A new exhibition opening in Thurso next month will celebrate the remarkable life and artistic legacy of one of Caithness’s best loved painters whose work still hangs proudly in homes across the county decades after his death.
Affectionately known as “Barrogill Keith” or simply “D.B. Keith”, David Barrogill Keith became one of the Highlands’ most distinctive artistic figures despite spending much of his professional life working not as a painter but as a lawyer and sheriff.
Now, more than four decades after his death, a major exhibition at the North Coast Visitor Centre will bring together artwork, archive material and personal stories exploring both the life and creativity of the Caithness artist.
‘The Life and Art of David Barrogill Keith’ opens on 6 June and has been curated by High Life Highland’s Archive Service team at Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives in collaboration with local collector Robert Maitland.
Born in Thurso, Keith initially trained in law at the University of Edinburgh before his passion for art led him to study painting at the Académie Delacluse in Paris and later drawing at Edinburgh College of Art.
His life was then interrupted by the First World War where he served on the Western Front before eventually returning home to continue his legal career.
Keith later became a partner at Keith and Murray Solicitors in Thurso before serving as Sheriff Substitute across Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney and Shetland.
Despite the demands of public life and the legal profession, he remained deeply committed to painting throughout his life and became known locally for both his prolific output and generosity.
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.”
Local collector Robert Maitland explained that his connection to Keith stretches back to childhood.
He said:
“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 then on, I began collecting his work simply because I love it.
“His style even shows elements of the Scottish Colourists.”
Maitland added that Keith’s generosity became part of local folklore throughout Caithness.
“When I was younger, almost every house I worked in had a Barrogill painting.
“He would often give them away to people.”
The exhibition runs from 6 to 27 June and will be open daily from 10am until 5pm.
For many in Caithness, it offers not only a chance to rediscover an important local artist, but also a reminder of a time when art, community and everyday Highland life were often far more closely connected.
