This is the true story of Gavin Maxwell, a writer who lives near the sea in the lonely Highlands of Scotland. After his beloved pet dog dies, Gavin visits Iraq. There, he sees Arabs catching marsh otters and training them. Gavin decides an otter would make an ideal pet and soon finds himself on his way home with Mij, a young male otter. Will Gavin and Mij adjust to their new lives, and what chaos will this new pet cause?