Catherine, known as Kate, was born in 1859, the youngest child of John MacAskill of croft 7 Ruisgarry (Lag a' Chealla) and his second wife Marion MacLeod. Kate became a domestic servant before marrying Donald MacLeod of Quay in 1883. Together they had seven children.

In 1887, following the death of her mother, Kate was passed a third share of croft 7, which she subsequently passed onto her brother Duncan.