Following World War II in peacetime Scotland, brigade headquarters replaces commanding officer Major Jock Sinclair, a boisterous battalion leader, with the strict, temperamental Lieutenant Colonel Basil Barrow. Resentful toward his replacement, Sinclair undermines Barrow's authority and damages his successor's reputation among the soldiers. Barrow faces an uphill battle in regaining the discipline and respect of his battalion.

Maj. Jock Sinclair, D.S.O., M.M.

Lt. Col. Basil Barrow (Battalion Commander)

Maj. Charles 'Charlie' Scott, M.C. (Battalion Executive Officer)

Mary Titterington

Morag Sinclair

Cpl. Piper Ian Fraser

Capt. Jimmy Cairns, M.C. (Battalion Adjutant)

Pipe Maj. Duncan MacLean

RSM Riddick

Capt. Eric Simpson

Major Dusty Miller

Major Hugo Macmillan

Captain Alec Rattray

2nd Lt. David Mackinnon

Sergeant (Bridge Hotel)

Orderly Room Clerk

Lance Corporal Campbell
September 17, 1960

Maj. Jock Sinclair, D.S.O., M.M.

Lt. Col. Basil Barrow (Battalion Commander)

Maj. Charles 'Charlie' Scott, M.C. (Battalion Executive Officer)

Mary Titterington

Morag Sinclair

Cpl. Piper Ian Fraser

Capt. Jimmy Cairns, M.C. (Battalion Adjutant)

Pipe Maj. Duncan MacLean

RSM Riddick

Capt. Eric Simpson

Major Dusty Miller

Major Hugo Macmillan

Captain Alec Rattray

2nd Lt. David Mackinnon

Sergeant (Bridge Hotel)

Orderly Room Clerk

Lance Corporal Campbell
