Margaret Elphinstone was born in Kent. She studied at Queen's College in London and Durham University. She was until recently, Professor of Writing in the Department of English Studies at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, now retired. Her academic research areas are Scottish writers and the literature of Scotland's offshore islands.

She did extensive study tours in Iceland, Greenland, Labrador and the United States. She lived for eight years in the Shetland Islands and is the mother of two children.

Before becoming professor in Glasgow in 2003, she worked at a variety of jobs in different locations. Some of her experiences were later used in her books:

• Islanders is based on her participation in archaeological excavations on the Shetland island of Papa Stour.
• Two garden books emerged after her work as a gardener in Galloway.
• Voyageurs arose after a one-year stay at Central Michigan University and canoeing adventures on the Ottawa River.

• 1990 Scottish Arts Council Writer's Bursary
• 1991 Scottish Arts Council Travel Award

for The Sea Road

• 1993 Scottish Arts Council Writer's Bursary
• 1994 Scottish Arts Council Travel Award
• 2001 Scottish Arts Council Spring Book Award

for Hy Brasil

• 1997 Scottish Arts Council Writer's Bursary

for Voyageurs

• 2000 Scottish Arts Council Writer's Bursary