John Taylor and his wife Liz live in the city with their three kids, rebellous Marissa, naive Kimberley and singer Jason. Their life is strenous, Kimberley is regularly bashed by Shelley Southall, Marissa is onto drugs and Jason's friend Mickey doesn't think his songs are good at all. John's sister Sandra Todd lives on a property at Inverness raising her two kids Pip and Campbell. Her life is hectic as well, she works for shonky real estate manager Derek Unn and her closest neighbour is out to kill all her pets and her family.

When the adults tell the kids of their idea, the reactions are varied. Marissa storms off to Skid (whom Liz discovers isn't that bad), Pip doesn't want to leave their dog Jack but the others are all considering it. Kim decides to put revenge on Shelley but her first plan doesn't go too well

A case of cold feet for both families as they begin to realise their decisions - are they really going to do this? Liz's decision to move and sense of herself are challenged by the humour and chaos of a school reunion. Pip declares war on puppy-killer Bert Adams. Marissa's assumptions about her father and his work are turned on their head when Mickey accompanies him on a night on the streets.

The day of the move comes and no-one is ready. As both families have to struggle with a lifetime of memories, Tom sets about to get a reference for Sandra from Derek, and to get Bert to give away one of his pups.

As the Taylors arrive in the country, after many bladder stops along the way, fights ensue over who gets which room. Kim and Jason end up getting rooms of choice while Marissa is left with the junk room. The Todd's arrival in the city is worse when they discover the house has been trashed and covered in graffiti.