Marion was born in about 1805, the daughter of Robert Ferguson and Rachel Morrison of 16 Carinish, North Uist. She married farmer Angus MacAskill of old Ruisgarry, where they settled. Her husband died about 1845, leaving Marion to care for their four young children. In 1850, on the relotting of the Ruisgarry crofts, Marion became a cottar on 2 Ruisgarry (Sandhill), and in 1854 at Brusda.

It seems likely that she moved to Bornish, South Uist, as did her sons, some time after 1861.