In 2001, aged 17, Shona started Newcastle University's newly founded degree course in Folk and Traditional Music where she continued researching music of the Scottish Borders, stemming from her father's contribution to the world of Borders piping.
In 2001, at the age of 17, Shona started studying Folk and Traditional Music at Newcastle University, where she expanded on her research into the music of the Scottish Borders, which was influenced by her father's involvement in the world of Borders piping.