Claire Randall, a married combat nurse serving in World War II, falls back in time to 1743 while visiting the standing stones at Craigh na Dun at Inverness, Scotland. She falls in with a group of rebel Highlanders from Clan MacKenzie, who are being pursued by ruthless British Redcoats led by Captain Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, Frank's ancestor. She marries dashing Highlander Jamie Fraser out of necessity, but they quickly fall in love. The Clan suspect her of being a spy, and retain her as a healer, preventing her from attempting to return to her own time. Knowing that the Jacobite cause is doomed to fail, Claire tries to warn them against rebellion. Can she change history? Should she?