There are few more worrying stories of recent times than that which we publish this week regarding the number of hidden young carers in North Argyll.
It is, in fact, shocking to learn that there are more than 100, and possibly as many as 547, young carers and young adult carers aged eight to 25 in Oban, Lorn and the Isles - but only 104 of them has been referred to North Argyll Carers Centre for help.
The case study we describe this week reveals something of the enormous complexity of this issue and the challenges faced by the charity North Argyll Carers Centre, whose staff are striving to cope with such a daunting problem.