This book concentrates on the people of Argyll, Bute, and western Dunbartonshire during the 17th century. This region lies on the west coast of Scotland between the Firth of Clyde in the south to the Sound of Arisaig and Lochiel in the north. Clans located here were the Campbells, Lamont, McIntyres, McGregors, McEwan, McCorquadale, McMillan, Malcolms or MacCollums, McLachlan, and Macleans.

This book is largely based on Documents located in the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh, including those of the Argyll Sheriff Court, church records, the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, Sasines (property records), deeds, and military rolls. This work provides evidence of 17th-century links from Argyll with Ireland, Nova Scotia, New England, New Jersey, Jamaica, and Barbados. These early links led to significant emigration to Jamaica and North Carolina in the 18th century.