Smith was born in
Edinburgh, and attended
George Watson's College before going on to the
University of Edinburgh to study politics and economics and gain a
Diploma in Education. After graduating, she returned to George Watson's College as a member of the staff, where she taught economics and
modern studies. Smith left the teaching profession in 1997 to work as an advisor to Sir
Malcolm Rifkind. Between 2001 and 2003, she worked at the Scottish Conservatives' central office, as head of the office of the chairman. A keen sportswoman, Smith played club cricket for many years, but was not given an opportunity to play at a higher level until 2000, when the
Scottish national side was reassembled for the first time since 1979. Her first match for the national team came against
Cumbria, an English county team, but she neither batted nor bowled as her team cruised to a ten-wicket victory. In 2001, Smith was selected in the Scottish squad for the
2001 European Championship, where matches held
One Day International (ODI) status. On her international debut against
England, she was 41 years and 164 days old, making her the fourth-oldest ODI debutant on record, and the oldest to debut since 1978. Smith made nine-ball
ducks against both England and
Ireland, and against the
Netherlands. Smith remains the oldest Scottish player, male or female, to appear in a full ODI. She has remained involved in promoting the sport since retiring, and in April 2014, following a reconstitution of the organisation, was elected the inaugural president of the Scottish Women's Cricket Association (SWCA), aligned with
Cricket Scotland. Outside of cricket, Smith has an interest in mountaineering and
hillwalking, having taken part in expeditions to the Alps and the Himalayas. Smith was appointed
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the
2024 New Year Honours for services to sport. ==Political career==