The year is 1928 and the place Glasgow. Alan Finlay, a hard-up young medical student with a passionate ambition to become a surgeon, becomes involved in the strange disappearance of his landlady's husband. Finlay ventures an opinion and by chance finds himself in conflict with the veteran Dr. Cameron, a former surgeon now in general practice. It is a chance that is to shape Finlay's career.

An outbreak of scarlet fever leads Alan Finlay to investigate a local dairy, where he encounters the owner's wife.

Dr. Lestrange is a quack doctor - a striking character with flowing cape and hair. His methods upset Dr. Finlay but charm his Glasgow patients.

Dr. Finlay meets Miss Malcolm, the local schoolmistress, at the Village Ball.

A self-made financier who would cheat his own doctor - a wife with heart trouble who decides to have a baby - two doctors wanting to marry the same girl. All problems for Dr. Finlay.

Janet is keeping a strict eye on the domestic affairs of Dr. Cameron.

A fall of coal at the local pit traps Tannochbrae's star footballer and brings with it problems for Alan Finlay. Dr. Cameron has his own troubles when Willie Craig, the local insurance agent, comes to visit Janet.

Dr. Cameron is worried about his gardener, Alex Dean, and he has good cause to be. But it is Dr. Finlay who has to cope with the problem of trying to help Dean and in doing so comes into conflict with another of Tannochbrae's medical men, Dr. Snoddie.