[1] She studied at the University of Glasgow, graduating with an undergraduate Master of Arts degree (MA Hons).
[2] Renton joined the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) in 1954, and then underwent two months of officer training.
[1] She spent 1967 as a member of the HQ staff of Royal Air Force Germany.
[8] She then moved to Cyprus where she served as the most senior WRAF officer at the headquarters of the Near East Air Force.
[2] On 16 February 1980, Renton was made an Honorary Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Queen Elizabeth II;[10] she relinquished this appointment on 31 January 1986.
[13] In 1981, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree by the University of Glasgow, her alma mater.