Margaret was born in 1848, the daughter of William MacKinnon and Margaret Morrison. Following her father's death the family became cottars at Quay.

Margaret became a domestic servant to the MacLennan family in Claddach Kyles, later marrying Bannatyne MacKinnon from 5 Cluer, which is where they made their home. They were to have eleven children together. Margaret's uncle Donald MacKinnon was living with them in 1881. In 1888 the family emigrated to Killarney, Manitoba.