Biography

Christine Stone was born in Upper Coll, Back, on the Isle of Lewis in 1961. Her father was Murdo MacDonald, Murchadh Choinnich Tomaisean, or Moley. Her grandfather had lived in Pollan Ruadh until they moved to Upper Coll. He was one of the raiders who raided land in Coll that had been promised to them after the war had ended. Thus, Christine's father was the first boy ever born in Upper Coll. Her mother was Màiri an Stal, and her parents ran the Post Office in Back for twenty years. Together, Murdo and Mary had six children, four girls and two boys.

Christine attended Back Primary School, the Nicolson Institute and then the University of Aberdeen to train as a primary school teacher. She worked in Aberdeen for two years after completing her training. Christine married Howard Stone in 1981. Although Howard was born in England, he spent most of his life in Helmsdale. They met in the church in Aberdeen when they were both at university, and they had six children, two girls and four boys. The family moved to Dundee, where they stayed for nearly five years. Howard, who was a biochemist at Ninewells Hospital, wanted to study for the ministry and they moved to Edinburgh to allow him to do so. In 1993, they moved to Castletown in Caithness, where Howard was a minister with the Free Church until he retired in 2025.

Christine has been singing for as long as she can remember, and was always supported by her parents. Her father was good at teaching the family the psalms. Her mother took them to the local Mòd every year, where they enjoyed great success. Christine enjoys singing but does not like taking part in competitions. Despite this she won the Traditional Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Dunoon in 2012. While she lived in Edinburgh, Morag MacLeod [483] helped her significantly with her singing. Morag at that time was working at the School of Scottish Studies.

Christine often sings at ceilidhs around Caithness and is a member of the Melvich Gaelic Choir.