Pictish remains are still occasionally discovered in Scotland. This is the story of a triple find of major importance. A sculptured stone, a treasure trove and a preserved body realise the dreams of the archaeologists invloved. The discoveries however are marred by political in-fighting and the theft of the treasure. The sponsors of the archaeological dig responsible for the finds are two wealthy Scots. The two men mastermind the emergance of a grass roots political organisation called The Scottish Peoples Alliance. The Scottish Peoples Alliance sweeps the polls and becomes the elected Government. After initial success, however, the Alliance begins to disintegrate under pressure. To the dismay of the founders, they find, as other rich individuals had found before them, that wealth and celebrity status do not always ensure success in changing society. The climax of the novel is the severing of ties between England and Scotland and the eventual recovery of The Calabar Hoard.