Emma lived in Ross-shire as a child, attending Bridgend Primary School and, later, Alness Academy. In her late teens, she moved to Inverness for a temporary position at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), alongside casual Deliveroo work on her bike. When she was 19, she accepted a position with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Emma now lives in Merkinch, Inverness.

In 2019, Emma was elected as councillor for Inverness Central in the local by-election; a role which she maintained alongside her parliamentary position until May 2022.

She sat on the Inverness Area, South Planning Applications, Housing, and Health and Social Care Committees and was a board member of the Merkinch Partnership.

During lockdown, Emma ran a COVID-19 support group in her local area, working with other volunteers to support those who were shielding or isolating with getting their shopping, medications, and other essentials.

Having personal experience of mental health issues, Emma champions reform of mental health services. In 2020, following a successful and years-long petition, she succeeded in having an option for mental health emergencies added to Scotland’s NHS24 service.

At 23, Emma was the youngest MSP elected in the 2021 Scottish Parliament Elections.

Prior to her appointment as a Scottish Government Minister, Emma was the Deputy Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee and was a member of the Cross-Party Groups on Disability, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions, Mental Health, Women’s Health, Housing, and Poverty, as well as co-convening the LGBTI+ CPG.

Following the appointment of Humza Yousaf MSP as First Minister in March 2023, Emma was asked to join the Scottish Government and became Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees.

Emma is proud to have been a part of that government and had the privilege to work on the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan which is so important in her region.

After returning to the backbenches, Emma got straight to work as a member of the Local Government, Housing and Planning; Rural Affairs and Islands; and Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committees.

She lodged amendments to a number of bills, including the Housing Bill, the Scottish Languages Bill, and the Natural Environment Bill, taking forward issues she worked on with constituents and special interest groups.

Emma has managed to take forward many policy issues outwith legislation, including securing a commitment from the Scottish Government to revise guidance for homeless young people claiming Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), extending under-22 bus travel to inter-island ferries, and ensuring priority access for community groups in taking on energy development opportunities.

She Co-Convenes the Social Enterprise CPG with fellow Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess.

Emma is passionate about social justice and tackling issues facing her region such as the housing crisis and rural poverty. In addition to her MSP role, she serves as a board member of the local mental health charity Centred.

In her spare time, she takes part in local art groups and comedy clubs, plays several instruments, and is a season ticket holder for her beloved Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

In May 2025, Emma was selected by local SNP members to contest the 2026 election as the SNP candidate for Inverness and Nairn, the constituency in which she lives.

She continues to campaign, knocking doors and delivering leaflets as she has for many years as an activist herself.