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Born in Glasgow, Whiteford studied at Glasgow School of Art (1969-73) then read Art History at Glasgow University (1974-76). A British Council Scholarship to Rome in 1977 proved important in her artistic development, not least operating using a restricted palette. She was artist-in-residence at St Andrews University in 1982-83, and enjoyed a similar position at London's Whitechapel Gallery in 1984-85. Since about 1980 ancient symbols have been of major influence in her work which is often large scale and evocative of myths and rites. Her profile was raised in 1987 when she created three huge land-works on Edinburgh's Calton Hill, using white stone chippings laid in a shallow trench and describing fish and spiral motifs. She was elected RSA in 2006.