Part 1: The year is 1751 and Scotland is coming to terms with bloody defeat and occupation by the English. In a Scottish Lowland village, Davie Balfour (James Anthony Pearson) learns from his dying father of his rightful inheritance – a great landed estate. Davie's eccentric uncle has him kidnapped and enslaved aboard a ship bound for America. The ship runs down a boat carrying the notorious Highland hero Alan Breck (Iain Glen), with whom Davie forms a pact to fight their way off the ship. They succeed, but are separated in the ensuing conflagration. Washed ashore, Davie finds himself in the Highlands, where he chances across Breck again after witnessing the assassination of a tax collector for King George. Suspected of conspiracy in the murder, the two seek refuge with the clan of James of the Glens (Gregor Fisher). Here Davie meets James' beautiful but willful daughter, Catriona (Kirsten Coulter Smith). When the Redcoats reappear, Alan and Davie depart, leaving James to be charged with treason in their place.