Local police stations all over the Scottish Highlands are being threatened with closure and this presents the perfect opportunity for Detective Chief Inspector Blair, who would love nothing more than to get rid of Sergeant Hamish Macbeth. Blair suggests that Cyril Sessions, a keen young police officer, visit the town of Lochdubh to monitor exactly what Hamish does every day. On hearing of Blair's plans, Hamish is fully prepared to ensure young Cyril returns back to headquarters with a full report ... but before he can do that, Cyril is found dead and Hamish very quickly becomes the prime suspect for his murder ...