While King David reigns over Scotland in the 12th Century, Calum McCallam, chieftain of the high valley called Strathrevie, suddenly finds life getting complicated. The carefree new laird, while hunting, ventures onto the lands of a neighbouring clan and encounters the enchanting granddaughter of the McDiarmid laird. In time the couple decide on a 'handfast' year, a custom whereby they may live together for a year and a day, before they decide to marry.

Little do Calum and Mared know that during their 'handfast' year unfriendly forces will cause undercurrents. These will result in a rash of startling events. The young laird must deal swiftly with trouble makers and still find the time to discover why his lady is drifting away from him.