The years following Culloden were dark and dangerous for the Jacobites. In the mountains and glens of Scotland the tattered remains of the Stuart cause lingered obstinately on.

Archie Cameron is on the run. His cousin, Ewen Cameron of Ardroy, tries desperately to save him and in doing so unwittingly tangles with the family of Keith Windham, whose death haunts Ewen's conscience. But even Ewen's efforts cannot stave off the fate awaiting Archie.

This is the second volume in D.K. Broster's famous trilogy in which she evokes the courage and sacrifice of the men who espoused the cause of the "King Over the Water".