This is the synopsis for Bubbles in the Cauldron, or at least the start of it.-

In 1820, Scotland is in turmoil, in fact, bubbling like a cauldron. A rebellion is brewing; agents provocateur are inviting insurrection; smugglers on the Clyde are encouraging turmoil to keep the authorities too busy to interfere with their moonlight activities; political groups trying to blacken the name of their opponents; aristocrats plotting against the court; and all trying to keep their activities secret, or cast the blame on their adversaries. 

Fergus Findlay finds out about the coming uprising while he is at a ball in Glasgow with his wife, Fiona, Tom Abernethy, his accountant's son, Tom's sister, Jean, and Jeans suitor, Captain Grey. When he learns of it, Fergus becomes worried about his deaf shepherd, Davie, who has a gift for fabric design and has been sent to the village of Strathaven to learn more about weaving, but when Fergus gets to Strathaven, Davie has run away.

In one way or another, all the characters become bubbles in the cauldron.

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