Kirsty MacLeod is a beautiful young woman, coveted by all the young men of her island village. She dreams of America, of following the setting sun west to a better life. She meets the man who dreams her dreams and promises to make them come true. But then the Great War breaks out and the men must leave for battle. In their honour, the islanders organise a grand Road Dance.

That night she is raped. She is left with a secret that will bring shame upon her and her family and ultimately on the child she is carrying. On a night of storms and sorrow, she has to make her choice and it is no choice at all.