Alex is an orthodontist who grew up in Cape Breton after the drowning of his parents. Raised by his grandparents, he balances his modern, professional life with heavy memories of his rugged youth. He acts as the historian for his family, carefully observing the differences between his comfortable present and the difficult conditions of his relatives and others, like the migrant fruit pickers he sees in Ontario.

Calum is Alex's considerably older brother and the natural leader of the young men in the *clann Chalum Ruaidh*. Forced to take charge after their parents die, he develops a fiercely protective attitude toward his siblings. He struggles heavily to adapt to life outside of Cape Breton, eventually finding himself isolated and dependent on alcohol in the city.

Alex's maternal grandfather is a quiet, highly capable man who raised his only daughter alone after his wife died in childbirth. He reads factual histories of the Scottish Highlands, possessing knowledge that contradicts the family's preferred myths. He assists his relatives quietly without expecting recognition.

Alex's paternal grandfather is an outgoing, boisterous man who raised nine children on a modest hospital wage. He takes in Alex and Catherine after they are orphaned, providing a lively home filled with beer, dirty jokes, and romanticized tales of Scottish warriors.

Alex's paternal grandmother is a resilient woman who outlives many of her peers, reaching 110 years of age. She relies on traditional sayings and Gaelic songs to anchor her family. She raises Alex and Catherine, ensuring they understand the loyalty expected within the clan.

Alex's twin sister grows up to become an actress and later marries a petroleum engineer. She lives in a modern home in Calgary but frequently travels to Scotland to trace the family's roots. She shares Alex's interest in Gaelic music and acts as his confidante during visits.

A former Navy man who works as a lighthouse keeper to provide for his large family. He disappears beneath the winter ice while trying to walk home, an accident that fractures the family structure and leaves a permanent void.

Raised by her widowed father, she marries into the other branch of the MacDonald family. She lives at the island lighthouse before drowning on the ice crossing with her husband and son.

One of Alex's older brothers. He joins his parents for the walk across the ice to the lighthouse and drowns when the ice gives way. His body is eventually recovered in the spring, still wearing his new coat.

A cousin who shares the protagonist's exact name. He works in the mines alongside Calum and the other brothers. As a boy, he bluntly tells Alex he is only favored by the grandparents because his parents are dead, sparking a physical fight.

A relative from California who travels to Canada to evade military service. A former high school star quarterback, his athletic ability translates well to mining work. He looks exactly like the rest of the clan with his red hair, though he socializes freely with rival ethnic groups at the camp.

A French-Canadian miner who holds a deep grudge against the *clann Chalum Ruaidh*. His animosity stems from an old tavern brawl, leading to frequent physical and verbal confrontations with Calum.

A French-Canadian miner who befriends Alex despite the heavy ethnic segregation in the camp. The two men peaceably teach each other their respective languages, standing out against the typical camp rivalries.

The ancestor who moved his family to Cape Breton. He lived to be 110 years old. His descendants share physical traits, such as red or dark hair, and maintain a collective identity based on his lineage.