Mhairi was born and brought up in Aviemore, which lies in the heart of the central Highlands of Scotland. She has performed internationally and recorded with many leading musicians, bands and singers and is regarded as one of the finest and most creative pianists from Scotland. She received the Hands up for Trad IGNITION AWARD 2020 for 'Innovation in Music' for Airs.
Throughout 2025 Mhairi has received a large commission to compose music for The BusC Project - a large social science project that is based in the Cairngorms National Park. Throughout the year, she will write music based on the care of three pieces of land; Lynnbreck Croft, Carrbridge Community Orchard and the Wildlands Estate.
Mhairi has two previous self-releases; her debut album Cairngorm with her Trio. She spectacularly launched it at the top of Cairngorm mountain to great acclaim. The follow-up in 2013 saw the release of a specially collaborated live album Contours of Cairngorm, performed by her trio, Patsy Reid and the Edinburgh Quartet. Both of these albums were produced by Irish legend Donal Lunny (Planxty, Moving Hearts, Bothy Band).
She is currently producing the second album for acclaimed Gaelic singer Mairi MacMillan, which will be set for release later in the year. As a musical director, she notably took the helm for Sabhal Mor Ostaig's large 50th celebration concert at Celtic Connections in February 2023, featuring a host of Gaelic music stars and broadcast for BBC Alba.
