job he gifted me one of his paintings."
From that point on, Maitland began collecting in earnest — not as an investment, but out of genuine love for the work. He notes that Keith's style shows elements of the Scottish Colourists, and that his generosity was legendary locally.
"When I was younger, almost every house I worked in had a Barrogill painting. He would often give them away to people."
Almost every house I worked in had a Barrogill painting. He would often give them away to people.
Come and see it for yourself
'The Life and Art of David Barrogill Keith' runs from 6 to 27 June at the North Coast Visitor Centre, High Street, Thurso. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Visit the exhibition
Come and explore the life and art of David Barrogill Keith at our North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso, 6–27 June
