Katie Morag

Charming adaptation of Mairi Hedderwick's book series, about the resourceful, red-headed Katie Morag McColl and her home on the island of Struay (actually Lewis). Katie's parents run the village shop and post office, where she lives with brother Liam (a worryingly docile child who is never out of his tiger onesie) and, later, baby sister Flora. Not afraid to tug at the heartstrings (episodes frequently dealt with loss and change and even death) this is obviously aimed at older viewers, but younger children will enjoy the occasional slapstick and beautiful scenery. A strong cast helps – Cherry Campbell is a revelation, and has impeccable support from Annie Louise Ross and Gail Watson as the two central women in her life. If the men are occasionally reduced to comic relief that's not to the series' detriment, which celebrates female solidarity, but never at the expense of family and community. Each episode concludes with Katie reflecting on the lessons of the day, before signalling across the bay to her grandmother's house: she finds it comforting, and so do we. — James

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