Margaret MacKillop was the daughter of John MacKillop and Ann MacKillop of 12 Borve. Born in 1915, she was a pupil at Berneray School between 1921 and 1934, although she spent a year at Leverburgh School between September 1924 and September 1925, a period which coincided with the death of her brother. 

Margaret had a son and later married Norman MacAulay of Creagorry Inn, with whom she was to have five more children.