Originally from Argyllshire, Ruth was educated at Inverurie Academy where she was a member of the school choir and played french horn in the school orchestra. Having completed a BA in modern languages at the University of Strathclyde, she decided to indulge her passion for horses and work as a groom for six months. Twenty years and several jobs later, including five years spent on the Black Isle and twelve on the Isle of Bute, she decided it was time for a career change.

After gaining a Diploma in Counselling from the University of Strathclyde Ruth worked as a counsellor in primary care for Ayrshire and Arran Health Board. In 2000, she decided on yet another career change joining the NYCoS office team for four days a week but still counselling in Ayrshire and privately. Ruth is currently NYCoS National Choirs Administrator and, as this now includes The National Girls Choir, she has recently given up her counselling work to work fulltime for NYCoS.

Ruth has been a member of the RSNO Chorus since 1989 and was Chorus President for three years. She also sings with other smaller groups including Cathures and The Accidentals. For a number of years she has been involved in organising concerts, and, in partnership with Christopher Bell, she runs Come and Sing Scotland.