Three men, all emigrants of Scotland, find new lives in far-distant countries: James Cameron, hounded by debt and scandal, heads for the vast wilderness of Upper Canada where he amasses a fortune that will bless future generations; Hugh MacCrimmon, forced to America when an act of brave defiance makes fleeing his only option; and Angus Ross, victim of tragedy, transported to a convict colony in Australia, left with nothing but his pride and a lust for revenge on the family that blackened his name. For over a hundred years these families will help carve empires and fight for their countries. But their paths will cross again: in passion, in hatred, in combat - and in their urge to claim their cherished heritage.