Thestory,whichissetinasmallvillageonaremoteScottishIsland,centresaroundthegiftedCallumwhoisinhisfinalyearatschoolandpreparingtogotoUniversityinAberdeenonthemainland.HereceivesprivatetuitionfromCharlesMcAllisteraformerHeadmasteratthevillageschoolwhohasbecomebittersincethedeathofhiswife.McAllistercoachesCalluminFrenchandPoetry.WhenheisnotcoachingCallumheiscompilingaphotobiographyofthecharactersinthevillage.Theweddingoftheyoungvillagenurseistoformthecentrepieceofhisbiography.ThestorytracesthelifeofcharactersinthevillageasrecordedbyMcAllister,butseenthroughtheeyesofCallum.Itisthestoryofthelife,lovesandmotivatorsinthelifeofyoungmanintheprocessofbreakingfreefromtheplacewherehegrewup.