Vintage British comedy about a bunch of on-the-run petty crooks who take to the cloth in an attempt to lay low. After pulling off a small train robbery, 'Little Walter' (Ronald Fraser) and his gang hide out, disguised as monks, in an abandoned monastery on a remote Cornish island. As they warm to their new way of life, a return to the big city begins to lose its attraction for the gang members. Their idyllic lifestyle soon becomes threatened, however, when one of their number, 'Squirts' McGinty (Bernard Cribbins), starts placing bets on the dogs, causing the local police to become a mite suspicious...

After 18 years in prison, convicted murderer Nicky Dyden (Billy Connolly) is now on the outside and beginning a promising career as a sculptor - a skill he perfected during his time behind bars. However, not everyone is convinced that Dryden has turned over a new leaf and, when the ex-con is spotted on the streets again, his arresting officer Keltie (Ken Stott) sets out to track him down. Are Keltie's suspicions correct or is the enigmatic Dryden just the victim of a copper who can't let go?