Abby spots an ad, which seems to promise the way of life she dreams of, but there's a problem: it specifies a married couple and Abby is a single parent. Abby persuades Kenny, her childhood friend and neighbour and a perpetually aspiring musician, to pose as her husband, at least for the interview on Ronansay. Kenny agrees reluctantly: the role of Abby's husband and father to her children is too close to his most cherished fantasy for comfort. Abby, Kenny and the children set off on the long drive north. After much infighting, the islanders draw up a shortlist and interview several candidates - all unsuitable. Then they meet the Peterson family who seem so ideal that when Abby and her "family" arrive on the island, the islanders have already offered them the post. But as a bitterly disappointed Abby, Kenny and the children wait for the return ferry, the Petersons reveal that they are the leaders of a doomsday cult, looking for somewhere to bring their followers. The islanders beg the Wallaces to stay, and Alfie and Charlotte take their places in the school just in time to stop it being closed.

Abby, Kenny and the children are settling down to life on Ronansay. The B&B is open for business, although the roof leaks, the plumbing is unreliable, and the fire won’t light. The salmon disease, ISA, has been diagnosed in the fish farm owned by Alistair Macleod. Alistair and Big Jerry Kennedy face at least six months without an income while the farm is quarantined. Abby and Kenny’s "marriage" is experiencing teething troubles. Kenny offers to leave the island and Abby agrees. But even on the ferry away from Ronansay, Kenny creates another misunderstanding. He inadvertently starts a rumour that Abby used to work in a topless bar and, with Gordon to fan the flames, the island soon has Abby marked as an ex-prostitute. When she gets wind of the rumour and its origin, Abby tells Kenny him he can never come back to the island: she’s told everyone he’s dead. But then Kenny redeems himself by selling his car and hiring Alistair to fix the roof of the B&B, saving the salmon-farmer from having to leave the island to look for work.

Abby finds a chest belonging to the previous owner of the house, the late Annie Macdonald. In it are keepsakes of her fifty-plus years of marriage. Going to ask Helen Kennedy for an address for Annie’s son, Paul, who has moved away from the island, Abby notices that she has been crying. Later, when Abby meets Helen again and sees that she has a split lip, she guesses that her husband, Big Jerry, has beaten her. He has been taking unemployment hard. He is full of anger and is drinking heavily. When Big Jerry hits Little Jerry, it is a blow too far for Helen. She takes her son to stay at Abby’s. Abby tells Helen that she was the victim of an abusive relationship in the past. The islanders are divided in their attitude to Helen and Jerry’s situation. Some of them believe that they should sort out their problems in private and go on as usual, and that Abby is doing no good by interfering. But she has an ally in Douglas. Big Jerry confronts Abby and accuses her of driving Helen away from him. Abby replies that he is the only one who can do that. When Alistair lands a three-month job on a trawler he seizes the opportunity to pass it to Jerry giving his friend and ex-employee a chance to salvage self-respect and possibly his marriage. Helen sees her husband off at the ferry. She says she still loves him, but she wants him back whole.

A power cut interrupts the island’s viewing of the annual Celtic v. Rangers match. Kenny begins to suspect that the B&B is haunted, his imagination fuelled by a ghost story that Alistair told them during an outing in his boat. Murdo Campbell has become reclusive and Douglas is worried about him. Unknown to the rest of the island, Elizabeth Campbell has developed Alzheimer’s dementia and Malcolm and Murdo are finding it hard to look after her. A doctor comes to see Elizabeth and recommends a nursing home on the mainland, but Murdo won’t hear of it. Elizabeth goes missing - and so does Charley. During a conversation with Gordon about the ghost, Kenny lets slip that he and Abby have separate bedrooms, which fuels intense speculation on the island about the state of their marriage Malcolm agrees that his mother must stay at home and they will do their best to look after her. Douglas finally summons the courage to propose to Mary.

Abby’s old friends, Jackie and Donna, come to the island for a hen weekend before Jackie’s wedding. Abby realises she has changed since coming to Ronansay and has grown less tolerant of her friends’ raucous behaviour. Relations become further strained when Jackie accuses Abby of leading Kenny on - and reach breaking point when Abby finds Jackie and Donna playing strip poker with Alfie (and losing). During an evening of heavy drinking at the Raeburn Hotel, the pair from London turn their lack of inhibitions on the men of the island, embarrassing Abby further. The next morning, Kenny and Jackie are discovered asleep together on the floor of the bar by a group of the islanders. Disgusted by how Kenny has betrayed and humiliated Abby, the islanders shun him. Under their disapproving stares, Kenny prepares to leave for good. Abby announces to the islanders that Kenny hasn’t betrayed her, their ‘marriage’ is a pretence created to give the opportunity of a life on Ronansay. If the islanders want them all to leave, they will. But one by one the islanders express their appreciation of what Abby, Kenny and the children have brought to the community, and ask them all to stay.

Kenny struggles to come to terms with being "single" again, but Abby has no problem. Douglas and Mary plan their wedding. Mary asks Carolyn to be her maid of honour, but Carolyn demurs, she’s having trouble with the whole idea of her mother’s remarriage. Mary is hurt by Carolyn’s response and tells Douglas they’ll have to call it off. Douglas is upset by Mary’s change of heart. Kenny advises him to grab the moment. Spurred on by Kenny’s advice, Douglas sends out the wedding invitations anyway.</BR> </BR> A Filipino woman, Ida, arrives on the ferry. Gordon decides that she is an illegal immigrant - or worse. Malcolm arrives to meet Ida: she’s a nurse he has employed to look after his mother. But he hasn’t told his father about her and Murdo greets her arrival with unconcealed hostility. He tries to send her away but Malcolm steps in to protect her. Thanks to Ida’s tact and sensitivity, Murdo eventually drops his hostility towards her. Outside the church, Carolyn arrives and embraces Mary. Malcolm arrives with Ida on his arm and proudly introduces her to everyone. As the wedding party go into the church, Kenny arrives. Abby comes out to meet him. and while the Wedding March plays, they stand together looking at the sky.

Abby's flourishing relationship with Alistair is proving difficult for Kenny to handle, especially when Abby suggests that Kenny find somewhere else to live. Despite her financial worries, Abby's relationship with Alistair is growing stronger and seeing them together prompts Kenny to consider Abby's suggestion. </BR> </BR> Even bigger trouble arrives in the shape of an old acquaintance, Damien. Abby borrowed £1000 from Damien and he's come to collect the money - with considerable interest. When Abby can only offer him a fraction of what she owes, Damien begins to exploit the situation by suggesting she make the repayments in 'other' ways. When she refuses Damien begins to threaten the children and the normally laid back Kenny reacts violently to defend them. However, Damien later ambushes Kenny beating him senseless and leaving him for dead.</BR> </BR> The attack on Kenny is a shock to all the islanders. Alfie prepares a surprise to show Kenny how much he loves him while Abby confronts Damien and threatens him with the police. Alistair, Malcolm, Gordon and Douglas escort Damien to the ferry - reclaiming Abby's money and making sure he never dares return.

Abby's relationship with Alistair seems to be going from strength to strength, and in a confident bid to put the B&B on a more secure footing, Abby advertises in a mainland newspaper. Could it be that, at last, love and security are within her grasp? Not everyone on Ronansay is pleased by Abby's new found happiness of course. Carolyn, fears she may have lost Alistair forever, and Douglas takes Abby's advert as a personal attack on the Raeburn Hotel. Both decide to fight back in their own way. But what Abby doesn't realise is that this fight could get very dirty indeed.</BR> </BR> Douglas wreaks his revenge on Abby by making bogus reservations at the B&B. Abby is disappointed when her guests fail to arrive, but when Mary discovers his ruse she gives a sheepish Douglas hell. Carolyn's actions may have much further reaching consequences for Abby however. That night Kenny spots Alastair sneaking out of Carolyn's cottage under cover of darkness...</BR> </BR> Eager to help Kate find something she can believe in, Abby and Kenny persuade Gordon to take a trip out to sea in the hope that they might be able to see some whales. Kate's joy when they finally find them is reward enough, but Gordon goes one step further. As Kate and Mrs Wier are leaving the island on the ferry, Abby and Douglas are surprised to see that it is full of tourists. Apparently, Gordon's promise of a 'whale spotting' weekend was too good to resist.

Abby and Alistair's relationship continues on track, but Alfie and Charlie are not at all enamoured with the union, particularly when Alistair tries, and fails miserably to impress. He's just not cut out for the surrogate father role. And from Abby's point of view, he just doesn't understand where these kids are coming from, which leads to rumbles in the household. </BR> </BR> The course of true love runs a little more smoothly for Malcolm, to begin with anyhow. When the proposal of marriage is well and truly underway over a romantic dinner at the Raeburn, Ida ups and leaves, leaving the island without explanation and leaving Malcolm stunned.</BR> </BR> As Carolyn and Heather's plans for a night out on the mainland come to fruition, it transpires that both girls have more devious intentions: Carolyn to have an illicit night of passion with Alistair; Heather to have a hedonistic all-nighter at a club. But for Heather, things go completely awry when, duped by an undercover cop, she is arrested for taking Ecstasy. </BR> </BR> With Carolyn out of contact and her mother's less than sympathetic shoulder to lean on, Heather turns to the only person she can - Kenny. Unfortunately, Kenny has a pathological aversion to the police and so instead of managing to bail her out, he finds himself thrown into a cell beside Heather to cool off. Only Abby, with reasoning, and a smidgen of blackmail thrown in, manages to sort out the sorry affair.

Abby is having to prepare herself for a shock - Alistair announces to her that he wants to get serious. This is so unlike the confirmed single guy who Abby has got to know. But Abby, surprisingly, feels comfortable with that thought. What she feels less comfortable with is having to tell Kenny… </BR> </BR> Abby's matchmaking skills are required when Malcolm, still reeling from Ida's sudden departure, searches Abby out for advice. There's only one thing for it - he must go and find Ida to tell her how he feels. Malcolm leaves Ronansay to travel to Ida's flat in Glasgow. When Malcolm arrives, Ida is forced to eveal her secret - she has a young son. Malcolm, resolves never to let Ida out of his life again, and embraces them both. They all return to Ronansay, together, as a family.</BR> </BR> A new visitor, Terry, arrives on the island, much to Abby's delight, as his stay is indefinite. With tourists thin on the ground, his staying at the B&B assures a small but regular income for her. But there is something familiar and at the same time mysterious about this visitor that Abby can't quite put her finger on, just yet anyhow…</BR> </BR> But Abby has much more pressing things on her mind at the moment. As she plans her future with Alistair, her world is about to be ripped apart. Carolyn drops the bombshell - she's pregnant and the father is Alistair. But it's Mary, not Alistair who gives Abby the news. Shocked, distraught and feeling betrayed, who else can she turn to but Kenny. And, reliable and caring as ever, Kenny is there to help her pick up the pieces…..

Following Abby's break-up, an overprotective Kenny is convinced that she is suicidal and to that end, he clears her bathroom of potentially life-threatening items, falling just short of the nail clippers, much to Abby's irritation. She's not so much depressed as furious which isn't helped when Alistair turns up, begging forgiveness. Her response is clear though, there's no turning the clock back. Alistair gets deeper into trouble when his attempt at practical support of Carolyn is misinterpreted by her as something more.</BR> </BR> Abby can't help but be intrigued by Terry. He has the uncanny ability to appease her children and impart insightful advice exactly when it is needed. Very much like Kenny in fact. Then the penny drops, and after a few well chosen questions veered towards him, there's no doubt that Terry is Kenny's estranged father.</BR> </BR> Malcolm heads home with his new family but he's worried how Murdo will take the news. Malcolm demands that Gordon, as Captain, marry him and Ida on the boat. Gordon duly obliges, albeit reluctantly. But he's riddled with guilt, as he's as much a Captain as Kenny is a Psychiatrist. So he just has to find the right moment to tell Malcolm that the marriage isn't quite valid…</BR> </BR> Murdo is unhappy that Malcolm has married without him being there. Gordon finally finds the courage to tell Malcolm that wedding ceremony wasn't legal, but instead of the expected torrent of abuse, Malcolm is ecstatic. Murdo can witness the wedding after all - on Ronansay. He rushes to tell his father the good news, but he's horrified to find Murdo in his bed, not asleep, but dead…

The islanders gather to say a final goodbye to their old friend Murdo at the scattering of his ashes. Gordon insists on standing with his 'new best pal' Terry, leaving Kenny looking on resentfully. Kenny hasn't been able to find the words to talk to his father.</BR> </BR> En-route to the wake, Kenny has a heart to heart with his father, Terry. Kenny is completely shocked to discover that his father is gay and that's why he left the family home all those years ago. After speaking with Abby he decides to make his peace before his father returns to London.</BR> </BR> Douglas continues to worry about the continuity of the island, especially after Murdo's passing. A silver cup discovered by Abby and the kids gives him an idea and he decides its time to resurrect the tradition of the Ronansay Run. Abby and Mary reconcile their differences and agree to join the 'race organisation committee' but even with their help Douglas only manages to find a single competitor, Dr Talbot.

The islanders go on red alert to sand bag and tarpaulin their homes, when a bad storm is forecast. Malcolm is in trouble, he's in the middle of the harvest and if he doesn't get it finished, the crop will be ruined. So, racing against the clock, everyone pitches in to help. As they work, Abby notices a spark between Kenny and Heather. Events take a more serious turn when Carolyn collapses in the corn field. Alistair realises he must shoulder his responsibilities, he manages to brave the storm and get Carolyn over to Portree in time to save their baby's life.</BR> </BR> Heather enlists Kenny's help to bring her mother, Mary, to the safety of the Raeburn Hotel. Heather shows her appreciation by rewarding Kenny with a sudden, passionate kiss. Alfie and Charley tell Abby, who in turn, is surprised to find herself stung by jealousy. Could she be in love with Kenny after all?</BR> </BR> The storm finally abates and all is well with Carolyn and the baby. But Gordon appears to be missing at sea. The islanders are mourning the loss of their dear friend, when he appears - safe and sound and as big headed as ever, especially when he hears how they've missed him.

The prospect of the Northern Lights making a brief appearance has stirred the passions of the islanders. Douglas and Mary reminisce about their first kiss, and even Gordon and Marjorie have managed to soften up to each other. It seems they have a history.</BR> </BR> Abby is in a state of confusion over her real feelings for Kenny. Alfie and Charley decide it's time to nudge their mother in the right direction, so they arrange a romantic dinner for two at the Raeburn. The evening proves excruciatingly awkward for them both, so much so that Kenny leaves early..</BR> </BR> Heather decides to defer her university placement for a year, in order to look after her mother, Marjorie..</BR> </BR> Despite his decision to stand by Carolyn through her pregnancy, Alistair still has Abby on his mind. However, Abby is not as interested, and when a drunken Alistair breaks into her bedroom during the night, she rebukes him..</BR> </BR> Douglas prepares to take Little Jerry home to his mother in Fife, but Big Jerry is having none of it. Following an evening drowning his sorrows in the pub, Big Jerry sobers up enough to realise that he must face up to the responsibility himself..</BR> </BR> The Northern Lights finally make their appearance and the islanders watch in wonder. After much thought about the future, Abby ask Kenny if he will marry her. Kenny is ecstatic and kisses her passionately, but the passion isn't there for Abby, and when Kenny asks her if she loves him, she realises that she can't answer him…

The islanders are in a celebratory mood as Carolyn gives birth to a beautiful baby girl, Isla. Everyone turns out for the celebrations and Gordon, dressed to the nines, is out to impress Marjorie. After an ego boosting "man to man" chat with Kenny, he's prepared to show Marjorie exactly what he's made of. But just as he and Marjorie get down to business at Marjorie's place, Heather makes a very untimely entrance… </BR> </BR> Abby and Kenny's relationship has found a platonic middle ground. But Kenny is feeling restless - he needs to move on but feels unable to until Abby feels secure without him being around. And the perfect opportunity presents itself when Robbie, Alfie and Charley's father, gets in touch. Robbie wants to see his kids but Abby refuses to let him back into their lives. So Kenny, secretly, heads for London to find Robbie. He needs to see if Robbie has changed. As the subject of Robbie has arisen, Charley questions Abby about her father. But Alfie is adamant - he doesn't want to meet up with his father; what if he turns out to be just like his dad?</BR> </BR> Alistair is struggling with the reality of fatherhood. He distances himself from Carolyn and the baby. </BR> </BR> Malcolm is excited about his new business venture. There's big money to be made in cattle breeding so he invests in buying a bull. </BR> </BR> Mary approaches Gordon - she needs the cottage back, for when Alistair and Carolyn live there together, as she is sure they will. Gordon is utterly bereft - where is he going to live? But Marjorie comes to the rescue. Why doesn't he move in with her?

Malcolm's new bull is unwilling to perform, much to the annoyance of Marjorie and Douglas, the co-owners. Meanwhile in London, Kenny looks up some old contacts and goes for a drink with Robbie. Despite his best intentions Robbie doesn't take too kindly to being given advice by Kenny and becomes aggressive. Feeling he's been chasing a lost cause Kenny returns to Ronansay by himself. So he is as surprised as Abby when Robbie turns up unannounced.</BR> </BR> Carolyn's post-natal depression worsens and Mary doesn't know what to do. She needs to keep a full-time eye on Carolyn and, as a result, Abby's time at the school increases. She finds herself enjoying the challenge - unlike Alfie who can't believe he's being taught by his mother!</BR> </BR> Now that Mary has reclaimed the cottage, Kenny is living back at Abby's guest house and Gordon is at Marjorie's. Since the birth of Isla, Alistair feels completely impotent in the face of so much new responsibility. Alistair decides it's best for him to leave the island and does so in secret, leaving a note for Big Jerry on the door of the boathouse.</BR> </BR> Things aren't going too well at the Campbell farm. Colin's simple manner unnerves Ida. He compliments her excessively in an effort to be polite but Ida feels threatened and demands from Malcolm that Colin leave. But Malcolm realises that Colin means no harm and lets him stay. Ida is furious.

Abby is furious with Kenny for bringing Robbie to the island. Alfie and Charley are full of curiosity but have mixed reactions to meeting their father. He tries to make an effort with them but too much time has elapsed and they remain unimpressed. Alfie really isn't convinced but Charley decides her dad is worth a second chance.</BR> </BR> Robbie decides that the trip was a waste of time but Kenny, in league with Gordon, scuppers his plans to leave. Once faced with the prospect of having to deal with each other face to face Abby and Robbie start to talk to one another.</BR> </BR> The bull's continuing lack of performance as prime breeding stock, causes Malcolm to call an expert in. But with the persuasion of Marjorie and Douglas, he finally gives in. The barn is set, the bull installed - now all they need is the music. Kenny and Heather duly oblige. And while the anxious trio wait outside, Kenny and Heather weave a little amorous magic of their own inside the barn. As the bull finally succeeds in delivering the goods, Heather and Kenny finally consummate their friendship. Marjorie also takes note of a few tips from the seduction catalogue, much to Gordon's delight. It seems that a sensual atmosphere doesn't only work for bulls….</BR> </BR> Malcolm decides to take the bull to a local fare, and much to his and everyone's surprise, the bull wins a prize. Ida too is finally able to come to terms with Colin when, at the fare, he is maliciously teased by some youths. She comes to his aid, mending the relationship between them

It's Mary's birthday and the islanders celebrate it by having a beach party. Robbie plans to leave Ronansay. It's not really of his choosing but he thinks he's wasting his time with the kids and Abby. But to his surprise, Abby's response is dismissive - why does he want to leave? So with a new purpose, Robbie faces his challenge. Kenny takes charge of the 'how to talk to your kids' lessons and Robbie's unexpected success results in his making some real progress with Alfie.</BR> </BR> Carolyn, feeling depressed and isolated, misreads Dr Talbot's professional concern and kisses him - leaving him speechless. Big Jerry goes to see Carolyn and realises that she needs Alistair. He goes to find him - Big Jerry offers to take his place on the boat, and Alistair, after a few home truths given to him by Big Jerry, decides to return Ronansay.</BR> </BR> A stranger turns up at the school asking questions. Having lied on an Education Authority register Douglas fears he's been found out. Gordon persuades Abby to conspire with him into being economical with the truth, but it proves fruitless - the stranger returns, and this time it's with the police. He represents Ida's ex-husband who wants custody of Peter. Malcolm along with the Islanders band together to protect them but Ida and Peter have no choice - a distraught Malcolm is forced to accept that they have to secretly leave the Island if they are not to be deported.

As Robbie and Abby's relationship grows stronger Kenny knows that the time for him to leave is fast approaching. Kenny is instrumental in helping them remember some of the good times they had together, and in giving the kids space to get to know their father. Robbie needs Abby to believe he's changed and tells her about a darker period in his life - a time he looks back on with regret. She listens - remembering the man she loved, and that she still loves. She kisses him.</BR> </BR> Douglas mentions to Mary that he wishes his son Hamish would visit more often. Mary takes note and conspires with Hamish's wife Angie to pretend to Hamish that Douglas is on his death-bed. Worried, Hamish brings his wife and kids over for a visit. He's furious when he realises he's been lied to but he and Douglas start talking properly for the first time in years. Once tempers have cooled, Hamish tells Douglas that he was made redundant, but he was too afraid to tell his father. Hamish decides it's time to spend some time with his family on Ronansay, for a short while anyhow.</BR> </BR> Alistair is trying to come to terms with what it means to be a father while he and Carolyn remain estranged. But Carolyn is still infatuated with Dr Talbot; Alistair is incensed at the idea of the doctor taking advantage of her and confronts him face to face. Dr Talbot reminds him of his responsibilities and points out that he's only angry because he cares about Carolyn. The truth in this is not lost on Alistair.

Hamish enjoys re-acquainting himself with the island and he's delighted when Douglas finds the fishing boat he used as a kid. It ushers in warm memories of his own childhood. The boat is almost seaworthy, but it just needs a little work to prevent any leakage, which Robbie is happy to undertake.</BR> </BR> Kenny is preparing Abby, and in a subtle way, the kids, that it's time he left the island for good. She knows he finally has to move on, but she can't allow herself to loan him the money he needs to return to London. That night Kenny boards Hamish's boat to mount a salmon rescue mission of his own - maybe he can make a few quid on the catch. But as he's out to sea, the boat takes on water - he can't bail it out quickly enough to prevent the craft from sinking. In the freezing cold water, he abandons ship and manages to struggle ashore an inlet.</BR> </BR> Abby, meanwhile, is finally allowing Robbie back into her own life, and for the first time in many years, they sleep together.</BR> </BR> Kenny, now frozen to the core, manages to light a fire. In the morning a rescue helicopter spots him and he's taken to safety. He's surprised to be met by his father, Gordon, the kids, and finally, Abby. He finally sees her speak the words he's wanted to hear for so many years - that she loves him. But frustratingly, he can't hear the them. He awakens. He's back on the beach, freezing, and desperate to get a fire going…and again, he lapses into his dream world. He reconciles himself to all the important people in his life, but especially his one true love - that of Abby.</BR> </BR> Daylight breaks, and the alarm has been raised that Kenny is missing. Gordon takes Abby on the ferry, and together they desperately try to find him. The coastguard have mounted a search and rescue, as the islanders wait helplessly. Only Charlie seems oddly calm about Kenny's disappearance. The tiny boat has been found and on the beach, Kenny's body is discovered next to an unlit fire. He's dead….

In the wake of Kenny's death, the islanders are coming to terms with the loss. Alfie particularly, is finding it difficult to deal with.</BR> </BR> Abby decides that it's best Kenny were cremated. As the funeral approaches she's puzzled as to why Terry and Kenny's friends haven't made an appearance. Then it all becomes predictably clear - Gordon has made a huge gaff - he's given everyone the wrong date. Sure enough, the day after the funeral, Kenny's friends start arriving. What else is there to do but go through the ceremony again? Mary is mortified but they really don't have any choice. Gordon is saddled with the responsibility of getting another vicar on the island to perform the ceremony, with little success.</BR> </BR> Robbie and Alfie are struggling with their new found roles as father and son. Robbie tries to assert himself with Alfie but Abby puts her foot down - she's not sure if she's ready for him to become the children's father. Meanwhile, Hamish has been looking around the Ronansay distillery which has been dilapidated for years. Maybe life on the island wouldn't be so bad for Hamish and his family, and the distillery could provide some much needed income for him and the islanders.</BR> </BR> On the morning of the 'funeral' Abby and Terry are reminiscing about Kenny, but suddenly she feels unable to deceive him any longer. She blurts out that Kenny is already buried. But Alfie confides in Terry that he wanted to write to Kenny to say goodbye properly and where better to deliver the letter than in the burial urn - Alfie has dug Kenny up. This turns out to be a blessing in disguise - everyone can say their farewells to Terry without the pomp and ceremony of an official burial.</BR> </BR> Now that Alfie has had the chance to make his peace with Kenny, he allows Robbie to finally get close to him. Abby too, feels ready - maybe it's time Robbie took on the role of father after all.

Desmond Cholonbury is dead! As the highly unpopular and disliked owner of Ronansay, his untimely demise is a cause for celebration for the islanders! Douglas sees this as a chance to finally unite the island. There's just one tiny snag - Cholonbury declared that the islanders are not to be sold the island, unless there are no other takers. As far as Douglas is concerned, this is just a minor obstacle. He starts to form a plan for them all to band together and buy the island themselves.</BR> </BR> Gradually the islanders begin to discuss the idea seriously, but Abby can't commit. The nature of her economic circumstances is such that she's unwilling to take on the risk of a mortgage - which she would need to do were she to stay on the island. But does she really want to commit to staying on Ronansay at all? Terry measures her uncertainty and offers her the option of financial help. Abby protests but now that Kenny's gone, he'd like to leave something for Alfie and Charley. After all, they are the closest he'll ever come to having granchildren. Robbie wants them to move and start afresh, but for Abby the draw of the island is too strong. She accepts Terry's offer and unites with the islanders to fight for making Ronansay their own.</BR> </BR> A rich American, Snyder, arrives with a view to buying the island himself. The islanders have no choice but to present themselves as a distinctly odd and macabre bunch in order to try and put him off. Surely the burning of the Wicker Man will ensure his quick exit! But with a little help from Charley, Snyder sees through their actions. Realising the fairness of the islanders owning the land, he withdraws his interest.</BR> </BR> Hamish is offered a fantastic job in New York but now feels his heart is in the island. He puts forward the idea of renovating the distillery. If the distillery is in good working order, it will provide a viable asset, adding to the island's worth, thus ensuring a much needed loan to buy the island. Working against the clock, the entire island manage to make it look presentable and in the nick of time they find the source of the stream which had dried up. The bank agrees the loan and the future of the island is finally in the hands of the people who live there.</BR> </BR> Abby, Robbie, Alfie and Charley are finally reunited as a family. Making a go of it won't be easy, but the future for them looks secure on Ronansay …