THE LOWDOWN

One year ago

Distance: 6km/3.75 miles

Ascent: 230m/950ft

Time: 3-4 hours

Grading: Rough track and hill paths, some rough, featureless ground. Short climb, suitable for most walkers, though navigation could be tricky in poor weather: if in doubt return from memorial by way of ascent. Muddy underfoot, good footwear and waterproofs recommended. Dogs under close control.

Start/finish: Car park west of Shieldaig Hotel on B8056 (Grid ref: NG 805725), accessed from A832.

Map: Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger Map 19 (Gairloch & Ullapool); Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer sheet 434.

Tourist Information: Visitscotland, Ullapool icentre, Argyle Street, Ullapool, IV26 2UB (Tel 01854 612486).

Public transport: None.

Show Us Who You Are puts 12-year-old Cora, who has autism, front and centre. Cora – who struggles to fit in and sees herself as an outsider – finds a friend in Adrien, who has ADHD, and then things get a bit sci-fi… Cora gets caught up in the weird goings-on at the Pomegranate Institute, the company Adrien’s dad set up that uses AI to create realistic holograms of people who have died. Mcnicoll gives a voice to the neurodivergent – sharing with readers what it can be like to be autistic, while emphasising all experiences are unique. The most moving sections focus on the relationship between Cora and Adrien, showing how their “different” brains make them special. However, you can’t help but feel Mcnicoll bit off more than she could chew – new developments and traumas come thick and fast, leaving less space for the personal relationships to flourish.

7/10

Afuturistic feline friend has settled in as the latest companion for people attending Kirriemuir’s pioneering dementia hub. Happy to purr contentedly while sitting on someone’s lap, the new addition to Kirrie Connections has brought companionship without the responsibility of feeding or emptying the litter tray as the hub’s first robotic pet.

It was provided by Kirrie Rotary Club through a link with counterparts south of the border and the interactive kitty has already proved a hit with all ages. Robotic cats look like a real animal and their effectiveness in helping people with dementia is well documented.

Eastenders - BBC1

Jack decides that honesty is the best policy and comes clean to Denise about Chelsea’s attempt to seduce him. However, when Denise confronts her daughter, she’s surprisingly nonchalant, blaming her parents for her actions.

Coronation Street - ITV

Steve finds Peter slurring his words and stumbling, so jumps to the conclusion he’s been drinking. Disgusted, he tears a strip off him – but after Peter is admitted to hospital, his doctor reveals his condition was caused by toxins in his system.

Emmerdale - ITV

The grave where Malone was once buried is exhumed, leaving Harriet in turmoil and prompting her to write a worrying letter to Will.

Hollyoaks - Channel 4

A mysterious stranger, later revealed to be Sami’s step-cousin Shaq, turns up in the village, apparently fleeing his wedding – and the two men who are chasing him. On his first day of hiding, he overhears a secret that could destroy a couple.

Home and Away - Channel 5

An angry Kieran begins to manipulate his loved ones, and Roo grows increasingly suspicious of his behaviour. Later, when he vanishes, Alf takes it upon himself to track Kieran down – but he ends up involved in an explosive fight.

Neighbours - Channel 5

After growing tired of her constant drastic action to avoid Melanie. She, over to Toadie’s for dinner. pestering, Paul takes meanwhile, is invited