Alex, mid 50s, has lived his whole life in a small village on the Scottish east coast. He retires from his work at the local factory due to a terminal illness and tries to come to terms with his new situation.

Driven by boredom and a long-life secret dream, Alex decides to sail to Zanzibar in his own sail boat. But his family and the community try to thwart his endeavors.

In the end Alex realizes that sometimes it might be too late to start accomplishing one's dreams.