Twenty-nine year old Alexander Kinloch is an unusual chap. With a fervor for the bagpipes and a talent for painting "the passions of golf ... the conflict within the self," he's not what you'd expect as the fourth son of a Scottish earl. When his ailing stepfather seeks Alexander's help in reviving his bankrupt brewery, Alexander begrudgingly leaves his secluded highland cabin and enters a "race" to save his family's honor. The King Alfred Gold Cup, a two mile steeplechase that exemplifies the pride of the brewery, is his challenge, and his assignment is to secure the cup trophy, a valuable medieval chalice. As he emerges from his life as a near recluse, Alexander begins to understand the benefits and the costs of becoming a hero.
