Ferrier was privately educated. Through her family she came to know many notable Edinburgh people, including Scott and the novelist Henry Mackenzie. In 1797 her father took her in 1797 to Inveraray, home of his client and patron John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll. She became a friend of the family, especially of a granddaughter, Charlotte Clavering (died 1869), with whom she corresponded. Clavering was initially involved in the writing of Ferrier's first novel "Marriage", although ultimately her contribution was limited to the section entitled "The History of Mrs Douglas". Some letters between Ferrier and Clavering appear in the front matter of a six-volume edition of the novels.