A PICTURE OF HEALTH

Art may seem a frivolous pursuit in the midst of a pandemic, but it is in fact creativity which is keeping many of us distracted. From the lovingly painted rainbows displayed in windows, to signing up for virtual painting lessons – we are all in need of an outlet or two. You may have always been an art lover; a regular visitor to galleries which have since fallen silent.

Or perhaps lockdown has enabled you to discover the wealth of talented Scottish artists, their work providing a glimmer of light as the weeks pass by.

Whatever your persuasion, David Reid is the man to know.

Born and bred in Aberdeen, he has returned to the Granite City having spent decades yearning for the north-east.

His impressive career as partner in property firm Knight Frank saw David spend much of his life in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

As each big birthday rolled around, he vowed he would one day return to his roots.

Having arrived back in his home city, he opted to buy the Kittybrewster and Brig of Dee bars.

But what could a former property expert turned pub landlord possibly know about art? Rather a lot, as it happens.

Both a passionate collector and careful buyer, David opened Ballater Gallery last June.

With trade partly reliant on passing tourists in the popular Deeside burgh, Covid-19 could have easily ended this fledgling business before it had really begun.

There is actually no shortage of customers, with paintings currently sent all over the world.

The gallery boasts some of Scotland’s biggest names, including Jack Morrocco, Iain Faulkner and Glen Scouller.

But with the doors firmly closed, how is David managing to trade so successfully?

Here, he explains how some clever adaptations and a true love of art have enabled him to move forward.

I am an avid lover of art, and I’ve gradually built my own collection over the years.

I think it all started in my early 20s, when I worked for two Aberdeen businessmen.

They were collectors, and of course I caught the bug.

I had never been into rugby or football, I had discovered my passion at long last.

PASSION: Gallery owner David Reid first ‘caught the art bug’ in his 20s while working for two Aberdeen businessmen, and his collection has gradually grown since then