An epic emotional journey about love and sacrifice set between the magical Isle of Skye and the promising new frontier of distant Tasmania.

''Oh, how magnificent,'' Christy''s granddaughter breathed as the ferry followed a curve in the water and they had a clear view of Dunvegan Castle at the end of the loch. ''It''s like a fairy-tale castle.'' She turned to Christy, her face radiant. ''How does it feel to be home again after all this time?'' Christy felt the tears prick and gathered the tartan shawl closer, her gaze avoiding the hated castle and all it stood for. ''I don''t know whether to laugh or cry,'' she confessed. ''I''ve seen so many changes already that I''m almost frightened of what I''ll find when we arrive . . .''

1905. Christy has always dreamed of making the journey from her home in Tasmania back to the wild and beautiful Scottish island where she was born - the Isle of Skye, nicknamed ''cloud island'' by the Old Norse people - to once again lay eyes on the tumbling waterfalls and dramatic coastlines of her homeland. And now, in her sixty-fifth year, Christy has finally decided to go, her mistrustful daughter Anne and beloved granddaughter Kathryn acting as companions. But what Anne and Kathryn don''t realise is that Christy''s past is darker and more textured than they could know, and that in returning to Skye they will unearth bittersweet memories long-buried - memories that will ultimately change the course of the three women''s lives forever.