Artist. Born in Kirkcaldy, Neilson trained at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee (1955-60), with a brief period at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath, where she became friendly with Joan Eardley (1921-63). Following time travelling in Europe, she joined Eardley in Catterline (Aberdeenshire) where Neilson painted powerful landscapes. She moved to Norfolk for a time in the 1980s but returned to Catterline, living their until shortly before she died.
She died at Roxburgh House in Dundee.