In the autumn of 1764, a young Scottish mercenary homecoming to the Highlands of Scotland following the ending of the seven years war in Europe, encounters an attempt by two soldiers to murder a priest. He intervenes to save the man's life, but during the encounter a soldier is shot. A sergeant with two men is sent to investigate the shooting and to apprehend those responsible. The pursuit through a highland glen begins, but all is not as it seems. During the chase as the offenders try to evade capture, the real reason for each being there is revealed and their lives begin to unravel, ending in tragedy.