Judith Mary MacGregor

Title: 
Lady
Other names: 
Mrs David Steel, Mrs Judith Steel, Lady Steel, Judy
Dates: 
born 1940

Judith Mary MacGregor was born in Dollar, Clachmannanshire in 1940. She studied Law at Edinburgh University and had a short legal career.

In 1962 she married David Martin Scott Steel (born 31 March 1938) whom she met a university. He is a politician, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Lord (Baron) Steel of Aikwood and now Life Peer in the House of Lords. They have 3 children: Graeme, Catriona Judith born 1967 and Rory, as well as an adopted son William (Billy).

Judith is a writer, poet, playwright and journalist. Her works include an anthology of horse poetry, Horse Tales and Saddle Songs, with foreword by the Princess Royal and proceeds going to Riding for the Disabled charity; The Journey of Jeannie Deans, a play based on the book Heart of Midlothian by Walter Scott; The Witches of Traquair, The Soldier’s Tale and A Tale of the Martyrs, adaptations of work by James Hogg; Politics and the Mayfly and The Herd of Standlan from that of John Buchan; Tales from the Tap End; numerous collaborative works. In 1987 she founded the Rowan Tree Theatre Company in the Scottish Borders.

In 1992 Judith and David began renovating A Listed 16th Century Peel Tower, Aikwood Tower in the Ettrick Valley near Selkirk. It is now owned and run by their youngest son for hospitality and events, while the couple have retired to Selkirk.

Images: 
Judith Mary MacGregor (Judy Steel)
Sources
David Steel
Biographical article
David Martin S and Judith Mary MacGregor
SR Marriages Search Return
The Journey of Jeannie Deans by Judy Steel
Publisher's biography
Catriona Bhatia
Biographical article
Steel family set to open a new chapter on Ettrick’s historic Aikwood Tower
Newspaper article
David Steel: Liberal conscience
Newspaper article