John MacCormick was born on the Isle of Mull c. 1870. Through his life, he produced numerous short stories and some of the earliest known novels in Scottish Gaelic. The style of his writing has strong influences from the ceilidh house tradition, something that is also evident in this novel.

The Scottish Highland Clearances are at their height and in Dùn Àlainn, Cailean's mother is on her deathbed. She warns her son that after her death, he will no longer be welcome in his father's house, the Laird of Dùn Àlainn, who has never been particularly close to his son.

When his mother's prediction proves right, Cailean is exiled and must leave behind his sweetheart Màiri and his little sister, wondering if the day will come for him to return to claim his birthright and to find Màiri and his sister who have been sent away from the estate.