Pioneering art therapist and artist. Born in Aberdeen, Laing trained at Gray's School of Art before becoming Scotland's first art therapist. She went on to work with patients in psychiatric hospitals across Scotland, together with prisoners. Her most notable workplace was the Barlinnie Special Unit, which operated from 1973 until 1994 and accommodated Scotland's most violent and uncontrollable prisoners. Notable inmates who she inspired with art were Jimmy Boyle (b. 1944) and Hugh Collins (1951 - 2021). Her aim was to channel their energies into positive creativity rather than destructive behaviours. She was awarded an OBE in 2008. Laing donated more than 1100 items to Glasgow Museums in 2012 and these items were displayed in an exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Barlinnie artwork shown at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in 2022. She lived in Pittenweem (Fife), where she co-founded the Pittenweem Arts Festival in 1981.
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