Brigadoon - Synopsis of the Plot

Act 1

May 1946: Americans Tommy and Jeff, lost in the Scottish Highlands, stumble across an unmapped village - Brigadoon.

A market fair is in progress. Mackeith, with daughters Fiona and Jean, discuss Jean's evening wedding to Charlie Cameron, to the distress of Harry Ritchie, who loves Jean. Mackeith displays a mysterious list of 'obligations' for the villagers. Fiona tells milkmaid Meg Brockie her dream of finding perfect love.

Tommy and Jeff arrive, puzzled by the odd reception they receive. Meg takes charge of Jeff, while Fiona and Tommy see only each other.

Charlie enters flirting outrageously - even trying to win Harry's friend Maggie from him.

Tommy and Fiona discuss their feelings, then go to pick heather for the wedding.

Meanwhile, frustrated Meg shows Jeff her bothy (!) in an attempt to seduce him.

In MacKeith's cottage Jean's friends help her pack and Charlie signs the family Bible. Tommy and Fiona arrive, followed by Jeff (now wearing trews).

When Fiona goes upstairs, Tommy reads Charlie's inscription - it is dated 1746! Demanding an explanation, Tommy and Jeff are taken to the Dominie, Mr Murdoch. He explains the Miracle: Brigadoon appears only one day every century to protect it from the outside world.

Tommy discovers that an outsider can stay if he truly loves someone there.

Clans gather for the wedding. During the celebrations Harry takes unconcerned Charlie's place - dancing for, and with, the bride. Overcome, he pulls Jean down, assaulting her. Best man Angus stops Charlie attacking Harry. harry picks up his sword, but Tommy distracts him and he is disarmed. Harry threatens Tommy, then - declaring his love for Jean - flees, shouting that he is leaving Brigadoon, so ending the Miracle.

Act 2

In the chase that follows, Harry falls and dies. The men agree to hush this up because of the wedding. Harry's father Donald finds the body and, with Maggie, drags it into the celebrations, demanding a funeral.

Jeff tells Tommy that he accidentally killed Harry, but the whole place is only a dream. To Fiona's dismay, Tommy decides not to stay after all. As the sun sets, Brigadoon disappears.

Four months later: in a NEw York bar Jeff is drunk. Tommy's fiancee Jane has been searching for him. He arrives but can't focus on the present - everything reminds him of Fiona. He breaks his engagement, telling Jeff to accompany him back to Scotland.

Jeff and Tommy return to the glen to prove Brigadoon doesn't exist: suddenly it materialises and Murdoch on the bridge welcomes Tomy back.

(Click on the image to return to the Brigadoon web page.)