John Burnet of Barns was Buchan's first fully realised, full-length work of fiction. It tells the story of two young noblemen - John Burnet, heir to the ancient house of Barns the last in a long line of Border reivers, and his cousin, Captain Gilbert Burnet, a dashing, ruthless soldier.

Their lifelong rivalry results in treachery, betrayal and a desperate struggle for survival.