Carl is a US Navy Shore patrol officer who is based at the Holy Loch naval base in Scotland. Armed only with a nightstick, his primary function is to ensure that sailors on shore leave do not become too rowdy, and to provide help to sailors in need of assistance. Carl is married to a local girl and their relationship is at breaking point - she wants to leave Scotland and settle in America while he wants to remain in Scotland. With his brother-in-law Willie, who is already estranged from his wife and under threat of redundancy from his shipyard job, the two men forge a friendship to help each other through.

Harvey Keitel
as Carl

Andrew Byatt
as Willie

Stella Gonet
as Rachel

David Lansbury
as Daniel

Katherine Stark
as Ruth

Jenny McCrindle
as Aileen

Hugh Martin
as Willie and Rachel's Father

Lesley Jackson
as Morag

Craig Ferguson
as Eddie

Bill Barclay
as John