The Institute, 138-140 Mid Street, Keith

The Institute, located at 138-140 Mid Street in Keith, was built between 1885 and 1889 by F D Robertson, with the construction dated to 1885. This two-storey building features an asymmetrical front with Italianate detailing. A prominent four-stage clock tower rises above the wallhead on the northeast side.

The building has a frontage made of tooled and polished ashlar, with rubble flanking the sides. The central bay is advanced and includes a round-headed entrance with a keystone and a semi-circular light above it. Paired Corinthian columns flank the upper window and support a pediment. To the left, there is an advanced rectangular bay, where all the windows are round-headed and keystoned, connected at the impost level by a continuous stringcourse. The windows feature 2-pane glazing.

The wallhead is corniced, and a low parapet with decorative detailing at the center is supported by end and angle dies that hold decorative urns. The building has coped end stacks and a piended slate roof with substantial roof lights.

The octagonal clock tower rises in four irregular height stages above the wallhead. The first stage has long slit lights, and the clock faces are positioned on alternate facets. The tower also features tiny paired openings, oculi, and a facetted dome topped with a crowning cupola.